Eye Affections

Any serious trouble in connection with the eyes must always receive the most expert care and attention without any delay. There are, however, some eye conditions to which reference can be made here with advantage.
Black specks before the eyes
It is not at all an uncommon experience to notice small black specks or twirligigs apparently floating in front of the eyes. More¬over they change position readily with every movement of the eyes or head. They seem more obvious some days and less noticeable at other times.
These specks and spirals rejoice in the name of muscae volitantes and have been attributed to various causes without much confir¬matory evidence. In any case they are of little significance and can be disregarded. If especially troublesome a few doses of Agaricus CHINA, NUX VOMICA, or PHOSPHORUS, 30 or 6, according to genera! indications, may afford relief.
Bloodshot eye
Inflammations of the eye, whether superficial or deep, are accom¬panied by redness, often of a dusky hue, as well as by pain and
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distress. These call for treatment by an eye specialist. But occasionally, often without obvious cause, a flaming patch of red discoloration may be observed to one or other side of the pupil and iris. This is due to a haemorrhage beneath the conjunctiva and outside the actual eyeball. It is somewhat alarming in appear¬ance but more unsightly than serious in significance.
A few doses of ARNICA 30 or 6 will speed recovery and allay any pain that may be present. If absorption of the blood is delayed LEDUM may be substituted for the ARNICA.
Eye strain
This is a rather vague term and usually refers to a sore, tired sensation in the eyes, attributed rightly or wrongly to over-use. It is, of course, necessary to check the vision for any error of refrac¬tion which may need correction by glasses. There may be occupa¬tional causes related to the type of work engaged in, or the lighting of the room in which the work is carried out; and it may be possible to make adjustments in respect of such causes of strain.
Remedies which may help in this condition (6 two or three times daily for a week or two, till relief is obtained) are as follows :
AGARICUS letters seem to swim or move when reading; twitching in lids; eyeballs oscillate from side to side; may see double.
CAUSTICUM vision dim; film before eyes; desire to close eyes; lids feel heavy; eye muscles weak.
GELSEMIUM vision dim; eyeballs sore, especially on moving them; eyelids droop, feel very heavy; possibly double vision.
JABORANDI (PILOCARPUS) eyes tire easily; sensation of heat and burning; indistinct vision; contracted pupils; white spots before eyes.
NATRUM MURIATICUM eyes give out while reading or sewing; letters or stitches 'run together'; eyeballs feel too large; objects appear ringed with fiery zig-zags; hot tears stream down face when reading; lids feel gritty; spasmodic closure of lids.
PHOSPHORUS vision obscured by mist, or veil; red mist or black spots before eyes; eyes tire easily on use; sees better by shading eyes with hand.
RUTA weakness of vision with blurring; eyes ache while in use; eyes feel hot and burning, especially in evening; eyes water; green halo seen round artificial light; spasm of lower lids.
Lachrymation
A watery or other discharge from the eye calls for expert atten¬tion, especially if severe or persistent. As an immediate measure pending fuller investigation one or other of the following remedies may be given (a few doses of 30 or 6 till better):


ARSENICUM ALBUM much burning in eye; discharge which is hot and excoriating ; intense photophobia.
ALLIUM CEPA streaming eyes and nose, associated with much sneezing; discharge makes nose sore but not skin around eye.
EUPHRASIA eyes water all the time; discharge is burning and acrid; constant blinking.
PULSATILLA profuse yellow discharge, which does not excoriate the skin; WORSE in warm room; lids sore.
For bathing the eye either EUPHRASIA or HYPERICUM can be used as lotion (two drops of the mother tincture to the eye-bath of water).
Quivering Lids
Sometimes a sudden quivering or twitching is felt in one or other eyelid. This is a distressing sensation and seems to occur for no apparent reason. It usually passes off quite quickly and is not a cause for alarm. Various remedies are recommended in this condition, among them AGARICUS, BELLADONNA, CALCAREA CARB. and CICUTA (6 two or three times a day for a few days).
Styes
Recurrent styes on the eyelids will call for careful assessment on constitutional lines by a homoeopathic physician. Various remedies may have to be considered but in many cases GRAPHITES, PULSATILLA or SULPHUR will give relief, 30 for a few doses or 6 twice a day for a longer period.
As a local application a compress of HYPERICUM lotion (ten drops of the mother tincture to the half pint of water) should be helpful.