Home Remedies for Eye Problems

Many eye problems require the medical knowledge that an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) has from years of clinical and surgical training. But there are eye problems that you can treat safely at home, as long as they are relatively simple.  

In an article on geteyesmart.org on this topic, the American Academy of Ophthalmology gives a list of a few problems that can respond to home treatment, with some tips on home remedies.

Black eye: If you are suffering from black eye, you can generally be treated at home. To reduce the swelling and ease pain, apply an ice pack to the eye for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, once every hour. If you don't have an ice pack, use a bag of frozen vegetables or ice cubes wrapped in cloth.

Eye allergies: Just as you can get nasal allergies, you can get eye allergies that leave your eyes red, itchy and teary. Limiting your exposure to the source of your allergy — whether its pollen, pets or mold — can help relieve symptoms. There are ways to minimize its effect with eye allergy treatments.

Stye: A stye may look nasty, but it's usually harmless and goes away within a week. You can treat it at home by running a washcloth under warm water, wringing it out and placing it over your closed eye.

Pink eye (Conjunctivitis): Most cases of pink eye are caused by a virus and so don't respond to antibiotics. Viral conjunctivitis will disappear on its own. You can minimize the discomfort of conjunctivitis by applying cool compresses to the eye.

There are some eye problems, however, that you should never try to treat on your own like blurriness, double vision, pain in your eyes and serious eye injuries. If you experience any of these, don’t take it lightly. Seek medical attention right away.

Your eyes are the windows to the world, but negligence and improper care can take a toll on your eyesight. 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore® keeps you updated on eye health news and various tips about eye care.