Causes of Eye Stye:
Following are the causes of eye stye:

• Accumulation of dust, oil or bacteria
• Stress
• Exposure to eye debris
• Some eye problems such as conjunctivitis
• Weak immune system
• Refractive error

Symptoms of Eye Stye:
Here are some of the symptoms of eye stye:

• Accumulation of pus in stye
• Blurred vision of afflicted eye
• Uneasiness
• Pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Tenderness
• Watery eyes
• Swelling of eyelids
• Discomfort on blinking
• Redness

Eye Stye Home Remedies:
Dandelion Tea: Bacteria are the main cause of an eye stye. Drink dandelion tea every day to improve the immunity to fight bacteria.

Warm water: This is a simple remedy. Soak a cotton ball in warm water and keep it on eyes for a few minutes. It gives relief from pain associated with stye.

Triphala water: This is another effective remedy. Take a glass of water and add a tablespoon of triphala powder to it. Mix it well and leave it for 10 – 12 hours. Strain it and use it to wash the eyes.

Coriander seeds: Take a tablespoon of coriander seeds and boil them in a cup of water. Strain the mixture and use it for washing the eyes.

Alum solution: Alum solution is another best option. This will give relief from stye. Mix 2 – 3 alum granules in a cup of water and use it for washing your eyes.

Tea bags: Take wet tea bag and place it on your eye for nearly 8 – 10 minutes. You can practice this several times a day.

Potato: Mash one potato and make its paste. Apply potato paste on inflamed eyes. This is another simple home remedy.

Turmeric: Take a tablespoon of turmeric and boil it in a cup of water. Boil the mixture until it reduces to half the quantity. Thoroughly strain this solution and use it as eye drops.

Aloe vera: Cut the aloe vera leaf into half and keep the fleshy part on affected eye.

Clove: Soak clove in water and keep it on eye. This reduces the stye pain.

Guava leaves: Guava leaves reduce the redness and pain of the stye. Keep them in warm water and later damp them. Slowly compress it on eyes.

Castor oil: Apply castor oil on eyes several times a day. Do not let the oil enter the eyes.

Egg white: Spread egg white on paper towel or cotton pad and place it on eye. This is another useful eye stye home remedy.

Conjunctivitis is a common eye ailment but it is easily curable. It is also termed “pink eye” because the eyes become red. Conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva tissue in the eyes becomes inflamed. This tissue keeps the eyes moist. Read on to know all about conjunctivitis and how to treat it.

Causes of Conjunctivitis

• Bacteria
• Virus
• Irritating substances like pool chlorine, smoke, dirt and shampoos
• Substances that can cause allergies
• Sexually transmitted infections

Though pink eye can easily spread to other people, it is not serious if diagnosed and treated promptly

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

• Reddish eyes
• Inadvertent tears from the eyes
• Yellow discharge from the eyes that creates a crust in the eyelashes especially after sleep (This symptom is most common in bacterial conjunctivitis)
• White or green discharge from the eyes
• Allergens can cause itchy eyes
• Irritants and chemicals can cause burning eyes
• Eyes become sensitive to light
• Vision becomes blurred

Consult an eye doctor immediately if you have any of the above symptoms for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Treatments for Conjunctivitis

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

This is treated with antibiotic medicines in the form of pills, ointments or eye drops. The ointments or eye drops should be applied inside the eyelids four times daily for about a week. This can be difficult to do for children. Pills should be taken for many days. Within one week, there would be improvement, but continue taking the full course of medication as advised by your doctor even if the symptoms disappear early.

Viral Conjunctivitis

Like a common cold, this type of conjunctivitis runs its course as medications do not have any effect. Conjunctivitis lasts for about a week. You can relieve the symptoms meanwhile by periodically applying cold compresses on the affected eyes.

Irritating substances

Wash your eyes with warm water to remove the irritating substance. Avoid exposing the eyes to other irritants. Within a few hours of washing, there will be improvement, otherwise consult your doctor.

Allergies

The allergen should be removed or treated with antihistamines. Consult an allergist and your eye doctor for effective medications. For relief, apply cold compresses on your closed eyes.

Sexually Transmitted Conjunctivitis

This type spreads if you touch your eyes or contact lenses after contacting infected genitals. It is treated with ointment, eye drops or oral antibiotics like pills. To prevent this form of conjunctivitis, wash your hands thoroughly as frequently as possible. If the treatment does not cure this type of conjunctivitis within three days, consult your doctor immediately.

How to Prevent Conjunctivitis

• Do not touch the eyes of an infected person.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Remove any discharge from the eyes with a paper towel or cotton ball. Then, wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water.
• Wash your towel, pillowcases and bed linens in hot water.
• Do not wear eye makeup.
• Do not share eye makeup materials with others.
• Do not wear contact lenses used by another person.
• In fact, discard contact lenses and wear glasses for additional safety.
• Do not share common articles like glasses, cups, unwashed towels etc.
• If your kid has viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, keep them at home till their ailment is no longer infectious.

Summary

There is nothing to worry about

conjunctivitis

. It is easily treatable and a little care about personal hygiene will help you avoid it and prevent it from spreading.

how to reduce under eye wrinkles

, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them.

How to Reduce Under Eye Wrinkles?

Following are some home remedies to get rid of under eye wrinkles.

Stay Hydrated:

Drink plenty of water every day. This is an essential remedy for the skin. It helps in flushing out toxins from the body and thus, keeps you fresh. Also, water aids in increasing elasticity of the skin, thus makes it less prone to developing wrinkles. You can also dip cotton balls in rose water or cold water and place them on the eyes. These are some best tips to eliminate under eye wrinkles.

Apply Cucumber Juice:

This is another effective remedy in treating dark circles and under eye wrinkles. You may keep cucumber slices on the eyes every day for about 10 – 15 minutes for tightening the skin. You may also soak cotton balls in the cucumber juice and apply it on the eyes before sleeping. You can also apply crushed cucumber over the eyes and wash it off after 30 minutes.

Egg White Remedy:

Egg is another beneficial remedy for curing several skin problems. You may apply egg white on the eye wrinkles every day. You can notice the improvement in your skin texture within a few weeks.

Choose Oils:

Several oils can be easily obtained in your kitchen. These are some of the best home treatments for wrinkles. You can choose vitamin E oil, olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil and almond oil for treating wrinkles. These are very effective in solving this problem. Dab a few drops of anyone of these oils on the wrinkles. Use your finger tips to massage gently for having a plain and tight skin.

Opt for Massage:

This is another best method for treating and staying away from the wrinkles. Massaging the skin around the eyes with moisturizing lotions or creams helps in reducing the wrinkles. You can also use milk cream every day for massaging the skin. In order to keep wrinkles away, you can opt for facial massage also.

Fruits are best:

Fruits are another best treatment option for getting rid of wrinkles under the eyes. Apple and pineapple juice are useful in giving you the wrinkle free skin. You may rub pineapple juice under the eyes and let it stay for about 20 minutes for reducing wrinkles. You can use grapes for clearing those fine lines under the eyes. Cut green seedless grapes into two halves and rub the juice over the wrinkles. This is a beneficial remedy for solving this problem.

The above mentioned methods

for reducing under eye wrinkles

are very easy and do not have any adverse effects. All you need is to be patient while trying out these methods because they take a long time for giving the desired results. You may also choose cosmetic surgery options which are available for treating under eye wrinkles. Under eye wrinkles surgery is a cosmetic plastic surgery which must be performed for enhancing the appearance of skin around eyes. This is another treatment option available for curing this problem. This is an expensive treatment, hence it is best to try inexpensive home remedies which are completely safe for the skin. Taking some necessary precautions, such as using sunglasses, avoiding sun exposure, eating fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding rubbing the eyes and using sunscreen lotions are very useful in keeping under eye wrinkles at bay.

eye care in summer

protects from harmful rays of the sun.

Eye Care in Summer:

Never think that sunglasses are sufficient to protect the eyes. Here are some tips to ensure that your eyes are safe in summer.

• Ensure that you get a health check up annually. Most underlying health conditions may predispose the eyes from damaging or in general vision problems. For instance diabetes. An yearly medical exam and also a trip to opthamologist helps in preventing disease before it sinks in.
• Also make a point that you get yours checked by the eye doctor regularly and dilate them at least once after a few visits to rule out health conditions such as diabetes. If found in the early stages, diabetes treatment aids in preventing severe complications such as diabetic retinopathy.
• Follow doctor’s advice if he suggests that you have vision problems.
• Be aware of the medications that you use because they may make your eyes sensitive to sun. Take proper precautions if you’re sensitive.
• Buy sunglasses that provide protection from UV rays.
• You must opt for glasses that cover your eyes and the surrounding areas completely.
• You must also protect your body while protecting your eyes. Always use a sunblock with at least SPF 15.
• Make sure that you wear sunglasses while driving also because the sun rays can penetrate even through the windows of the car.
• While stepping out, wear wider brim hat as it gives shade to your eyes and face as well.
• Wear protective eye wear in the winter because UV radiation exists round the year.
• While driving motorcycle, always wear protective eyeglasses. If you wear a helmet, choose one which allows you to see and also shields your eyes.

These are some tips for

eye care in summer

. Make sure that you protect your eyes from the harmful sun rays and UV radiation in summer.

Itchy Red Eyes – Causes:

Exposing the eyes to dust, bright sun, etc are the minor and most common causes of redness and itchiness in the eyes. Apart from this, a person with flu and common cold also experience watering and itching of the eyes. Following are the major causes of itchy red eyes.

Strain:

Straining your eyes constantly is the most common cause. Working on computer for long periods, reading books for hours together, etc cause straining. Insomnia or not getting proper sleep can also cause straining of eyes.

Allergies:

Allergy which is caused by airborne allergens is the most common cause. Allergies to eyes may develop by various factors such as exposure to pollutants, substances, harmful gases, dry air, mold, dust, etc. Apart from these, a few people are allergic to eye drops which are used for treating dry eyes.

Glaucoma:

This is the extreme cause of dry and itchy eyes. It is also a leading cause of blindness in many people. This condition is due to excess pressure in the eyeball, that leads to optic nerve damage. Redness of eyes, tunnel vision, blurred vision, etc are the glaucoma symptoms. If this condition is neglected, it may result in permanent blindness.

Conjunctivitis:

Inflammation of the outer membrane of the eye or conjunctiva is referred to as red eye, pink eye or conjunctivitis. This condition develops due to bacterial or viral infections. It is a contagious condition. Watering of eyes, itching, redness are the most common symptoms of conjunctivitis.

In general, eye injuries should be treated by a medical professional. There are, however, a few things you can do for yourself to treat your eyes and protect your vision. If you accidentally splash a harmful substance such as household cleaners, bleach, garden chemicals or paints into your eyes, run for the water faucet. Tilt your head so that your injured eye is closest to the bottom of the sink, hold your eyelids open with your fingers, and flush the eye with running water until the chemical has been washed out.

Treat a cut eye by securing a clean, dry pad over it. If you’ve been dealt a swift blow to the eye, cover it with a piece of cloth soaked in cold water or ice cubes. In both situations, seek medical care.

Trataka is a technique or process in yoga to improve eyesight. Sit straight. Keep an object before you (six feet away) and look at it without winking your eyes until tears start rolling from your eyes. Trataka cleanses your eyes, strengthens your eye muscles, improves your vision and soothes your mind.

1. Open your eyes wide and look up for 5 seconds.
2. Close your eyes tight for 5 seconds.
3. Repeat this 5 times.
4. Hold your head straight.
5. Look to the right for 5 seconds.
6. Look to the left for 5 seconds.
7. Look up for 5 seconds.
8. Look down for 5 seconds.
9. Repeat this 5 times.

• Blink your eye repeatedly until your eye becomes moist.

• Sit straight and look forward. Rotate your eyes clockwise first and then anticlockwise.

Unlike the yogasanas, these eye exercises can be practiced anywhere and anytime.

When doing these exercises, keep your eyes open and don’t move your head or body. Keep your spine erect. Hands on the knees and head straight. The whole body must be motionless. Do not move anything except eyes.

Eye Exercises:

1. Stand and raise your eyes to find a small point that you can see clearly without straining or moving your head. Look at this point each time you raise your eyes.

Then lower your eyes to find a small point on the floor which you can see clearly while glancing down. Look at it when lower your eyes. Keep your breathing normal.

2. Look up by moving your eyes as far as you can, and then downwards as far as you can. Repeat this three to four times. Blink a few times quickly to relax the eye muscles.

3. Now do the same, using points on your right and left side, at eye level. Keep two pencils on each side as points at the eye level. You can use your fingers also for this. Look to the right chosen point, and then to the left. Repeat this four times. Blink several times, then close your eyes and rest.

4. Now choose a point you can see from the right corner of your eyes when you raise them, and another point that you can see from the left corner of your eyes when you lower them, by half closing the lids. Look at the chosen point in the right corner up and then to the one in left corner down. Repeat this four times. Blink several times. Then close your eyes and rest.

5. Now do the same in reverse, by choosing a point in left corner up and right corner down. Repeat four times. Then Blink several times. And close your eyes and rest.

6. Take a pencil, or use your finger, and hold it under the tip of your nose. Then start moving it away, without raising it, to a distance where you can see it clearly without any blur. Then slowly move the pencil nearer to your nose and then move it farther away, and keep looking at it. Then blink a few times.

7. Close your eyes tightly, so that the eye muscles contract. Hold for three seconds, and then let go quickly. This exercise lets your eyes relax. Blink your eyes a few times.

8. Then do this exercise called ‘palming’, that relaxes and soothes the tired eyes. It is an ideal way to finish off the eye exercises. This is also good for preserving eyesight. This exercise also has a beneficial and relaxing effect on the mind.

Briskly rub your palms to heat them and place the cupped palms over your eyes. Place your hands over your eyes for several minutes. Then rub again and repeat. Keep the neck straight and don’t bend your head. Deep breathe, while palming.