Walter Livingstone asked:

If your eyes feel tired and sore in the morning you may need to consider using an eye care product. If you are fed up with having tired looking eyes in the morning there is a solution. Using eye care products can help alleviate the effects of ‘morning eye’. A good natural eye care cream will also help to remove puffyness and darkness under the eyes. Certain eye care products help to envigorate and brighten the skin, making them perfect for morning eye care usage.

Using products with natural moisturizers in them will help to hydrate the skin around the eyes in the harsh environment of everyday life. Skin needs to be well hydrated to maintain its healthy glow and appearance. Skin especially needs to be protected from the sun for example to keep it from dehydrating. Regular usage of eye liner and mascara can have detrimental effects on the eyes in the long term if not used in conjunction with a cleansing and moisturizing product at least some times. Makeup used around the eyes can sometimes clog pores and cause various problems if not cleansed on a regular basis. It is therefore necessary dependent on the amount of makeup you use to use an eye care product regularly.

Eye care products with astringent properties can help reduce the visible signs of aging around the eyes. Astringents such as can be found in Daisy and Rose are great for eye care products as they help to tighten the skin. When the skin around the eyes tightens it effectively removes the visible wrinkles and lines from the skin making the skin appear younger and more fresh looking. Expensive cosmetic surgery often serves exactly the same purpose to pull the skin slightly tighter over certain areas of the face, and body, to remove lines and make them appear more youthful.

The face and eyes in particular are sensitive areas and can be affected badly by using cheap chemically based eye care products. Why compromise on your skin when you could use a fully natural product with ingredients that have been tried and tested, for the most part, for centuries. Naturally derived ingredients offer complex mixes of beneficial oils, sugars, proteins and vitamins all of which are beneficial to the sensitive skin around the eyes.

An example of a top quality fully natural eye care product is Jurlique’s eye care gel. For more information on this fantastic product please visit – http://www.jurliqueeyecaregel.info

Peter sams asked:

Severe problems with eyes should always be referred to a specialist, but alternative therapies can support orthodox treatment and may be very useful in conditions that affect the eyelids and tear glands. When treating infections and inflammations of the eyes, wash your hands between treating each eye, and use fresh materials so that you do not transfer infection from eye to eye.

There is a family of viruses that are all called herpes virus. Two of these viruses can cause infections in the eye, which is called herpetic eye disease. These two viruses are not the same virus that causes ******* herpes, and herpetic eye disease is not a sexually transmitted disease.

One virus that causes herpetic eye disease is called the vermicelli-zoster virus. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox and also the nervous-system disease known as “shingles.” When this virus affects the eye, it is called herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

The other virus that causes herpetic eye disease is called herpes simplex type 1. Herpes simplex type 1 is the same virus that causes cold sores on the lips and mouth. In the eye, it usually causes an infection of the cornea. This infection is called herpes simplex keratitis.

Prevention is the key

Working on a table with proper distance between object and eye.

Wearing protective glasses while welding, working at very high temperatures, with chemicals, in contact sports.

Wash eyes with lots of water, if any foreign body or chemical enters.

Never instill any ‘drops’ without doctor’s advice. Read labels on medicine bottles carefully. Always keep medicines in a separate cabinet, so no confusion can ever arise.

Apply ice or cold compress for a black eye. This decreases the bleeding and swelling.

Home Remedies for Eye Problems

Mix one part of rose water and one part of lime juice. Store in a bottle and use it as an Eye drop this is very useful home remedy for eye care.

Triphala is a good herbal eye tonic. Steep one tablespoonful of powder in an 8 ounce glass of water overnight. In the morning, strain the infusion through a clean cloth. The resultant tea is used to sprinkle over the eyes or used in an eye wash

Avoid Jams, cakes, pastries, white sugar, white bread, confectionery, tea, Coffee, meat, fish, and eggs play havoc with the digestion and the body and should therefore be avoided.

Medications: Medications which cause dilation of blood vessels cause dark circles under eyes. Dilated blood vessels allow more blood to flow through them and these blood vessels look prominent through under eye skin which is very thin.

Bathe your eye for 10 minutes several times a day with cotton wool that has been soaked in warm water. This can help the stye to come to a head and discharge any pus that may be forming inside.

A handful of acacia or guava leaves that have been warmed in water can be placed on a damp cloth. This is an excellent compress which will reduce the redness and swelling caused by eye styles.

Aloe leaves are known for their healing properties and these can also be used in herbal remedies for eye stye cures.

Nathan Mathew asked:


With the fall of age, most body parts need greater attention. The drought of ageing is such that body begins to lose the bounce it once had. All that was within the realms of possible suddenly becomes improbable and even impossible. We fight till we can but finally give up. Enhanced care, drugs, and surgeries can perhaps still help living beings get on with the equation of time. Eye is one such part which needs utmost care. We can’t obviously let the light of life go away from us.

In youth, eyes shelter themselves adequately against the oxidizing agents but with the passage of time the oxidative pull begins to get worse. Oxygen along with sunlight oxidizes cells through chemical reactions. Lens cushions the retina against any excess amount of solar radiation. It bears the largest brunt. The oxidizing agent paralyses the operations of enzymes thus nipping the metabolism in cells. When we age, blood circulation in the body decreases, eyes pray for essential nutrients but it does not happen that way. This causes the eye to get disease prone. One such common eye disease is cataract.

Cataract covers the lens of the eye making vision vague. The lens as we know is made of water and protein. With age, the cumulative protein gets denser and creates haziness in vision. So we can conclude that cataract is the result of natural process of ageing. Sometimes both the eyes get drawn to cataracts; this is a more severe situation. At other times the protein completely shrouds the iris leading to a near-full vision loss. Symptoms for cataracts are spread out. Cataracts can come with haziness of visions or even double vision. Sometimes it causes living beings to see an ambiguous diffused halo around a light surface. This experience is similar to seeing a light bulb with watery eyes.

Pets are just as prone to cataracts as humans and they suffer more silently. Their voices are miffed and with the cloudy eye, their zeal for life gets further shattered. Cataract surgeries for pets include removing the natural clouded lens with a new artificial lens. The surgery is done applying local anesthesia and takes less than an hour. There are also various eye drops available which use the formula of Carsinosine to fight ageing of eye. It treats senile cataracts by increasing lens transparency.

A product for pet cataracts doing the rounds these days is Bright eye drops for Pet cataracts. Its usage is certified by American associations. It is a non-toxic, completely hypoallergenic drop and does not contain animal ingredients. It protects the eye against the free radicals( the oxidizing agents) with its amalgam of agents of anti-glycation, lubricants, and agents of oxidation. The first one frees sugar from protein and thus protects the tissue. The last protects the lipolytes in the eye against any damage. It is advisable to give a couple of drops to the pets daily. With more severe symptoms persisting, the dosage can be increased in accordance.

Gerhard van Staden asked:

Let us start with some basic anatomy….. no there is no tests at the end and I am not going to ask any questions. I just feel that for you to understand the effect of Diabetes on the eye, you need to know what the eye looks like and how it functions.

The eye consist mainly of a ball of jellylike substance (vitreous humour), which is securely fit in the eye case in the skull. Most part of the body of the eye is hidden with only a small percentage of the eye that is visible. In the front, there is a lens, which can change shape and length in order for the eye to focus, and behind the lens is an opening where the light is allowed to pass through. This opening is called the pupil.

Inside the eye, at the back of the eye, there is a network of capillaries and light sensitive tissue, pretty much the same idea as an old camera….. the life before we went digital.

At the centre of the retina, we find the Macula. This is a very small area, almost like the size of a pinhead, and is the most specialized part of the eye. In order for us to see, we need to have the light focus perfectly on the macula which also enables us to see very small and fine detail. The rest of the retina gives us peripheral vision, enabling us to see on the side.

Diabetes is a very non sympathetic condition and does not spare anything, including your most valuable asset….. sight!!

Diabetic eye diseases may include:

Cataract

Cataracts develops early in the life of diabetes sufferers which causes clouding of the lens of the eye.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an increase in fluid pressure in the eye that leads to damage of the optic nerve and eventually loss of vision. A sufferer of diabetes, is nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma as other adults.

Diabetic Retinopathy

One of the worst visual impairment conditions that can occur from Diabetes is most probably Diabetic Retinopathy. This is damage to the blood vessels in the retina which supply the eye with blood, nutrients and oxygen.

Diabetic Retinopathy causes hanges in the blood vessels in the retina and is the most common eye disease in adult diabetics. It is also the major cause of blindness in American adults.

Diabetic retinopathy can have different effects on different sufferers as everyone is unique and does not respond to the disease the same way. In some people, the capillaries may swell and leak fluid, while in other people abnormal new blood vessels will grow on the surface of the retina. This will either cover the retina and the macula or allow parts of the eye to die, thus permanent irreparable damage. To have perfect vision, we need a healthy retina.

In the first stage of diabetic retinopathy, the sufferer may not notice any changes in vision, but after a while it can get worse and cause complete loss of vision and this always affects both eyes.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

We discern four stages in diabetic retinopathy:

Stage 1: Mild nonproliferative retinopathy

Small balloon-like swellings appear in the blood vessels in the retina. This is known as microaneurysms.

Stage 2: Moderate nonproliferative retinopathy

During this stage some of the blood vessels that supplies the retina with blood, nutrients and oxygen gets blocked off completely, causing ischemia (lack of oxygen) to certain parts of the retina. As we all know, oxygen is much needed to sustain life and keep organs functioning.

Stage 3: Severe nonproliferative retinopathy

As the disease progress, many more blood vessels gets blocked off which is now depriving the retina of a great deal of nutrients and oxygen. The body in response will send a signal to the brain that it is in need of more oxygen, which the body will then grow more blood vessels on the retina to rectify the ischemia.

Stage 4: Proliferative retinopathy

At this stage the new blood vessels are growing on the retina in order to restore blood supply to the affected areas of the retina. This is a very advanced stage of the disease and the blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. These blood vessels grow along the retina and the clear gel inside the eye. This blood vessels are very thin and do not cause any visual impairment, but if they leak blood, severe vision loss and blindness will be the result.

When bleeding in the eye occurs, it can either bleed into the vitreous humour or onto the macula, causing macular edema. Macular edema can happen at any time during the disease.

If the bleeding is inside the vitreous humour, the sufferer can have total vision loss and the retina may even become detached from the surface. This is known as retinal detachment.

With treatment most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be prevented if diagnosed early enough.

It is vital to go for an annual visual acuity tests and dilated eye exams. It is also vital to have the pressure inside your eye tested to make sure that there is not an increase in eye pressure. Even if there is no sign of retinopathy, it is still imperative to have your eyes tested as changes can occur without the sufferer experiencing any symptoms.

Your optometrist will check your eyes for early signs of:

Leaking blood vessels Damaged nerve tissue Any changes to blood vessels Retinal edema (swelling)

Prevention is better than cure, so take care of your eyes…. It is your most priced possession.

Dev Sri asked: Not many people know there is a specialized branch in Ayurveda that deals with eye care. Eye care or netra chikitsa comes in Shalakya Tantra (Urdhwanga chikitsa in Malayalam), one among the eight branches of Ayurveda. Shalakya tantra is Ayurvedic equivalent of ENT. It deals with all diseases affecting parts above neck. Ancient Ayurvedic texts describe 76 types of eye diseases. Though there are not cure to all of the diseases, there are solid directions to effectively manage any eye condition and manage better eyesight. Here are some eye care habits you can follow to better manage your eye health. The first principle is not to stare at any object for long times or don’t try to figure out a distant object in such a way that you tire your eyes. Blinking of eye is a natural process and don’t suppress the feeling to blink your eyes. Don’t attempt reading or watching TV in dim light or too bright light (bright sunlight). Being part of your body, your eyes too require rest. Don’t cut in on the time to sleep. Splash your eyes with fresh water early in the morning and several times in the day. Staring computer screen for longer hours is a recipe for eye fatigue. Take a break from your job every 30 minutes. Close your eyes for a few seconds or take a small walk. Diet Food items rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin A is necessary to maintain good eye health. Carrot and other colored vegetables are good sources of vitamin A. Apples, ***** peas, radish, whole wheat bread, etc too are good for eyes. Drink lot of water during the day time. Don’t allow dehydration to happen. It tires your eyes, just as it does to your body.

Dr.Anna Hardy asked:

The importance of the eyes to the human beings need not be emphasized. Eyes provide us sight, without which life would lose most of its meaning. But at the same time, eyes are constantly exposed to the external environment. Almost everyone in the world overworks their eyes, due to which several eye problems occur. The list of problems that occur with the eyes is almost endless. But even then, are we taking adequate care of our eyes? This article provides some valuable tips on care of the eyes.

Some common eye problems are:- § Cataract § Conjunctivitis § Glaucoma § Myopia § Stye

Let us see how Ayurveda helps in the prevention and treatment of these eye problems.

Useful Herbs for Eye Care

- Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) Aniseed is especially beneficial in the treatment of cataract. The powder of its seeds is taken in a tablespoon quantity every morning and evening.

- Babul (Acacia arabica) Babul can treat conjunctivitis. A paste of the babul leaves must be applied on the eyes before going to sleep at night. It will lessen the itchiness, wateriness and the redness of the sore eyes.

- Carrot (Daucus carota) Carrot is so beneficial in eye care that its virtues are taught to school students also. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which is the precursor of vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is responsible for strengthening the eyes and protecting them from night blindness.

- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) A decoction prepared from coriander can be used as an eyewash for people with conjunctivitis. There will be immediate reduction in the burning, redness and swelling of the eyes.

- Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) The Indian gooseberry, known as amalaki, is exceptional in treating ocular problems. It can bring relief in both conjunctivitis and glaucoma. Its juice is taken with honey for better effects.

- Indian Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) The Indian Sorrel has exceptional properties in the treatment of several eye problems. A few drops of the juice of its leaves must be put in the eyes everyday to keep them free from strain. They can also be a good prevention for cataract.

- Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Marigold is taken as a cold infusion for washing eyes that are stressed. This brings a cooling effect to the eyes. It is also effective in cases of conjunctivitis.

- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) The raw juice of parsley is effective for eye care. It can relieve the eyes of problems such as corneal ulcers, cataracts, weak eyes, conjunctivitis, opthalmia and sluggishness of the pupils.

Dietary Tips for Eye Care

Vitamin A is directly responsible for the strength and power of the eyes. Hence, foods that are rich in vitamin A must be taken. Vitamin A is contained in all orange and yellow colored vegetables such as carrots, oranges and pumpkins and in fruits like mangoes, papayas and oranges. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, coriander and colocasia also contain vitamin A. Among non-vegetarian foods, fish, liver and eggs contain vitamin A. Dairy products also have a fair amount of vitamin A in them.

The risk of cataracts is reduced by including vitamin C in the diet. Foods containing vitamin C such as Indian gooseberry, guava, orange, lemon and tomato, capsicum, cabbage, etc. must be included in the diet.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Eye Problems

The triphala lotion is generally prescribed in case of eye problems. Triphala is a mixture of the two myroblans – belleric and chebula – and the Indian gooseberry. The choorna is soaked in water for half an hour to get the lotion. This lotion is used as an eye-wash three or four times in a day. Triphala lotion has potency to treat eye problems such as cataract and conjunctivitis. Washing the eyes regularly with triphala also keeps them moist and healthy.

Chandrodaya vati is another important Ayurvedic preparation used in eye care. It is made into a paste in water and then applied externally over the eyes. Chandrodaya vati is beneficial in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis and cataract.

Home Remedies for Common Eye Problems

- Prepare a mixture of equal proportions of aniseed powder and coriander seed powder. Mix it with an equal weight of unrefined sugar. Take it in doses of 12 grams every morning and evening. It is beneficial for people with cataract.

- For people with weak eyesight, taking a mixture of the juices of raw parsley and carrots in a glassful amount everyday will provide great benefits.

- Mix one part of sugar with three parts of coriander. Grind them into a fine powder and put this mixture in boiling water. Keep it covered for one hour. Then filter it with a clean cloth. Use the filtrate as eye drops. This is an effective treatment for conjunctivitis.

- Immerse almonds in milk and keep them overnight. In the morning, mix this milk with sandalwood. Apply this on the eyelids. This reduces redness of the eyes due to exertion.

- Inhaling the odors of sesame mixed in honey reduces the excessive wateriness of the eyes.

- Take two small pieces of cardamom. Grind them and dissolve the powder in milk. Boil the milk and drink it at night. This makes the eyes healthier.

Alien asked:

Sulfacetamide (Albucid, Locula, Optisol; 10%. 20% or 30% drops), Chloramphenicol (Paraxin, Vanmycetin 0.4% drops), Gentamicin (Genticyn, Garamycin 0.3% drops)

Any of the above drugs may be selected by the treating doctor depending on the sensitivity of microorganisms present. Chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, sulfacetamide are cheaper and effective drugs against majority of eye infections. After application of eye ointments, the drops are ineffective until some time has elapsed hence ointments should be preferably used at bedtime. It also avoids the visual difficulty faced after application of the greasy ointment.

If there is any irritation in eye due to drug, the doctor should be informed immediately. In non­specific irritations of eye due to environmental factors, zinc-boric eye drops (ANDRE, OPTIVIZ) can be used.

Antibiotics and Corticosteroids Mixtures

Mixtures containing fixed dose combinations of antibiotics and corticosteroids such as Genticin-B, Dexosyn-C, Mycidex, Pyrimon should be avoided for ordinary problems. They reduce resistance to infection and may worsen the condition if the invading organism is resistant to the antibiotic. Due to anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroids, the patient gets immediate relief but may have a prolonged illness in some cases. Their long-term use can lead to glaucoma and cataract, which may result in blindness. These should ordinarily be used by a specialist who can judge the situation.

Cataract

Cataract is loss of transparency of the lens. The most common cause of cataract is ageing. It may also be due to injury to the eye, serious infection of eye and diabetes mellitus. The chief symptom of cataract is a gradual dimming of vision, although vision may be better in dim light. An entirely opaque lens is ‘ripe’ while the one that retains some transparency is ‘immature’.

Treatment of ‘immature’ cataract during the period of dimming of vision comprises of wearing accurately prescribed spectacles. Ultimate treatment of cataract is removal of this opaque lens surgically and implanting an artificial lens after proper calculation of its power. One should not wait for the maturity of lens.

Spectacles will be required for near vision after cataract surgery and may also be required for distance vision for any residual correction.

Dry Eye

It is a common cause of eye discomfort affecting majority of people specially those working on computers and those wearing contact lens. Patients complaints of redness and straining of eye along with dryness. There occurs deficiency of tear film in such people, which should be treated with tear supplements. This conditions is more commonly seen in computer operators due to decreased eye blink rate so they are advised to blink more frequently. Some commonly available tear supplements are Hydroxypropyl cellulose (MOISOL) and methyl cellulose (TEAR CELL).

Alien asked:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the tension inside the eyeball is raised causing damage to the innermost layer of eye i.e. retina. Major risk factors for the development of glaucomatous optic nerve damage include the level of intra-ocular pressure, increasing age, black race, and a family history of glaucoma. Broadly it can be classified into various types, of which POAG (primary open angle glaucoma) is an acquired condition, with onset typically after age 40. It affects both eyes but often asymmetrically. In early and even moderate stages, the patient is usually asymptomatic. Abnormalities of the visual field occur. In more advanced stages, the patient may become aware of an enlarging scotoma (defect in visual field) particularly when it encroaches on fixation. If left untreated, vision may be lost. Angle-closure glaucoma can be devastating. Bilateral blindness can result in 2 to 3 days from onset. The patient has severe pain in eye associated with redness, watering. Glaucoma can be treated with long-term medication or surgically.

Commonly used drugs for chronic open angle glaucoma are Timolol meleate 0.5%, Betaxolol 0.5% (Batapress, Optipress), Levobunolol 0.1 % (Betagan), Brimonidin eye drop 0.2% (Alghagan) or Latanoprost eye drop 0.005% (Xalatan) used once a day. Pilocarpine 2% and for Acute glaucoma (narrow angle type) 3-4 times a day provides quick relief and reduction of eye-pressure. Surgical iridectomy (removing a piece of iris) or laser iridotomy (cutting a hole in iris) provide drainage pathway to the eye fluid so pressure decreases.

Injuries

Injury to eye can be due to roadside accidents, bums or foreign bodies.

Roadside Accidents: The eyes are generally well protected by the bony structure surrounding them. A large blunt object can only damage the eyelids. A black eye (black area below or on side of the eye), which commonly occurs during roadside accidents, is due to blood beneath the thin skin of the eyelids and is usually associated with swelling. The vision may be unaffected. Cold compresses for 10 minutes every hour for a day will reduce the swelling. If the injury is severe or the vision is affected, the doctor should be consulted.

Burns: Chemical substances bum the eye and require thorough washing with water. No time should be wasted in finding a neutralizing agent for the chemical substance. The most effective method is to plunge the entire face into a container of water and then open the eye under Water. Heat burn requires treatment similar to chemical burns. Bandaging or closing both the eyes will prevent the movement of eyeballs and reduce pain. No lotion should be used for washing the eyes.

Foreign Bodies: Dirt or dust in the eye may cause sensation of a foreign body being in the eye. It may come out by washing the eyes. If not, it should be removed by a physician.

Vitamin-A Deficiency

Vitamin-A deficiency most commonly affects the eyes, the clinical condition being xerophthalmia and kratomalacia. Xerophthalmia denotes the entire spectrum of ocular abnormalities arising from vitamin A deficiency. These include night blindness, retinopathy, conjunctival and corneal xerosis (dryness), corneal ulceration and softening. The eye instead of looking clear appears muddy and wrinkled. It becomes dry, hazy (like ground grass) and unwettable. There may be grayish, triangular, foamy, rough and raised patches on the eye (Bitot’s spots). These are present in both the eyes. It may progress to ulcer in the eyes. Severe deficiency of vitamin A may cause keratomalacia (softening of a part or the entire eyeball). The process is rapid one. It is a grave medical emergency and if not treated promptly, may lead to necrosis and perforation of the eye ball resulting in blindness. It is often associated with protein energy malnutrition.

Treatment: The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency can be prevented by adequate nutrition contained in the food mentioned above. A shortcut has been suggested by National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, which consists of the administration of 200,000 IU (66,000 ug) of vitamin A every six months to pre school children who are unlikely to have adequate nutrition. Excess of vitamin A may produce toxic effects. Commonly available preparations such as AQUASOL-A contains 50,000 IU of vitamin A.

Alien asked:

is a major health problem the world over. It is estimated that there are approximately 50,000,000 blind persons in the world and another approximately 150,000,000 with diminished or impaired vision who are unable to function effectively. The factors causing visual disability, are discussed briefly in this chapter.

Eye Infections

Allergic Conjunctivitis

It could be seasonal keratoconjunctivitis seen usually in summer season. Patient has complaints of eye discomfort and redness. It is treated with combination of anti-allergies and low dose of steroids. Another form of allergy is due to use of medication, for which the use of drug should be stopped.

Bacterial Infection

Infection of eye membrane (conjunctivitis) and eyelids (blepharitis) occurs both in children and adults. It may occur in a newborn baby (neonate) too. It is usually caused due to poor hygiene. There may be discharge from the eye. The eyelids may adhere to one another and it may be difficult to open the eye. Sometimes a boil may appear on the eyelash with pus in it (stye). In this case eyelash should be removed by a specialist followed with proper medication. Fomentation of the eyes with boiled water and a pinch of boric acid powder also provides some relief. Infection of cornea may be a severe condition, which if left untreated

may cause complete blindness, hence it requires aggressive treatment.

Fungal Infection

Injuries due to wooden stick or a thorn or vegetable matter can cause fungal infection. This a corneal ulcer, which is difficult to treat and needs a specialist’s intervention.

Viral Infection

Trachoma is a contagious inflammation of eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which is not a true virus but resembles a virus in its properties. It develops slowly. Initially, the patients feels irritation in the eye with redness. This may progress to the formation of small follicles and scarring of eye membrane. If cornea is involved, it may lead to blindness.

Epidemic kertoconjunctivitis is usually seen after rainy season and is caused by Adenovirus. It has no specific treatment. Herpes, a common viral infection, can also cause corneal ulceration.

Treatment of Eye Infections

The treatment of infection of the eye requires anti-microbial eye drops or ointments.

Carolina Eye Prosthetics asked:

The days of daily removal and cleaning of an artificial eye are gone. Most ocularists and ophthalmologists now agree that if the ocular prosthesis is not causing irritation to the eye socket, it should be left alone. It may however require occasional lubrication depending on the function of the tear ducts or other natural lubricants of the eye socket. In fact, it is now believed that handling the ocular prosthesis can increase the chance of infection in the eye socket and it should only be handled when necessary. However, the area surrounding the eye socket such as the eye lid and eye lashes should be cleaned daily in order to remove buildup of the eye’s natural secretions. When cleaning this area, it is important to remember to only rub from the outside of the eye towards the nose as not to displace the prosthesis.

Occasionally, the artificial eye can acquire protein build ups or other irritants that may require its removal and cleaning. Before you begin this process, make sure that you thoroughly wash your hands with an antibacterial soap in order to lessen the chances of infecting the socket. To remove the artificial eye, simply pull down the lower lid and look upward, which allows the prosthesis to slide out over the lower lid. Make sure you place the palm of your free hand on your cheek to catch the prosthesis as it slides out. There are also suction cups available to help with the removal of an ocular prosthesis if needed. Once removed, it is important to keep the prosthesis wet with either water or saline solution so that any secretions on the eye do not dry on the surface of the prosthesis. The artificial eye can be gently cleaned with an antibacterial soap and a cotton ball. It is important not to use rubbing alcohol or any other harsh chemical as they can damage the ocular prosthesis.

If needed, you can also clean out the eye socket with a saline solution while the artificial eye is removed. Using a bulb syringe and sterile saline solution, both of which can be found at any drug store, simply flush the eye socket to remove any debris or build up. Once the artificial eye and the eye socket have been cleaned, the ocular prosthesis can be reinserted by holding the prosthesis between the thumb and forefinger and with the other hard, lift the upper eye lid. Then, gently slide the top of the prosthesis under the upper eye lid and hold in place while you pull down the lower eye lid with your other hand so that it slips over the bottom of the prosthesis holding it in place.

Other than occasional at home cleanings, it is important to return to your ocularist once or twice a year in order to have the eye checked, professionally cleaned and polished. This will help ensure a natural look and increase the longevity of the ocular prosthesis. Plus, the ocularist will be able to detect the subtle changes in the prosthesis or socket that may require an adjustment.

Artificial eyes are relatively low maintenance prosthesis and actually benefit from limited care due to decreased risk of damage or infection. For this reason, an ocular prosthesis is easy to care for and maintain and although the concept of removing an eye might seem overwhelming at first, it is rarely required and quality ocular prostheses are designed for simple removal, insertion and maintenance.