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I have unusually red eyes a lot of the time. My eyes are tired, bloodshot and slightly yellow. I was wondering how I could clear my eyes naturally without using conventional eye drops? Naturopath's Answer
The yellow and bloodshot discolouration is worth having investigated by your Doctor as it could be a symptom of something larger.
It is also important to mention general eye health and vision problems. Having your eyes checked with an optometrist or a specialist will also be useful to identify any other problems that might be occurring in your eyes and compounding the tiredness and redness.
You have not mentioned that you suffer from dryness so hopefully your eyes are well lubricated. However if you have been using conventional eye drops you may not be aware if you have dryness as well.
In naturopathy and other complementary disciplines the eyes are viewed as being able to tell the practitioner a great deal about the overall state of health of the individual. This is then considered in relation to the overall presentation and symptoms in other body systems to come up with a treatment plan.
The following are basic suggestions made on the assumption that the redness and tired eyes are an individual symptom and there are no underlying major health concerns.
Allergies and seasonal hayfever need to be considered in a red and inflamed eye. If you are suffering from allergies addressing the causes and supporting general immune function are necessary to reduce the allergic response. Often this requires a multi-faceted approach suggested by your Naturopath.
Vitamin C plays a role in immune function and maintaining blood vessel integrity.
Omega 6 Fatty acids from sources like Evening primrose oil may help to lubricate the eye when taken in supplement form.
Bilberry is an important herb high in antioxidants that improves blood vessel tone and has also been touted to improve visual acuity when used over a period of time.
Zinc is an essential nutrient involved in immune function it is also indicated in the prevention of many eye disorders including macular degeneration.
Cod Liver oil is used for it high Vitamin A and Vitamin D content and is an invaluable remedy for everything from immune function, upper respiratory support, tissue and wound healing as well as being a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Eyebright is a herb that can be used diluted in an eyebath to help reduce redness and improve general eye health. The herb is also an invaluable remedy when used internally for upper respiratory support and mucous membrane support (mucous membranes are the lining our eyes, nose, mouth, throat, vagina etc) .
The information presented on this page has been prepared by a fully qualified naturopath and is for educational purposes only. It does not take into consideration your specific circumstances and is not intended to replace the services of a health practitioner. Any application of the material in this text is at the reader’s discretion and sole responsibility. If you have a persistent health condition or your symptoms are severe please consult a qualified healthcare provider.