AN EYE ON GOOD HEALTH
(Page 2 of 3)
August/September 1996
By Charles Dickson, Ph.D.
Eye strain is a common ailment which affects most of us at times. Strain causes eyes to become irritated. One good remedy for eye irritation is to add a half teaspoon of calendula to a cup of boiling water. Let it stand until cool. Strain well and place in a sterile bottle. Dip a cotton ball in the calendula solution and place over the eyes for 10 minutes in a compress.
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Another remedy for relief from eye irritation is to put one drop of castor oil in each eye. It relieves pain fast. So does slicing a cucumber and placing the slices over the eyes. Cucumber has the ability to refresh the eyes and relieve the puffiness around them. Finally, you can soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and cover the eyes for 10 minutes. Witch hazel (Hamamelis water) is a natural astringent obtained from the common tree of the same name, which has the ability to relieve irritation caused by tired or strained eyes. If you're an extra conscientious student, and staring for long hours at that algebra or Latin book is beginning to bother your eyes, these remedies are not guaranteed to help you pass the upcoming exam, but they can relieve the eye irritation that could hamper your performance on the test.
Sometimes we also have to deal with those telltale bloodshot eyes. This condition may cause us to be accused by our friends of engaging in wild parties, and while such may be the case in some instances, bloodshot eyes can result from many factors. One of these is, curiously enough, the use of many of the commercial eyedrop preparations. Many of these preparations contain preservatives which can further irritate sensitive eyes, causing them to appear red or bloodshot.
Bloodshot eyes can be dealt with using simple preparations which can be made at only a fraction of the cost of commercial stuff: One method won't cost you a dime. Apply to the eyes alternating hot and cold compresses using faucet water and washcloths. This results in alternating dilation and constriction of blood vessels, which serves to stimulate circulation and relieve the too-much-party-last-night look in your eyes.
