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Computers can damage your eyes! Between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen experience eye trouble, including pain and eye strain.
How to work at your computer without straining your eyesWith the limited number of conventional treatment options available for blepharitis, many people turn instead to natural and herbal home remedies. Eye health advisor Lucy Hill discusses what natural and herbal remedies you can try, as well as what conventional treatments are available and what research is being done into the condition.
Blepharitis is often a chronic condition involving the inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. This can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including sore, itchy and dry eyes as well as crusty and sticky discharge.
For many, this condition may be recurring and severe, requiring constant care and attention to manage and prevent symptoms. The good news is that there are loads of natural home remedies that can help this condition, as well as some herbal remedies that may alleviate your symptoms.
It is important to get a confirmed diagnosis of blepharitis from your GP before trying to treat it yourself, as the symptoms of blepharitis are also similar to those of conjunctivitis or an allergy such as hayfever.
One of the most commonly recommended treatments for blepharitis is simply good hygiene.
Often a three-part care regime is recommended, which should be repeated twice daily to clear up symptoms, and after that once daily will help prevent symptoms from returning.
Aside from this cleaning regime, there are a number of additional measures you can take to maintain good eye hygiene, including:
Many people turn to home remedies and natural treatments to treat blepharitis as there are not many conventional treatments available, and those available do not always suit everyone. Simply maintaining good hygiene is not enough, in some cases, to control symptoms.
There are a number of home remedies available, and each individual will find differences in their effectiveness. It is worth trying a few to see which one works for you.
Home treatments for blepharitis include:
Some individuals have reported positive results when using Euphrasia to treat the symptoms of blepharitis. This herb has been used for hundreds of years to treat eye problems, earning its alternative name ‘Eyebright’.
We recommend using Euphrasia in eye drop form, such as the A.Vogel Eye Drops. These drops help treat dry, tired and irritated eyes, so may help to treat some of your blepharitis symptoms.
You could also try our Vision Complex, for general eye health and good vision. It contains lutein and zinc, which are both vital for the maintenance of good eye health and healthy vision, and they also encourage the absorption of vitamins A and C, which are also vital for healthy eyes.
It is important to consult your doctor if you think you have blepharitis to get a confirmed diagnosis. This is because the symptoms of blepharitis could also be caused by other factors such as allergies or conjunctivitis, and you need to ensure you are getting the correct treatment.
If your symptoms are indeed caused by blepharitis and are not clearing up with regular cleaning, then your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotic cream or ointment which you can apply to the affected area. Occasionally GPs may prescribe a course of antibiotic tablets.
There are huge amounts of recent studies into both existing and new treatments for blepharitis, many of which are showing positive results:
There are many studies and clinical trials in operation to try to find a better cure for blepharitis. Have a look on the NHS website for a list of trials happening around the world.
Computers can damage your eyes! Between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen experience eye trouble, including pain and eye strain.
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