Conjunctivitis or Eye Flu

Causes & Symptoms of Conjunctivitis  

A highly contagious disease, conjunctivitis is the swollenness or inflammation caused in the conjunctiva, a thin membrane which coats the front of the eyes. Also called 'pink eye' and 'eye flu', it is a condition when a person has sore eyes. Conjunctivitis is infectious and easily be transferable from one person to the other through direct contact. Symptoms for conjunctivitis are inflammation caused on the eyeball and underside of the eyelids. It also causes eye pain, burning, blured vision, feeling of dryness and discharge of a sticky fluid. On a severe stage, it also forms pus over and under the eyelid. The main cause of conjunctivitis is unhealthy and unhygienic state of living but since it is transferable, it may also be caused because of someone in the vicinity has it. However, it is treatable and can be cured using home remedies. Check how to cure conjunctivitis naturally.

The infection occurring in the conjunctiva that lines the eyelid is called conjunctivitis. Popularly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis mostly occurs due to an allergic reaction or an infection. The inflammation that results from it causes swelling of the small blood vessels, which, in turn, gives a pink or red cast to the white portion of the eyes. A highly contagious disease, conjunctivitis can spread from one person to other through direct contact. Overcrowded places, dirty surroundings and unhealthy living standards worsen the ailment. In the following lines, we have listed the various causes and symptoms of conjunctivitis.  

Causes Of Conjunctivitis

• Direct contact with an infected person 
• Overcrowding  
• Unhygienic surroundings  
• Eyestrain  
• Bacteria  
• Virus  
• Irritating substance or material in the eyes
• Allergies   
• Ophthalmia neonatorum  
• Environmental factors, such as smoke, dust, or pollen  
• Chemical splash in the eye  

Symptoms Of Conjunctivitis

• Eyes turn reddish  
• Itching in the eyes  
• Watery secretion from the eyes  
• Pus formation in the eyes  
• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid  
• Increased amount of tears  
• Thick yellow discharge from the eyes, which crusts over the eyelashes, especially after sleep  
• Green or white discharge from the eye  
• Burning eyes  
• Blurred vision  
• Increased sensitivity to light  
• Inflamed eyes   

Home Remedy For Conjunctivitis 

• One of the effective remedies for curing conjunctivitis is to mix 2 tsp. chamomile flowers and 1 tsp oregon grape root in 2 cups of boiling water. Once cooled, strain this mixture and use it as an eye wash.  

• Sliced potatoes would also be beneficial in curing conjunctivitis. Peel the potato and cut it into thin slices. Apply on the affected area of the eye.  

• Prepare a tea using goldthread leaves and use it as a eye wash. Not only does it cure the swollenness caused and the infection, it also relieves a person of the pain.  

• An excellent eye wash for treating conjunctivitis would be to prepare a decoction using handful of dried coriander in 60 ml of water. It relieves a person of the pain and lessens the swelling as well.  

• Increase in the consumption of vitamin A and B2 helps in curing conjunctivitis. The foods rich in Vitamin A are whole milk, yoghurt, butter, carrots, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, mangoes, and papaya whereas green leafy vegetables, almonds, citrus fruits, bananas and tomatoes have high content of vitamin B2.  

• Indian gooseberry juice has medicinal properties which cure conjunctivitis. Prepare a cup of this juice and add two teaspoons of honey. Consumption of this juice two times everyday would be beneficial.  

• Carrot juice also is effective in treating conjunctivitis. To enhance the efficacy of this, add spinach to it. Mix 200 ml of spinach juice with 300 ml of carrot juice. Another combination of raw parsley juice 200ml, mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice also has therapeutic properties and provides relief.  

• Sterile cotton ball and dip it in warm water. Use this to take away the crust formed on the eyelashes. Warmly compress the cotton against the eye to provide relief.  

• Another remedy for conjunctivitis, would be apply poultice yogurt on the infected area of the eye. It would heal the itchiness caused. 

Orbital Cellulitis

ORBITAL CELLULITIS

Orbital Cellulitis most often presents with symptoms similar to preseptal cellulits such as red and swollen eyelids, but also includes pain, blurred or double vision, fever, headache, and a red eye. These conditions refer to an inflammation and infection of the tissue and skin that surround the eye. Your baby won't be able to tell you if his eye hurts, but if his eyelid is swollen and red, call his doctor right away. Both of these conditions are serious and require immediate medical attention by your child's physician. This infection usually results from the spread of another nearby infection such as conjunctivitis or sinusitis. Treatment is with antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage. The most common location of a subperiorbital abscess is along the medial orbital wall. Orbital cellulitis is an inflammation of the soft tissues in the orbit of the eye posterior to the orbital septum.

Orbital cellulitis affects the eye socket (orbit) as well as the skin closest to it. A CT scan confirms the diagnosis and may further be necessary to rule-out a foreign body in the orbit (eye socket). Periorbital cellulitis is a serious but treatable infection of the tissues around the eye. Preseptal and orbital cellulitis are 2 distinct diseases that share a few clinical symptoms and signs. Periorbital cellulitis is more common in younger children than adults. Pre-septal cellulitis involves the area from the skin of the eyelid to the bony area that encloses the eye. Orbital cellulitis is an acute infection of the tissues immediately surrounding the eye, including the eyelids, eyebrow, and cheek. The medial orbital wall is thin and perforated not only by numerous blood valveless vessels and nerves but also by numerous other defects (Zuckerkandl dehiscences) .

Causes of Orbital Cellulitis

The common Causes of Orbital Cellulitis:

• Stye on the eyelid.
  
• Injury to the area.
  
• Infections that spread from the bloodstream.
  
• Bug bite or sting to the eyelid.

Symptoms of Orbital Cellulitis

Some common Symptoms of Orbital Cellulitis:

• Bulging eyes
  
• General malaise
  
• Eye may appear red.
  
• Decrease in vision.
  
• Fever.
  
• General discomfort .
  
• Shiny, red or purple eyelid
  
• Painful swelling of upper and lower eyelids

Treatment of Orbital Cellulitis

• Your child may be admitted to the hospital for antibiotics through an intravenous (IV) catheter. Hospitalization also allows for close evaluation of your child and the condition.
  
• Antibiotics are given to treat the infection. They will be started immediately, even before results from the laboratory have come back. Antibiotics are generally given by mouth for three weeks. If the infection is serious, the first week of antibiotics will be given through an intravenous drip.
  
• Consultation with an ophthalmologist (eye care specialist).
  
• Surgery may be performed to drain a collection of pus or an infected sinus cavity.
  
• Surgical drainage of the sinuses or any abscesses of the eye is sometimes needed.

RETINAL DETACHMENT

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. Retinal detachment is a serious problem that usually affects middle-aged or older people. Retinal detachment is caused by a combination of factors including retinal holes, retinal breaks or retinal tears, liquefaction of the vitreous humor , and mechanical forces on the retina , often referred to as "traction". It is the tissue that turns light INTO an electrical signal to send to the brain. The retina receives oxygen and nutrients from the underlying choroid (vascular layer) of the eye. Rays of light enter the eye and are focused onto the retina by the cornea and the lens. The retina is composed of two main parts; a central macular area and a much larger peripheral retina. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the choroid. Its job is to translate what we see into neural impulses and send them to the brain via the optic nerve .

Retinal detachment refers to separation of the inner layers of the retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE, choroid). In some cases there may be small areas of the retina that are torn. It is a problem that occurs most frequently in the middle-aged and elderly. The retina is a thin disc-shaped layer of light-sensitive tissue on the back wall of the eye. The retina produces a picture which is sent along the optic nerve for the brain to interpret. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss. The retina is a thin sheet of light sensitive nerve tissue lining the inside of the eye. The detached retina should be recognized and treated promptly.

Causes of Retinal Detachment

Common causes and risk factor's of Retinal Detachment include the following :

• Eye injury.
  
• Diabetes.
  
• High level of nearsightedness.
  
• Sickle cell disease.
  
• Cataract surgery.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Some common Symptoms of Retinal Detachment :

• Flashes of light.
  
• A sudden dramatic increase in the number of floaters.
  
• Blurred vision.
  
• A ring of floaters or hairs just to the temporal side of the central vision.
  
• Shadow or blindness in a part of the visual field of one eye
  
• Poor vision.
  
• Vision becomes blurry.

Treatment of Retinal Detachment

• In some cases a scleral buckle, a tiny synthetic band, is attached to the outside of the eyeball to gently push the wall of the eye against the detached retina.
  
• In rare cases where other types of retinal detachment surgeries are either inappropriate or unsuccessful, silicone oil may be used to reattach the retina.
  
• Retinal tears with minimal or no detachment may be treated with laser or freezing procedures. Some retinal tears do not require treatment.
  
• Pneumatic retinopexy is a newer method for retinal detachment repair. It is not suitable for all types of detachment.

RETINAL PIGMENTOSA

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Retinitis pigmentosa causes the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. There are types of photoreceptor cells: rod cells and cone cells. The rate of decline varies depending on the genetic makeup of the disorder and also varies somewhat in individuals. A light is shone in the eye and the electroretinogram records electrical changes in the retina. They can occur in very young children causing a lifetime of blindness or rob the elderly of their precious independence. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare, inherited disease in which the light-sensitive retina of the eye slowly and progressively degenerates. The rods are located in the periphery of the retina and are responsible for peripheral and night vision.

RP causes the thin layer of tissue in the back of the eye, which is called the retina, to deteriorate. Photoreceptor cells capture and process light helping us to see. As these cells degenerate and die, patients experience progressive vision loss. In the progression of symptoms for RP, night blindness generally precedes tunnel vision by years or even decades.

These regions of the retina reflect the cell apoptosis by having decreased nuclei in the outer nuclear layer. An exam of the retina is done using an indirect ophthalmoscope, an instrument that enables the doctor to examine the different parts of the eye through a dilated pupil. An exam of the retina is done using an indirect ophthalmoscope, an instrument that enables the doctor to examine the different parts of the eye through a dilated pupil.

RP is a group of inherited disorders in which abnormalities of the photoreceptors ( rods and cones ) or the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the retina lead to progressive visual loss. Histopathologic changes in RP have been well documented, and, more recently, specific histologic changes associated with certain gene mutations are being reported.

Causes of Retinitis Pigmentosa

There are various factors which give rise to the disease Retinitis Pigmentosa. RP may be caused by a breakdown in the function of the rods or the cones in some part of the retina. The retina is so complex that breakdowns may occur in a variety of ways and so RP is not a single disorder but a great number of disorders. The breakdown of cone function may be called Macular Degeneration. There are other disorders similar to RP like Gyrate Atrophy, Choroideremia etc. The common feature is the degeneration of the retina for one reason or another.

Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the diseaseRetinitis Pigmentosa are as follows:

• Vision decreased at night or in reduced lightl.
  
• Loss of peripheral vision.
  
• Loss of central vision.

Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Find effective treatment methods of treating Retinitis Pigmentosa :

• These photoreceptors developed and made the necessary neural connections to the animal's retinal nerve cells, a key step in the restoration of sight .
  
• Controversial studies have suggested that treatment with antioxidant agents may delay the disease from getting worse.
  
• There is no standard treatment for retinitis pigmentosa.
  
• A blood test must be taken to ascertain liver function and Vitamin A levels in the blood BEFORE taking this treatment.

DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

Dark circles under the eyes tell us about the health of an individual. They are produced due to overstrain, after an illness or an allergy. They can also be the result of undernourishment. But these dark circles do not produce any harm to the body. So anybody with dark circles should not worry about them. In fact, sometimes they're not even an indication of physical problems.

Dark circles can be aggravated by fatigue, allergies, overexposure to the sun, menstruation or pregnancy. But they're usually hereditary; if your parents have them, there are more chances that you do, too have them.

Dark circles are the result of the engorged blood vessels under your eyes. Because the skin under eyes is thinner than skin anywhere else on body, therefore blood vessels there are more noticeable, especially in fair skinned persons. Usually, dark circles are caused by hyper pigmentation of melanin, the substance that gives color to the skin.

In western countries, the kidneys are related to the adrenal glands and with stress levels in life being so high; these glands are very often exhausted. When these glands are weakened, allergies are prevalent.. Dark circles under the eyes are known to be a classic symptom of an allergy, together other signs including edema and fatigue.

Dark circles under eyes may also be due to aging which thins the skin around the eyes. Eight hours of sleep is essential. Do not leave cream on the skin around the eyes for long periods. Circles under the eyes can worsen in people who smoke or suffer from allergies.

HOME REMEDIES FOR DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

• Apply a cold compress this will help to constrict blood vessels and turns tissue white, and dark circles will lighten.
• Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water everyday. Put slices of raw potatoes or cucumber by closing eyes over the eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wash with warm water and apply a cream.
• Take out the juice of the cucumber. Prepare a mixture of lemon juice, lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes.
• Prepare a mixture by adding equal quantity of potato and cucumber juices. Dip a cotton swab in this mixture and put the cotton on eyelids and keep for 20 minutes. Wash your eyes with cold water.
• Prepare a mixture of lemon and tomato juice (equal parts) and apply it on the black circles 2 times a day.
• Make a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes..
• Apply crushed mint around the eye.
• Another home remedy for dark circles under the eyes is - massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bedtime daily for 2 weeks. Almond helps to remove dark circles.
• No cream should be left on the skin around the eyes for long periods..
• Rub the area with a powdered Vitamin E capsule and wash off with a mixture of honey and egg white.
• Put hot and cold clothes alternatively under eyes for 10 minutes. Then apply some almond oil on the dark circles before going to bed.
• The acupressure point for eyes is on the mount below the index finger of your palms. Pressing this mount may help.
• Dip some carrot leave in hot water and leave for a few minutes. Drink the liquid 3 times a day before meals.
• Dip cotton balls in rose water or cold water and keep under the eyes for 10 minutes.
• Make a paste of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before washing. This is an effective home remedy for dark circle treatment.
• Take some freezed parsley. Use the parsley cubes instead of eye creams to reduce the dark circles and puffiness. Parsley is packed with chlorophyll which helps fade darkness, while the ice cubes reduce the swelling.
• Takes vasoline, put it on a metal spoon and freeze it for 15 minutes. Then apply it to the eyes for a few minutes.
• Add some mint leaves, lemon juice, and salt to tomato juice and drink.
  
• Grate some cucumber and freeze in an ice tray. Massage frozen cucumber cubes onto eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles.
  
• Avoid excess of chocolates and try to take more fibres in the diet.
  
• To prevent dark circles take 2 magnesium tablets per day, especially if you're taking calcium.
• Use a sunscreen especially made for the face with a sun protection factor (SPF) to keep the sun's rays from darkening the skin under your eyes
• Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A for the treatment of dark circles under eyes.

Dark Circles under Eyes

Causes and Home Remedies

Dark circles under the eyes tell us about the health of an individual. They are produced due to overstrain, after an illness or an allergy. They can also be the result of undernourishment. But these dark circles do not produce any harm to the body. So anybody with dark circles should not worry about them. In fact, sometimes they're not even an indication of physical problems.

Dark circles can be aggravated by fatigue, allergies, overexposure to the sun, menstruation or pregnancy. But they're usually hereditary; if your parents have them, there are more chances that you do, too have them.

Dark circles are the result of the engorged blood vessels under your eyes. Because the skin under eyes is thinner than skin anywhere else on body, therefore blood vessels there are more noticeable, especially in fair skinned persons. Usually, dark circles are caused by hyper pigmentation of melanin, the substance that gives color to the skin.


In western countries, the kidneys are related to the adrenal glands and with stress levels in life being so high; these glands are very often exhausted. When these glands are weakened, allergies are prevalent. Dark circles under the eyes are known to be a classic symptom of an allergy, together other signs including edema and fatigue.


Dark circles under eyes may also be due to aging which thins the skin around the eyes. Eight hours of sleep is essential. Do not leave cream on the skin around the eyes for long periods. Circles under the eyes can worsen in people who smoke or suffer from allergies.


HOME REMEDIES FOR DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

• 
  
  Apply a cold compress this will help to constrict blood vessels and turns tissue white, and dark circles will lighten.
• 
  Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water everyday.
• 
  Put slices of raw potatoes or cucumber by closing eyes over the eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wash with warm water and apply a cream.
• 
  Take out the juice of the cucumber. Prepare a mixture of lemon juice, lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes.
• 
  Prepare a mixture by adding equal quantity of potato and cucumber juices. Dip a cotton swab in this mixture and put the cotton on eyelids and keep for 20 minutes. Wash your eyes with cold water.
• 
  Prepare a mixture of lemon and tomato juice (equal parts) and apply it on the black circles 2 times a day.
• 
  Make a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes.
  Apply crushed mint around the eye.
• 
  Another home remedy for dark circles under the eyes is - massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bedtime daily for 2 weeks. Almond helps to remove dark circles.
• 
  No cream should be left on the skin around the eyes for long periods.
  
  Rub the area with a powdered Vitamin E capsule and wash off with a mixture of honey and egg white.
• 
  Put hot and cold clothes alternatively under eyes for 10 minutes. Then apply some almond oil on the dark circles before going to bed.
• 
  The acupressure point for eyes is on the mount below the index finger of your palms. Pressing this mount may help.
• 
  Dip some carrot leave in hot water and leave for a few minutes. Drink the liquid 3 times a day before meals.
• 
  Dip cotton balls in rose water or cold water and keep under the eyes for 10 minutes.
• 
  Make a paste of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before washing. This is an effective home remedy for dark circle treatment.
• 
  Take some freezed parsley. Use the parsley cubes instead of eye creams to reduce the dark circles and puffiness. Parsley is packed with chlorophyll which helps fade darkness, while the ice cubes reduce the swelling.
• 
  Takes vasoline, put it on a metal spoon and freeze it for 15 minutes. Then apply it to the eyes for a few minutes.
• 
  Add some mint leaves, lemon juice, and sal t to tomato juice and drink.
• 
  Grate some cucumber and freeze in an ice tray. Massage frozen cucumber cubes onto eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles.
• 
  Avoid excess of chocolates and try to take more fibres in the diet.
• 
  To prevent dark circles take 2 magnesium tablets per day, especially if you're taking calcium.
• 
  Use a sunscreen especially made for the face with a sun protection factor (SPF) to keep the sun's rays from darkening the skin under your eyes.
• Eat vagetables and fruits rich in vitamin A for the treatment of dark circles under eyes.