Stye is an acute supportive inflammation of gland of the Zeis or Moll.1 The glad of Zeis is present in eyelids both upper and lower eyelid.
Etiology or Cause:
- Predisposing factors.
- It is more common inchildren and young adults (though no age is bar) and in patients with eye strain due to muscleimbalance or refractive errors.
- Habitual rubbingof the eyes or fingering of the lids and nose
- chronic blepharitis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Metabolicfactors: chronic debility, excessive intake ofcarbohydrates and alcohol also act as predisposingfactors.1
- Causative organismcommonly involved isStaphylococcus aureus.1
Symptoms
These include acute pain associated with swelling oflid, mild watering and photophobia.1
Signs
- Stage of cellulitis is characterized by localized, hard, red, tender swelling at the lid margin associated with marked oedema.1
- Stage of abscessformation is characterized by avisible pus point on the lid margin in relation tothe affected cilia.Usually there is one stye, but occasionally, thesemay be multiple.1
Treatment
Hot compresses 2-3 times a day are very useful incellulitis stage. When the pus point is formed it maybe evacuated by epilating the involved cilia. Surgicalincision is required rarely for a large abscess.Antibiotic eye drops (3-4 times a day) and eyeointment (at bed time) are advised in conventional medicine to control theinfection. Anti-inflammatory and analgesics relievepain and reduce oedema. In recurrentstyes, try to find out and treat the associatedpredisposing condition.1
Scope of Homeopathy
Homeopathy offers many medicines which help control the stye in acute stage as well as remove the tendency to recurrent styes. Self-medication is not advisable. Medicines need to be taken under the guidance of an expert homeopath.
Medicines for Stye3
Lids swollen, red, œdematous, everted, inflamed; burn and sting. Conjunctiva bright red, puffy. Lachrymation hot. Photophobia. Sudden piercing pains. Pain around orbits. Serous exudation, œdema, and sharp pains. Suppurative inflammation of eyes. Keratitis with intense chemosis of ocular conjunctiva. Styes, also prevents their recurrence.
Argentum nitricum
Inner canthi swollen and red. Spots before the vision. Blurred vision. Photophobia in warm room. Purulent ophthalmia. Great swelling of conjunctiva; discharge abundant and purulent.
Belladonna
Throbbing deep in eyes on lying down. Pupils dilated (Agnus). Eyes feel swollen and protruding, staring, brilliant; conjunctiva red; dry, burn; photophobia; shooting in eyes. Exophthalmus. Ocular illusions; fiery appearance. Diplopia, squinting, spasms of lids. Sensation as if eyes were half closed. Eyelids swollen. Fundus congested.
Euphrasia officinalis
Catarrhal conjunctivitis; discharge of acrid matter. The eyes water all the time. Acrid lachrymation; bland coryza (Opposite: Cepa). Discharge thick and excoriating (Mercur thin and acrid). Burning and swelling of the lids. Frequent inclination to blink. Free discharge of acrid matter. Sticky mucus on cornea; must wink to remove it. Pressure in eyes.
Hepar sulphur
Ulcers on cornea. Iritis, with pus in anterior chamber; purulent conjunctivitis, with marked chemosis, profuse discharge, great sensitiveness to touch and air. Eyes and lids red and inflamed. Boring pain in upper bones of the orbits. Eyeballs sore to touch. Objects appear red and too large. Vision obscured by reading; field reduced one-half. Bright circles before eyes. Hypopion.
Mercurius Solubilis
Lids red, thick, swollen. Profuse, burning, acrid discharge. Floating black spots. After exposure to glare of fire. Parenchymatous keratitis of syphilitic origin with burning pain. Iritis, with hypopyon.
Natrum muriaticum
Feels bruised, with headache in school children. Eyelids heavy. Muscles weak and stiff. Letters run together. Sees sparks. Fiery, zigzag appearance around all objects. Burning in eyes. Give out on reading or writing. Stricture of lachrymal duct with suppuration. Escape of muco-pus when pressing upon sac. Lachrymation, burning and acrid. Lids swollen. Eyes appear wet with tears.
Pulsatilla pratensis
Thick, profuse, yellow, bland discharges. Itching and burning in eyes. Profuse lachrymation and secretion of mucus. Lids inflamed, agglutinated. Styes. Veins of fundus oculi greatly enlarged. Ophthalmia neonatorum. Subacute conjunctivitis.
Silicia terra
Angles of eyes affected. Swelling of lachrymal duct. Aversion to light, especially daylight; it produces dazzling, sharp pain through eyes; eyes tender to touch; worse when closed. Vision confused; letters run together on reading. Styes. Iritis and irido-choroiditis, with pus in anterior chamber. Perforating or sloughing ulcer of cornea. Abscess in cornea after traumatic injury. Cataract in office workers.
Staphysagria
Heat in eyeballs, dims spectacles. Recurrent styes. Chalazae (Platanus). Eyes sunken, with blue rings. Margin of lids itch. Affections of angles of eye, particularly the inner. Lacerated or incised wounds of cornea. Bursting pain in eyeballs of syphilitic iritis.
Dietary Suggestions
There is no specific diet for acute infection of stye. For people with recurrent stye should work on face and hand hygiene and also take diet for improving immunity. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants which improve immunity and prevent bacterial and viral infections.Foods to be avoided are Sugary and starchy foods.
References
- Khurana A K. Comprehensive Ophthalmology. 4rth rev.ed. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers; 605p.
- Lilienthal, S. Homoeopathic therapeutics. Philadelphia: Boericke& Tafel; 1907
- Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.; 2011