Conjunctivitis

Certain herbs and nutrients such as Burdock, Forsythia, Goldenseal and Echinacea may help ease Conjunctivitis and preserve vision.

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is the most common eye disease in the Western hemisphere. Because of its exposed position, the conjunctiva comes into contact with more microorganisms than any other membrane. Some cases are caused by bacteria, such as pneumococcus, staphylococcus or streptococcus, although allergies and some viruses can also cause conjunctivitis. Other cases are caused by a virus called adenovirus. This virus can be spread in many ways including swimming pools, wet towels, etc. The infection usually starts in one eye and is spread to the other quite readily. It usually results in red, irritated eyes and disappears in three days to a week. If the symptoms linger, go to the eye doctor. The infection can enter the cornea and create little clouded areas that may affect vision.

• Red, irritated eyes
• "Glued" eyelids from discharges overnight upon wakening in the morning
• Sensitivity to light
• A feeling of itchiness and griminess

Conventional medicine usually prescribes sulfa-based eyedrops once other potential problems have been ruled out. These usually work within three days. If not, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. In the case of a virus, not much can be done. An old time traditional treatment is includes a 1% silver nitrate or 5% povidone/iodine solution will help eliminate the virus-infected cells by exfoliating the surface of the eye, as well as killing the virus itself.

Self Help:

Diet:

In addition to the basic Vision Diet, eating yogurt, as well as applying it in a compress to the eyes, will help alleviate conjunctivitis. The acidophilus in yogurt combats the bacterial infection. For that reason, we also suggest acidophilus supplements. Eat 1/2 cup of yogurt with the live cultures three times a day or take an acidophilus supplement (with about six billion live or probiotic organisms) three times a day.

Vitamins and Minerals:

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is especially important in promoting health in all epithelial tissues, including the conjunctiva.

Vitamin B Complex: Conjunctivis can be triggered by a vitamin B2 deficiency, but supplementing with the entire B complex can increase the availability of vitamin B2 without inducing deficiencies of the other B vitamins.