Natural Remedies for Eye Changes during Menopause

There are many physical changes which take place in the female body during menopause. Many of these physical changes can be unpleasant and because of our youth oriented society everyone is interested in slowing or reversing these changes. Unfortunately, menopause is an event that can not be stopped. Menopause should be embraced as an important milestone in a woman’s life.

I admit, as a man, not having any experience with the menses or menopause, I am reluctant to write an article about menopause especially when there are so many female Homeopaths who are more qualified. As an introduction to my article I would like to present the male counterpart to menopause which is mentalpause. This is the natural inability of the male species to relate to our female counterpart. Unfortunately, it is not short lived like menopause, but persists throughout our life!

There are many eye problems which develop during the menopausal period. Most of these disorders are not directly related to  menopause but develop because of predisposition’s of the basic constitution of the person. J.C. Burnett in his book THE CHANGE OF LIFE IN WOMEN  states, not that they (the new symptoms) really begin in the individuals at the menopause- they were for the most part there before- only that at this time of life the manifestations change form. Additional factors which can bring on symptoms during this time period are aging, stress, poor nutrition and hormonal factors.

I would like to discuss these ocular problems and their homeopathic treatment. It is important to understand these problems related to the eyes:

DRY EYES

Dry eyes are a common problem in the menopausal female. There are 5 common causes of Dry Eyes:

1. Decrease in blinking. Blinking helps to spread tears across the surface of the eye and lubricate the surface. Any decrease in blinking will cause symptoms of dry eyes.
2. Aging. Tear production decreases with aging. The volume of tear production can be 60% less at age 65 than at age 18.
3. Environment. High altitudes; sunny, dry windy conditions; and the use of heaters, blowers and air conditioning increase tear evaporation and cause symptoms of dry eyes.
4. Contact lenses can dramatically increase tear evaporation. Dry eyes are the leading cause of contact lens discomfort.
5. Some medications decrease the bodies ability to produce lubricating tears. These include decongestants, antihistamines, diuretics and many other allopathic medications.

Symptoms include burning, itching, watering, dryness and redness of the eyes. These symptoms are worse late in the day. Other  common symptoms are blurred and fluctuating vision and difficulty reading.

Deficiency of vitamin A has been shown to contribute to dry eyes. The first line of treatment should be a healthy diet with fresh dark green leafy vegetables or supplemental vitamin A. I would recommend 10,000 Units of Vitamin A once  a day. Vitamin A can be toxic to the liver so be sure to consult with your health care practitioner.

Artificial tears and lubricating eye drops are the second line of treatment. They can be used as often as every hour to help reduce the symptoms of dry eyes. There are many brands of artificial tears on the market. The best are those that are preservative free. Care should be taken to avoid dry atmospheric conditions and irritants to the eye are not simple conditions that can be washed away with a few eye drops. Most of the problems I am going to discuss are reflections of deeper problems in the body. It is stated that the eyes are the windows of the soul and they also express the general physical, emotional and mental health of our person. In order to utilize the power of homeopathy we must bring together all of these aspects in order to select the correct remedy that will heal.

The most common ocular condition which presents during menopause is dry eyes. The following are rubrics in REPERTORY OF THE HOMEOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA by Dr. J.T. Kent and a few homeopathic remedies which are useful in the treatment of dry eyes. Remember that the totality of symptoms should be used to select the proper homeopathic remedy.

EYE – DRYNESS

There are 96 remedies listed in SYNTHESIS REPERTORIUM HOMEOPATHICUM SYNTHETICUM BY FREDERIK SCHROYENS for dry eyes. Most of the information on each remedy for dry eyes is from Ophthalmic Diseases and Therapeutics by Norton.

• ACONTINUM NAPELLUS (Acon.) – Symptoms from an exposure to a cold dry wind. Dryness, burning, sensitiveness to air.  Burning in the eyes especially worse in the evening. Eyes are sensitive with much heat, burning and aching. Worse looking down or turning the eyes. Feeling like sand is in the eyes. Photophobia (This is a sensitivity to bright light)
• ALUMINA (Alum.)- Burning and dryness every evening. Pain in the inner canthus. (This is the middle corner of the eyelid). Dry mucous in the morning on waking. Dryness and excoriation ( superficial abrasion of the skin) in the internal canthus. Burning on waking especially on looking up. Pressure on the eye with difficulty opening them. Photophobia
• ARSENICUM ALBUM (Ars.)- Suborbital (Below the eye) pain on the left side with prickings as with needles. Pain on margins of the eyelid on moving them, as if they were dry and rubbed against the eyeball. Burning of the margins of the lid. Feeling of sand in the eyes in the evening. Burning, eyes hot, with burning sore pains in the balls and a feeling as if they had no room. Pulsative throbbing after midnight. Photophobia.
• BELLADONNA (Bell.)- Eyes dry, motion attended with a sense of dryness and stiffness to the eyes Feeling of heat in the eyes. Seems as if they were surrounded by hot vapors. Pressive pain deep in the ball. Feeling as if the eyes protruded.  Severe throbbing pain in the eye and head, worse at night.
• LYCOPODIUM (Lyc.)- Eyelids dry, with smarting pain. They cannot be opened, even on rubbing in the morning. Dryness of the eyes in the evening and at night. Severe burning and itching in the eyes. Pressive pain in the eyes, as if  dust were in them. Stitches in the eye.
• MEZEREUM (Mez.)- Jerking of muscles of the upper lid. Watering with biting in the eyes. Eyes hot and inflamed on rising in the morning. Much pressure in the eyes with a sensation of dryness, as if the conjunctiva of the lids were much inflamed. Smarting in the eyes compelling to rub them. Itching and biting (Cutting sensation as if being bit) on the margins of the lids and skin near the nose.
• NUX NOSCHATA (Nux-m.)- Blue rings around the eyes  or under the eyes. Sensation of dryness in the eyes. Reading by artificial light is difficult: the eyes would close from sleep. Sensation of fullness in the eyes.
• OPIUM (Op.)- Pupils contracted. Eyes dry and weak, with burning and a sensation as if dust were in them. Scintillations (Flickering, spark or a flash). Sensation as if the eyes were too large for the orbits. Eyes half closed, red and burning.
• PULSATILLA (Puls.)- Eyelids are agglutinated (Stuck together by secretion) in the morning. Watering in the cold open air. Dryness of the lids. Biting pain and a sensation of soreness in the inner canthus. Violent sticking in the eyelids and canthi (Outer and inner  corners  of the eyelids) in the evening. Itching, biting and burning in the lids in the evening. Dryness of the eyes and a sensation in the morning as if a foreign body were pressing in it. Pressure as from sand in the eye when reading. Pressive pain in the eyes as if there were heat in them. Burning and itching in the eyes, that provoke rubbing and scratching.
• SULPHUR (Sulph.)- Watering in the morning followed by dryness. Redness of the eyes during the day. Burning of the lids which are inflamed, red and tense on  eye movement. Smarting pains as from dryness of the margins of the lids. In the morning, on awakening, feeling of sand in the eyes, with raw pain on rubbing them. The eyes can scarcely endure the light at all in the evening. Burning of the eyes with great sensitivity to light. Severe cutting pains in the eyes. Stitches as if a knife in the eye.
• VERATRUM ALBUM (Verat.)- Full, pressing, heavy feeling in the eyes, with a slight headache. Severe shooting, suddenly stopping pain in the left eye. Pupils dilated. Photophobia and vertigo, relieved by closing eyes and resting. According to Dr. McGuire it is an important remedy related to menstrual irregularities.
• ZINC- Agglutination of the inner canthus in the morning, with a pressing sore feeling. Inflammation and redness of the conjunctiva (Mucous membrane which lines outer surface of the eyeball). Suppuration (Producing pus) in the inner canthus. Eyes are painful in the evening and at night, as from  sand, with frequent watering. Inflammation of the eyes during menses. Itching and sticking pain in the inner angles of the eyes, with cloudiness of sight. Constant burning in the eyes with a feeling of dryness. Hot scalding tears. Tickling in the eye as from dust.

Other rubrics which may be of help:

• EYE – DRYNESS – afternoon – sleep; after  MAGNESIA MURIATICA (mag-m.)
• EYE – DRYNESS – looking at bright light MANGANUM ACETICUM (Mang.)
• EYE – DRYNESS – menses, during MAGNESIA CARBONICA (mag-c.)
• EYE – DRYNESS – warm  room PULSATILLA (Puls.)
• EYE – DRYNESS – Canthi  NUX VOMICA (Nux-v.)

Remedies associated with menopause and dry eyes are: ARGENTUM NITRICUM (Arg-n.), BELLADONNA (Bell.), CROCUS SATIVA (Croc.), CYCLAMEN (Cycl.), GRAPHITES (Graph.), MANGANUM ACETICUM (Mang.), NUX MOSCHATA (Nux-m.), NUX VOMICA (Nux-v.), PULSATILL (Puls.), SANGUINARIA (Sang.), SEPIA (Sep.),  SULPHUR (Sulph.) and VERATRUM ALBUM (Verat.).

EXAMPLE CASE OF DRY EYES:

53 year old post menopause female with a chief complaint of extreme dry eyes. Feels like there is real hard sand on lower eyelid. When she goes out into the sun or watches TV. She blinks a lot and has trouble holding her eyes open. Eyes are scratchy. When she showers it does not help. Splashing water on her eyes will help for a couple seconds. Moisture drops do not do any good.

Her life has been a struggle. Her husband died and left her with 3 children. He was never around when he was alive. He was an alcoholic. She married again. He had 4 grown adult children who rejected her. She is trying to make the best of it.

She had sores on face and back. Skin doctor called them lesions. They bleed because she picked at them. They were a real deep itchy. She can’t stand sores on her body. She has to pick at them. Arthritis in the back behind her knee, there is a pain like a pressure.

Walking and muscle rub relieves the pressure. She only has this before it rains. Before a really bad storm it will bother her. Wet weather bothers her more. She likes to keep moving. There are things to be done and she will do it. She can’t understand how people can sit and not do anything.

Right now she feels bound. It is part of life. Everyone on earth has things they have to live with. They have rules and guidelines they can’t change. She believes in prayer and prays that she has peace. Late in the evening she tends to think more about her family - kids, grandkids and her husband’s health.

She is superstitious. If she spills salt she throws it over her shoulder. If she puts something on backwards she will not put it on and wear it. She sleeps fine except before storm when the barometric pressure is heavy. She rolls and tosses because her bones hurt. Her knees and the back of her legs. She is cold blooded. She does not produce a lot of heat. When she was younger the cold bothered her. She hated to get chilled.

There are many keynotes for Rhus-t. The dry eyes, the feeling that l life is a struggle, she is always tired. Restlessness. She rolls and tosses at night. She likes cold milk. Tends to worry and think about her family late in the evening. Sankaran states that the first remedy for the wife of an alcoholic is Rhus-t. Her eye symptoms, mental and emotional state greatly improved with RHUS TOXICODENDRON (Rhus-t.).

Other conditions present during the menopausal years include presbyopia and cataracts. However, these are found in both sexes during the aging process and are not directly attributable to menopause.

PRESBYOPIA – Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the ability to comfortably sustain the change of focus for clear, near vision. Between 40 and 50 years of age, humans lose this variable focus of the lens of the eye. Symptoms include blurred or uncomfortable near vision and blurred distance vision after prolonged use of near vision.

Here are some rubrics from Kent and a few homeopathic remedies. There are 15 remedies in Synthesis and here is some information regarding some of the 2nd degree remedies.

VISION – ACCOMMODATION, defective

• AGARICUS MUSCARIUS (Agar.) – Type seems to move while reading. Vision dim like looking through a veil. Twitching and spasms of the eyelids, drooping of the upper lids. Pressure and heaviness  in the eyes with sensitivity to light.
• ARGENTUM NITRICUM (Arg-n.)- Sight vanishes when reading. Obscuration of sight with anxiety. Heaviness of the eye with difficulty opening them. Pain better in the cool open air, worse in a warm room. Margins of eyelids are red and sore.
• HYDRASTIS (Hydr.)- Profuse secretion of tears and burning. Photophobia and sneezing. Flickering of vision in bright yellow light.
• NATRUM MURIATICUM  (Nat-m.)- Sudden darkness before the eyes. Objects become confused when looking at them. Letters run together. The eyes give out while reading or writing. Eyelids become red and burning especially in the evening while reading. Acrid tears which make the canthi red and sore.
• PHYSOSTIGMA (Phys.)- Drawing, twisting sensation in the eyes. Eyes sore and give pain when moved side to side. Film over the eyes and objects mix together when reading. Contraction of pupils. Spasms of accommodation.

VISION – ACCOMMODATION, defective- slow

• CONIUM (Con.)- Pressure in the eyes while reading. Burning in the eyes . Aching pain across the eyebrows and mistiness of vision. Sluggishness of accommodation. Vision good for fixed vision, but when object is put into motion there is a haze and dimness producing vertigo.
• GELSEMIUM (Gels.)- Dimness of sight and vertigo. Glimmering appearance before the eye. Objects appear double. Diplopia which can be controlled by an effort of will. Great heaviness of the eyelids. Aversion to light. Eyes tire on using for near vision.

Remedies associated with menopausal symptoms and loss of accommodation are: AGARICUS MUSCARIUS (Agar.),  ARGENTUM NITRICUM (Arg-n.) and  HYDRASTIS (Hydr.).

CATARACT

In addition to the loss of elasticity and the development of presbyopia (loss of focusing for near vision), the human lens also begins to harden and become cloudy during aging. Many people think a cataract is an actual film over the eye causing their vision to become blurry. Its actually the lens inside the eye becoming cloudy.

Studies have shown that antioxidants slow the progression of cataracts. These antioxidants  include Vitamin A, C, E , zinc and selenium. Two studies have assessed specific vitamin C or E supplement use and risk of cataract. In a case-control study conducted in Canada, 46% reduction in cataract was noted among persons who had used vitamin C supplements over the previous 5 years and a 55% reduction among those who had used vitamin E supplements. (I would suggest using 500mg of Vitamin C twice a day and 300 IU of Vitamin E twice a day. There are over 9 varieties of vitamin E, d-alpha tocopherol is the best. Check with your health practitioner regarding additional information regarding dosages and administration).

Ultraviolet light have been shown to contribute and to accelerate the growth of cataracts. Those at risk should wear ultraviolet blocking sun glasses. It is important to select a quality pair of sunglasses which have both ultraviolet A and B blocking properties.

The best review article on the treatment of cataracts is The Homeopathic Treatment of Incipient Senile Cataract, with Tabulated Results of One Hundred Cases by A. B. Norton, MD published in the North American Journal of Homeopathy 1891. This was a Retrospective Study looking at the homeopathic treatment of cataracts in 295 Patients. 100 Patients were under treatment for longer than 3 months. Results: Improvement in 58% of cases.

The following 3 remedies where used in 78% of all cases: CAUSTICUM, CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA and SEPIA. SEPIA is an important remedy to consider in the menopausal female.

Burnett describes the treatment of post-climacteric cataract using a constitutional course of homeopathic treatment. Once again the totalities of symptoms are used with only one carefully selected remedy. Here are some rubrics from Kent and a few homeopathic remedies:

In Blackwood’s, Manual of Materia Medica, Choudhuris Study on Materia Medica and in Boerickes Pocket Materia Medica. Cineraria is described as being used for the treatment of cataracts and corneal opacities (Clouding of the clear front surface of the eye) as a tincture instilled in the eye 4 to 5 times a day for several months. In these reports the Tincture of Cineraria was used in an allopathic manner and not in a classical homeopathic approach.

EYE – CATARACT - There are 58 remedies listed in Synthesis. I have reviewed several of the bold type remedies and a few others that Norton mentions in his article on the Homeopathic Treatment of Cataracts.

• CALCARIA CARBONICA (Calc-c.)- Dim after getting the head cold. Only one side of objects are visible. Halo around lights. Flickering, sparks, and black dots.
• CALCARIA FLOURICA (Calc-f.)- Sensation of a hair in the eye.
• CALCARIA PHOSPHORICA (Calc-p.)- Headaches, especially of the right side, pain around the right eye and tired feeling in the right eye. Eyes feel stiff and weak. Dizziness. Rheumatic pains.
• CAUSTICUM (Caust.)-  Norton feels that this probably has the greatest value in the treatment of cataract. Feeling of sand in the eye. Sensation of pressure. Heaviness of the eyelids. Burning and itching. Desire to keep eyes closed. Photophobia. Flashes of light.
• MAGNESIA CARBONICA (Mag-c.)- Dryness, burning and dimness during menses. Eye itching after dinner
• SEPIA (Sep.)- Eyes feel weak. Worse towards evening. Better middle of the day. Sharp pains in the eyes. Heaviness of the lids. Twitching of the lids, smarting of the eyes relieved by eating. Headaches worse morning and evening.
• PHOSPHORUS (Phos.)- Especially indicated when there are colors before the vision. Black floating spots before the eye and flashes of light.
• SILICEA (Sil).- Vision indistinct and misty with flickering before the eyes. Difficulty reading and writing. Words run together.
• SULPHUR (Sulph).- Dimness of vision as from a fog with a headache. Great sensitiveness to bright daylight. Dimness of vision and weakness of both eyes, with dark spots floating before the eyes. Heaviness and aching while reading. Sensation of a veil before the eyes. Intolerance to sunlight.

Here are some peculiar rubrics and remedies:

• EYE – CATARACT – contusion (A bruise to the eye) from- ARNICA (Arn.), CONIUM (Con.)
• EYE – CATARACT – operation, after- ARNICA (Arn.), RHUS TOXICODENDRON (Rhus-t.), SENEGA Seneg.)
• EYE – CATARACT – perspiration of feet; after suppressed- SILICEA (Sil.)
• EYE – CATARACT – women, in- SEPIA Sep.).
• EYE – CATARACT – Cortical (Spokes which radiate from the center of the lens)- SULPHUR (Sulph.)
• EYE – CATARACT – dark day; can see better on a-EUPHRASIA (Euph.)

Remedies associated with menopause and cataracts are: SULPHUR (Sulph.), SEPIA (sep.), APIS  MELLIFICA (apis.), CONIUM (Con.), JABORANDI (jab.), KALIUM CARBONICUM (kali-c.), PHOSPOROUS (phos.) and PULSATILLA (Puls.)

Dr. Edward Kondrot is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and certified homeopathic doctor. He is the author of Healing the Eye the Natural Way: Alternative Medicine and Macular Degeneration, and Microcurrent Stimulation: Miracle Eye Cure. In addition, he is the director of the Farrington School of Homeopathy in Pittsburgh and is a core faculty member at the Desert Institute of Classical Homeopathy in Phoenix.  His two main offices are in Phoenix, Arizona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His web page is www.HealingTheEye.com and he can be reached at 1-800-430-9328.

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Tagged as: dry eye natural remedy, menopause natural help treatment, weird symptoms of menopause