CONJUCTIVITIS(EYE INFECTION)

Primarily caused by infection or allergy, conjunctivitis, better known as "pink eye," is the most common form of eye irritation. It is an inflammation of the white of the eye and eyelid lining, or, technically, inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane that lines the inner eyelids and sheaths the globe of the eye. When the eye becomes irritated or infected, the tiny blood vessels dilate and turn red.

Symptoms
• redness in the eye
• a burning sensation
• sensitivity to light
• dryness
• grittiness sensation
• pain
• itchy, scratchy feeling
• watering of the eyes
• sometimes a sticky discharge that may cause eyelashes and eyelids to become stuck together while you are asleep

The eyes are red and swollen and seem to be filled with sand. Before you treat conjunctivitis, rule out other eye problems with similar symptoms, such as allergies, irritation from chemicals (especially chlorine in pools), and exposure to cigarette smoke and smog. Generally, mild cases of conjunctivitis should go away in several days without treatment; however, it may be uncomfortable, so the remedies discussed below should prove helpful.

Causes
• Bacterial (staph or strep), usually from hand-to-eye contact, and viral infections associated with a cold, sore throat, cold sore or measles, are causes for most conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis tends to clear up of its own accord. Bacterial conjunctivitis produces a yellowish discharge that becomes crusty when you sleep. If the bacterial infection doesn't clear up after four days of using the compresses and other remedies listed below consult your doctor.

• Overuse of nonprescription eyedrops used to soothe your eyes has recently been discovered as one of the triggers of conjunctivitis. Many over-the-counter eyedrops contain decongestants that help shrink swollen blood vessels in the eyes. Allergic reaction to these ingredients can trigger conjunctivitis. With continued use, you may experience a "rebound" effect, where your eyes will get redder and sorer - just the opposite of what you are trying to do. Look for an alternative without the decongestants, preferably saline drops, also known as "artificial tears."

• A deficiency of vitamin A may leave you more susceptible to infections and other eye problems.

• Allergies can cause persistent eye irritation. If you get conjunctivitis frequently, it is most likely an allergy, usually from certain foods. Modifying your diet will help both conditions. Conjunctivitis caused by allergies will cause puffy eyelids and leave the eyes red, with a gritty feeling, but there will be no discharge.

• Allergic rhinitis, can be seasonal (hay fever), due to pollen, or year-round, due to house dust, molds or pets. Having itchy, watery eyes, and stringy (clear, not crusty) pus are common symptoms. The eyelids are often swollen. In this case, use an antihistamine and a cool compress to relieve the itching.

• Contact lens use may be a cause of infection. The lenses may trap particles in the eye or the lenses may be worn too long, causing irritation. Poor hygiene may cause infection, so make sure you follow proper storage procedures and clean your lenses very well and wash your hands before touching your lenses. Some people are allergic to contact lens cleaning solutions, especially those containing the preservative Thiomersal.

• Certain illnesses, such as measles, may trigger conjunctivitis.

• Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause conjunctivitis.

• The inside of the eyelids may develop bumps which cause irritation and the eyes will become bloodshot. There may be a feeling that there is a foreign body in your eye.

• Foreign substance in the eye.

• Cosmetics, such as mascara.

• Injury to the eye.

Tips
• Conjunctivitis is highly contagious, so don't share towels, pillows, or washcloths with someone else.

• Change your pillowcase frequently.

• If you get conjunctivitis or other eye irritations frequently, we suggest you boost your immune system to help ward off infections.

• Wash towels and bedding frequently.

• Needless to say, keep your fingers out of your eyes!

• Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes, preferably with antibacterial soap.

• If the conjunctivitis comes at the same time as a cold sore, check with your doctor to make sure the herpes virus has not infected your eye. This is very important.

• If you use makeup, discard any you were using when you got conjunctivitis, as it is probably contaminated and is an easy way to spread it to your other eye.

• Look for berberine as an ingredient in herbal or commercial eyewashes. It is antibacterial and is quite effective against both staph and strep infections, two major causes of conjunctivitis.

• If you normally wear contact lenses, switching to glasses will help the infection clear up faster. The contacts hold the germs in the eye and are also irritating to the eye.

• If you go out in bright sunlight, wear sunglasses. Sunlight irritates pink eye.


Supplements and the Immune System
As with any infection, you will need to enhance your immune system to fight the infection. You may want to take the following supplements:

PCO, also known as OPC, (oligomeric proanthocyanidin) is a very powerful antioxidant derived from pine bark needles or grape seeds. It works as an anti-inflammatory and against allergic reactions. When taken with vitamin C, the PCO enhances its effectiveness. The PCO will enhance healthy tissue growth. Take 100 mg 2x daily.

Vitamin A 100,000 IU daily for up to a month (do not exceed 10,000 IU if you are pregnant). This will enhance your immune system.

Vitamin C 2-6,000 mg daily in divided doses. Vitamin C promotes healing.

Zinc 50 mg daily. Also enhances the immune system.

The best approach to treat conjunctivitis is to keep the eye as clean as possible and wash the infection away using one of the eyewashes mentioned below. It may take a few days, but following these tips should clear it up.

Making Eyewashes
Boil the water for 10 minutes to sterilize it, then follow the directions for making an eyewash. Be sure to sterilize the eyecup or eyedropper for 10 minutes in boiling water before each use. Also, do not use either the eyecup or the eyewash in both eyes; use fresh eyewash and sterilize the eyecup again. Conjunctivitis is very contagious, so you must take all precautions to keep from spreading it. Using one of the eyewash remedies below, strain the mixture through a coffee filter, a gauze pad or cheesecloth. Put the eyewash into the eyecup and lower your eye to the cup; roll your eye around and blink so that the wash will coat the entire eye. Keep the eye immersed for a minute.



Using Compresses
• Using a compress will soothe the eye. To make a compress, use a cotton pad or very clean cloth. Choose a remedy discussed below and apply a compress for at least 10 minutes as often as needed.
• One of the easiest remedies to use is the warm or cold water compress. Put a warm compress over the eyes to soothe them and prevent the sticky discharge from drying on the lashes, and a cold one to shrink the swelling and reduce the itchiness. Do this for five minutes three or four times a day.
• Many of the bacteria that cause conjunctivitis don't like heat, so a hot compress will be helpful. Use a hot compress three to four times a day, but test the temperature before putting it over the eye to make sure it isn't too hot.

CAUTION: You may have an eye condition called iritis or uveitis, an inflammation of the iris. Do this simple test to see if you have conjunctivitis or iritis: cover the inflamed eye with your hand and shine a penlight or flashlight directly in to your good eye for three seconds. If you do not feel any pain, you probably have pinkeye. If you do feel pain in your covered eye, you probably have iritis and should see your doctor at once. By shining the light in to your good eye, the pupils of both eyes will contract, and pain will generally indicate that you have iritis.

See Your Doctor
• If you don't have iritis and your problem continues for three or four days with little improvement. Conjunctivitis can lead to potentially serious eye damage.
• If you have severe pain or blurred vision, go to your doctor at once.
• If the discharge becomes worse.
• If the redness is due to an eye injury.

Conjunctivitis should clear up by itself in a few days to two weeks, depending on the cause and severity. The remedies listed below will soothe the pain and itching and speed the healing process.

source:health911.com


To be continued..............