Styes, Trauma and Eye strain

General measures:
Cleaning the eyelids helps to release the blocked duct. Obviously one must be careful, but my optician recommends gently wiping a cotton bud soaked in a solution of baby shampoo. It sounds frightening and stingy, but it works a treat. Remember it must be baby shampoo (it is alkaline as are the surfaces of your eyes).

Homeopathic treatment
The classic remedy would be Graphites. It is linked to in-growing eyelashes, blephritis (inflammation of the eyelids), and eczema; all common causes of styes. But it is not a remedy you are sure to find in your chemist or health food store. If you are prone to styes it may be as well to acquire some from a specialist homeopathic supplier. Having said that, Staphysagria is the remedy for recurrent styes.
Sulphur is indicated for styes which are swollen and red, causing burning and itching. The lids in this instance would be more oily than dry. Pulsatilla styes are bland, pussy yellow affairs that cause little pain and are usually associated with colds and general “unwellness”.
Trauma
General Measures:
Make sure that there are none of the danger signs as at the beginning of this article. A cold compress will help to prevent swelling, or better still a compress of witch hazel lotion (Hamamelis).
Homeopathic treatment
Of course, Arnica is the gold standard for trauma injuries, and certainly, if that’s what you have, give it; however, eye injuries respond better to Hamamelis for the bruising and Ledum if the skin has been cut. Again these are not that easily found, but if you are expecting to have eye surgery they can be taken as prophylactics. This includes use for cosmetic surgery, as a colleague of mine will attest to!
Eyestrain
General Measures
Don’t do too much and whatever you’re doing, do it in good light! If you suffer from eye strain regularly it’s important to have your eyes checked by an optician in case you need glasses or are not wearing the correct prescription. The ones you can buy from many chemists etc. are for short-term use only. They do not replace the need for proper optical assessment.
Homeopathic treatment:
As for all muscular strains, Ruta grave would be the remedy of choice. Twice daily dosing should be sufficient and it should not be used long term.
Contact lenses
Just a brief note about contact lenses: they should be removed whilst treating any eye conditions, though the remedy itself will not damage them.
Particles stuck under a lens and rubbing the cornea can quickly lead to corneal ulcers. The lens should be taken out as soon as possible. Calendula can be used to soothe these minor irritations. The lens should be left out for at least a week to allow the corneal surface to repair. Any major irritations, or where the lens was not removed quickly, need to be examined by an optician.
And for those horrid occasions when a soft lens folds itself up and hides under the upper lid, causing jammed-shut eyes, sweating and panic – if you can see to find your remedies, use high potency Aconite. Failing that, in my experience, sitting on the side of the bath and singing to yourself usually works!