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Pink Eye in Babies and Beyond

by Lauren Feder, M.D.

My daughter was given eye drops after birth which caused an infection and goopy eyes. Is there homeopathic medicine that can be used to treat eye infections in babies?

This is one of the frequent inquiries I receive from concerned parents in my office and on my website. Fortunately, most mild cases of conjunctivitis in babies can be treated with homeopathy and a few simple home remedies.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a common complaint in babies and children and can be caused by bacteria, virus, allergy, foreign body, blocked tear duct, or trauma. The term implies an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and eyeball), when inflamed it appears 'pink.' The bacterial and viral infections are highly contagious. Signs and symptoms include red bloodshot eyes, tearing, swelling and inflammation of the eyelids, yellow-green discharge and sensitivity to light.

Blocked Tear Ducts
Plugged tear ducts occur in 6 percent of all babies and can be a problem up to one year of age. It can affect one or both eyes. By three to four weeks of age a newborns' eyes begin to tear. Normally, tears drain from the tiny tear ducts located at the inside corners of the eyes into the nose. A thin membrane covers the duct, and usually opens after birth. The blockage occurs when the membrane fails to fully open, and tears become backed up. The condition can recur, though usually by six month of age the duct stays open. In standard medical practice, persistent conditions are treated with a minor office procedure using a wire probe, however, some may require surgery. Common symptoms of blocked tear ducts range from persistent tearing and can lead to infection with redness and discharge.

Infections in Newborns
Ophthalmia neonatorum is an infection of the eye in newborns which is contracted from an infected mother's birth canal. The sexually transmitted diseases (STD), gonorrhea and chlamydia, are usually the cause. In most cases, there is an inflammation of the eyelid and cornea which appear within two or three days after birth. Gonorrhea has been known to cause blindness, conjunctivitis and other infections.

In most medical facilities, preventive eye treatment for newborns is placed in baby's eyes after birth. Erythromycin ointment is the current medicine of choice. In the past, silver nitrate was used. In most states, routine eye prophylaxis whether delivery is vaginal or caesarian is required by law. The antibiotic ointment is considered harmless by the medical profession. However, many parents in my office practice refuse eye treatment. Some of the more common reasons include no known history of gonorrhea and other STD's, the adverse effects from antibiotics, and blurring of baby's vision.

Current research suggests that routine use of antibiotics to prevent eye infections in newborns may not be necessary. A clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute was done to compare the effectiveness of silver nitrate drops, erythromycin ointment, or no medication in preventing eye infections. In the trial, the rate of eye infections in newborns was similar in both groups. It was concluded that no eye treatment was reasonable for women who tested negative for sexually transmitted diseases while pregnant.

The ointment can cause baby's eyes to be red or swollen. Silver-nitrate drops were discontinued because it irritated babys' eyes. The antibiotic ointment occasionally causes infection with the characteristic 'goopy eyes'. In addition, the ointment can blur baby's vision, which can impede the bonding between parents and baby. For parents who have chosen to have the eye drops, administration of the ointment can be delayed an hour or more in most medical settings.

Homeopathic Remedies
Two-month old Alec was brought into the office by his mother who was worried about his constant leaking of his right eye. She had tried eye massage, and breast milk 'eyedrops' to no avail. His eye was beginning to become inflamed and he woke up for several mornings with crusty eyes. During the consultation, mom reported that he was constipated for days at a time, and sweat while nursing and during sleep. Alex was gaining weight remarkably and life in the family was going smoothly. Compared to her older son, mom boasted that Alec was able to occupy himself with excellent focus. Alex was prescribed Calcarea carbonicum once a day for 3 days, and within a week his eye infection, and the constipation had cleared There are many choices of remedies that can be used for stricture of the lachrymal duct. Calcarea carbonicum matched the totality of Alec's symptoms. Calcarea carbonicum babies are large, sweat easily and prone to constipation. They are independent, stubborn and can play on their own with deep concentration.

Christopher, 3 months old, woke up suddenly in the middle of the night screaming with a high fever. His face was beet red and his right eye was bloodshot. His parents noted that he was unusually sensitive to light, noise and being touched. On examination, his right eardrum and eye were inflamed. In addition, the eyelids were swollen and the pupils were dilated. Christopher was given Belladonna. Belladonna is associated with acute sudden onset of intense symptoms.

Homeopathic Treatment for Conjunctivitis: Home Treatment

Wash eye with cool water using washcloth three times a day.
Warm teabag compresses on each eye (chamomile is a favorite)
Euphrasia (Eyebright) eye drops several times a day
Eye Massage for blocked tear ducts can open the membrane. Locate the tear duct in the inner corner of each eye. Gently massage in an upward direction toward the nose for one minute. Do this several times per day.
Breast milk. For generations, mothers have been known to squirt breast milk in baby's eyes, as well as nose. It works!

Many patients come to my office looking for a homeopathic remedy that is natural and safe without any side effects. Mild pink eye symptoms respond well to homeopathic treatment. In the DrFeder.com Natural Pharmacy we are pleased to feature a wide selection of homeopathic remedies. Most of them are in a 30C strength which is suitable for both children and adults. To order a remedy in a different strength or inquire about a remedy that isn't listed, please contact us. We'll find it for you!

For chronic conditions, I recommend constitutional homeopathic treatment, in which a homeopathic remedy is chosen by a trained homeopath after a lengthy interview. This method can be very effective for the long-term resolution of chronic conditions.

For more information on homeopathy and homeopathic remedies see What is Homeopathy? and Directions for Use.

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