Supportive Role of Homeopathy for Corneal Ulcer

Corneal ulcer refers to an open sore or erosion forming on the cornea. Cornea is a transparent part covering the front portion of the eye including pupil, iris and the anterior chamber. Homeopathy for corneal ulcer can help manage the signs and symptoms and halt further progression of the condition.

The cornea helps to refract or bend light and focus light that enters the eye. The ulcers can be superficial (in this part of epithelium is lost) or deep (these extend into stroma and can also cause intense scarring and corneal perforation). 

Causes

It is mainly caused by an infection that can be bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal or chlamydial. 

First among them is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) leading to keratitis (inflammation of the cornea).  Second one is an amoebic infection known as acanthamoeba keratitis. It is frequently seen in persons who wear contact lenses. Third in the list is fungal infection that leads to fungal keratitis. It usually follows an injury to the cornea from a plant material. People with weak immunity are at risk of it.

They can also occur from trauma/injury to the eyes (usually from vegetable matter and chemicals). 

Apart from above, other reasons include wearing contact lenses without proper sterilization or for very long time, deficiency of vitamin A, and inflammatory disorders.
Lastly, certain eye conditions can lead to corneal ulcers. It includes entropion (an eye condition in which the eyelid tends to fold inward leading to irritation of the eyes along with discharge and swelling). Second condition is corneal dystrophy (a rare hereditary disorder in which there occurs abnormal deposition of substances in the cornea of eyes). Another condition called keratoconjunctivitis sicca can also be a cause. It refers to a condition characterised by dryness of the eyes with attending symptoms like eye redness, irritation of the eyes, discharge from the eyes and eye fatigue.

Some of the factors that increase the risk of corneal ulcers include wearing contact lenses, having dry eyes, certain infections (like herpes zoster, chicken pox, cold sores), injury or burn to the cornea and using steroid eye drops.

Signs and Symptoms

Its signs and symptoms include inflamed eyes, soreness of eyes, pain in the eyes, blurring of vision, profuse tearing, eye discharge, pus discharge, swelling of the eyelids, white spot on the cornea, a sensation of foreign body in the eye and sensitivity to light. Additionally from an infection itching in the eyes, redness of the eyes and burning or stinging sensation in the eye may occur.

Supportive Role of Homeopathy for Corneal Ulcer

Homeopathy offers a supportive role in these cases along with conventional treatment. The homeopathic medicines though can’t cure it but help to manage its signs and symptoms and halt further progression of the condition. The homeopathic medicines for these cases are selected as per the symptom picture in every individual case. This condition is serious and can lead to vision loss and blindness. So it is advisable to take these medicines along with conventional treatment. Taking into consideration the seriousness of this condition it is also strictly advised to take any homeopathic medicine under the guidance of a homeopathic physician and refrain oneself from self medication 

1. Euphrasia – Top Grade Medicine

This medicine is prepared from a plant Euphrasia Officinalis also known as  eye-bright. This plant belongs to family scrophulariaceae. It is a well indicated medicine for cases of corneal ulcer. In cases needing it there is redness and puffiness in the eyes. Along with this there is excessive clear mucus or thick mucus like pus discharge from the eyes. Sensitivity to light (photophobia) is also marked.  There may also occur pain in the eyes when exposed to light. Burning sensation in the eyes may attend it. There is a feeling of a foreign substance in the eyes. Another accompanying symptom is redness and thickness of the eyelids.

2. Hepar Sulph – For Marked Redness and Watering Eyes

Hepar Sulph is a prominent medicine for cases where marked redness of cornea is there along with excessive watering from the eyes. It is indicated for both superficial and deep ulcers on the cornea. Additionally there is intense sensitivity to the light. Pain in the eye is also there which worsens at night time most of the time. For using it the pain can be aching, stinging or throbbing in nature. This may be relieved from warmth. Eye may also be sore to touch. There is sensitiveness to air and touch. Swelling of the eyelids is present along with above symptoms.

3. Merc Cor – For Ulcer with Itching and Burning

Merc Cor is very useful medicine when there is excessive itching and burning sensation in the eyes. Small ulcers are present on the cornea. Intense pain is felt in the eyes along with this. Eye discharge and sensitivity to light also occurs. Sometimes there is marked dryness in the eyes.

4. Arsenic Album – For Needle-like Pricking Pain in the Eye

It is a beneficial medicine when there is needle-like pricking pain in the eyes. Mostly the ulcers are present on the outer side of the cornea with elevated edges where this medicine is required. Violent burning pains in the eyes can also be present. This is mostly felt in the afternoon. Eyes are inflamed too. 

5. Calcarea Sulph – For Deep Ulcers on the Cornea

This medicine is helpful for cases in which deep ulcers are present on the cornea. Cases that need it present with thick yellow pus discharge from the eyes. The cornea looks smokey. A sensation of a foreign body in the eyes is felt. Eyes are inflamed with this. The eyes look red along with heated sensation. 

6. Merc Sol – For Profuse Watering and Burning in Eyes

This medicine is valuable to manage cases with copious watering and burning sensation in the eyes. For using it the watering may be worse in the evening time. The eyelids may stick together at night hours. With this there is itching and tickling in the eyes. This mostly worsens in the open air. Pain of shooting nature in the eyes is also present. Next there is excessive sensitiveness of eyes to light. Apart from above the eyelids are red, inflamed and swollen. There may also be ulcerations on the margins.

7. Nitric Acid – For Superficial Ulcers on the Cornea

Nitric Acid is helpful for cases where superficial ulcers are present on the cornea. In cases requiring it there is excessive eye watering, eye redness and  sensitivity to light. The eyelids are inflamed and swollen. Next burning sensation is felt in the eyes. Aching or stitching pain in the eyes may be felt too. Another symptom is a biting and stinging type of pain in the eye. Lastly the eyes may be painful and sore to touch along with the above symptoms. 

8. Pulsatilla – With Marked Eye Discharge

It is a natural medicine prepared from plant Pulsatilla Nigricans commonly named as wind flower and pasque flower. This plant belongs to family ranunculaceae. Use of this medicine is considered when there is marked discharge from the eyes. The discharge can be white or yellow in colour. It is thick.  The discharge may be better in the open air. Along with this there is great photophobia. Pain in the eye is also there. The nature of pain can be tearing, shooting or pressing type. A sensation of hair in the eye may accompany it. Lastly, there can be burning, itching in the eyes with desire to rub and scratch the eyes.

9. Natrum Mur – For Smarting and Burning Sensation in the Eyes

This medicine is very valuable for cases presenting with a smarting and burning sensation in the eyes. Sometimes a sensation of sand in the eyes is also there. This is usually felt in the morning time. Tearing from the eyes and sensitivity to light are also marked.  In some cases there is increased secretion of mucus from the eyes. The eyelids may be stuck together in the morning.

10. Kali Bichrome – When There is Stringy Eye Discharge

Use of this medicine is recommended for cases presenting with stringy eye discharges. There are multiple deep ulcers on the cornea where it is required. There is photophobia with this that can be mild or intense in degree. The eyelids may be sticky in the morning. Additionally smarting sensation may be felt in the eyes. This tends to get worse after rubbing. Heat, redness and pressure in the eyes are present. This is attended with desire to rub the eyes.

11. Silicea – With Pus-like Eye Discharge

It is a great medicine for such cases when there are prominent pus like discharges from the eyes. The discharge is quite profuse where it is required. Persons needing it also complain of eye pain. This pain can be shooting, tearing, throbbing or stinging type. Smarting sensation is present with this. The eyes are red and pressure in the eyes is felt.