Homeopathic ophthalmologist shares secrets of healthy eyes

homeopathic ophthalmologist

Walter, an elderly man who was going blind from glaucoma, came to see me as a last resort. Conventional medicine had nothing to offer him. With his visual fields becoming more and more constricted, he was desperate for help.

After examining Walter’s eyes, I spoke with him at length about his health history and other mind and body symptoms, in a classic homeopathic consultation. I learned that he’d had difficulty sleeping for more than 60 years, ever since he’d served in the army in World War II. Upon further questioning, Walter confided that he had witnessed his best friend vaporize in a missile explosion. Ever since this extremely traumatic event so many years ago, he had not been able to sleep well at night, among other post-traumatic stress symptoms.

I gave Walter several dosages of Aconite 10M over a two-week period. In that time, his visual fields began to expand, and his sleep also started to improve. An excellent remedy for the ill effects of fright, Aconite helped Walter to resolve this old trauma. Aconite is also a remedy with a strong affinity for the eye, and over the next several months, his visual fields improved to a near normal level. Fortunately for Walter, the right homeopathic medication had a profound effect, allowing him to remain healthy and self-sufficient.

A homeopathic ophthalmologist?

People with serious eye problems, like Walter, come to see me almost every day, and it’s gratifying to be able to offer them hope and real help with homeopathic treatment. Even so, many people are quite surprised to meet an ophthalmologist who practices homeopathy. They shouldn’t be, however, because the marriage of homeopathy and ophthalmology dates back to the mid1800s. New York Ophthalmic Hospital was under homeopathic management from 1867 to 1931, and in 1931, more than 31,000 patients were treated at this hospital! The American Homeopathic Ophthalmology and Otology Society, founded in 1877, still existed as late as 1941. Two specialty homeopathic journals were also published during this era (Homeopathic Eye, Ear and Throat Journal and Journal of Ophthalmology, Otology and Laryngology) as well as many books on the subject (see page 14 for more historical notes).

Sensitive, delicate eyes
The eye is one of our most delicate tissues. The cornea alone contains more pain sensory nerve fibers than any other part of the body. Anyone who gets a slight scratch on their cornea or a small foreign body in their eye will quickly agree. Even the toughest person will wince with pain and be unable to open their eye.

During my days as an ophthalmic surgeon, I observed this extreme sensitivity during routine exams and ocular surgeries. I needed to use great care to prevent severe reactions of the eye. The best surgeons do as little as possible to the tissue of the eye. A longer than necessary incision, excessive movement of the eye, or prolonged operative time can result in marked inflammation and delayed healing.

Less is always better.
The eye is sensitive to the subtlest vibration in our environment—light. It contains over 100 million rods and cones, each one acting as a receptor to pick up tiny light variations. The rods function well in low light; the cones function well in brighter light and detect variations in color.

The eye also functions as an emotional barometer. Visual images are first focused on the rods and cones of the retina. From there, neurophysiological stimulation travels to the optic nerve. Then these images are conducted to the occipital lobe of the brain where images are perceived. This stimuli has interaction with the thalamus, which is like the brain’s switchboard. Connecting visual stimuli to the inner worlds of the cerebral cortex gives us an emotional response to our sight. Common phrases to support this connection include: “a shocking sight,” “can’t bare to look,” “pleasing to the eyes,” and “focus your attention.”

Six remedies for sensitive eyes
Over the years, I’ve found the following six remedies to be extremely useful for acute conditions affecting the eye. Interestingly, they are all members of the plant kingdom, which corresponds to the theory that “sensitivity” is a key feature in the symptom profile of patients who benefit from homeopathic remedies made from plant sources. For acute eye problems, I prescribe either 30c or 200c potency, depending on the severity of the problem (30c twice a day or 200c once a day, until symptoms improve).

1. Belladonna: sudden onset
Belladonna is a well-known acute remedy, and a first-line homeopathic treatment in any sudden inflammatory reaction. I have often used it in cases of pinkeye (epidemic keratoconjunctivitis). The patient may have classic Belladonna symptoms such as rapid onset of redness with marked swelling, extreme photophobia, and irritability.Belladonna can reduce these symptoms quickly and resolve the infection faster than any antibiotic. Other symptoms that may indicate Belladonna in any acute eye problem are glistening appearance of the eye, dilated pupils, and a wild expression in the eye.

Another acute problem that I have successfully treated with Belladonna is central retinal vein occlusion, which occurs when arteriosclerotic thickening or spasms of the arteries cause a sudden blockage of blood flow in the veins. (In the eye, the small veins and arteries share a common sheath at the point where they cross each other.) Ophthalmologists call this problem, “blood and thunder retina,” which describes the rapid and substantial accumulation of blood inside the eye. The result for the patient is sudden vision loss, along with marked inflammation and redness in the retina. Of course, the sudden onset with marked redness and swelling are classic indications for Belladonna. Belladonna can stop the retinal hemorrhage, help absorb blood in the eye, and improve the vision. In traditional ophthalmology, the only treatment is laser surgery, which stops bleeding but destroys healthy retinal tissue and often reduces the vision further.

2. Aconite: “Arnica of the eye”
Aconite, another commonly used acute remedy for the eye, is often called the “Arnica of the eye” because of its all-purpose use for eye trauma (whereas Arnica is an all-purpose general trauma remedy). Aconite often helps conjunctivitis developing after exposure to cold, dry wind. Aconite is the number one remedy to consider for photophobia from sunlight. I have found that solar keratitis responds very well to Aconite, too. In this condition, the cornea becomes inflamed after exposure to sunlight reflected from snow, sand, or water.

Aconite is also a very valuable remedy for treating pain experienced after laser surgery (for example, laser surgery to treat nearsightedness). The laser used for these surgeries is an ultraviolet laser, which has part of the spectrum of sunlight.

3. Staphysagria: not just for styes
Patients needing Staphysagria often develop a sty—an infection of the gland at the base of the eyelash. A sty can also be viewed as a beautiful representation of the classic Staphysagria nature. A sty is an enclosed purulent pocket hidden by normal-looking skin. Likewise, a person needing Staphysagria will often have a sweet exterior, but they hold their anger and indignation inside, which eventually leads to pathology. A sty takes a very long time to develop and finally release its toxins; a person needing Staphysagria typically holds onto anger and indignation for long periods of time. I use this remedy as my first line of treatment for styes, especially if the patient has a history of indignation.

I have also observed deep eye pathologies such as glaucoma and macular degeneration respond to Staphysagria. Recently, a patient came to me with loss of vision in her left eye from inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis). Upon taking her case, I learned that the problem developed after she had an argument with her daughter because the daughter’s boyfriend did not want my patient to see her granddaughter.

This event caused her great psychological stress and indignation. She’d also had some dental work around this time. Interestingly, the Staphysagria symptom profile includes “ailments from indignation” and “ailments from dental work/surgery”: my patient had suffered a doubly whammy. I treated her with Staphysagria 200c, and her vision returned to near normal after several weeks. She was able to deal with the anger towards her daughter. Normally, if the vision returns after about of optic neuritis, it will occur slowly over three to six months. The remarkable and rapid improvement of her vision (as well as her mental state) can be attributed to the action of Staphysagria.

4. Pulsatilla: infections and more
Pulsatilla is another remedy commonly used in eye infections, especially bacterial infections that produce a yellow-green discharge. In addition, Pulsatilla can assist many other pathologies of the eye. Remember an important characteristic modality of this remedy—worse warmth and better cold. Several years ago, I treated a woman suffering from retinal hemorrhage with marked loss of vision. She wept when telling me her symptoms and had very strong fixed religious ideas—both strong indications for Pulsatilla. She had a marked preference for cool air and a craving for creamy comfort foods. Pulsatilla 200c quickly resolved the hemorrhage and improved her emotional stability as well. Her vision also improved, something that would likely not have occurred without
homeopathic treatment.

5. Hypericum: soothes pain
Hypericum, a well-known remedy for treating injuries to nerve-rich tissues, is a favorite of mine for corneal injuries. Compared to other parts of the body, the superficial cornea has the highest concentration of pain nerve fibers, and anyone who has experienced a small scratch to the cornea will agree. Consider Hypericum for any corneal injury such as a scratch to the eye, wearing contact lenses too long, or surgical procedures that injure the cornea.

6. Euphrasia: heals eye irritations
Euphrasia officinalis, made from the plant commonly known as eyebright, is my number one remedy for external irritation of the eye; symptoms include redness, irritation, and feeling like sand is in the eye. Allergic reactions, dry eyes, and infections can respond well to Euphrasia. The key indicator for Euphrasia is an acrid eye discharge. (In contrast, the remedy Allium cepa is used for non-acrid eye discharges that occur simultaneously with acrid nasal discharges.) I often suggest that patients drink herbal eyebright tea and use the tea as an eye compress. Unfortunately, the herbal tincture is becoming more difficult to obtain in the US although some sources still exist. Because Euphrasia is a semi-parasitic plant, the USDA has banned the importation of Euphrasia seeds for fear the plant will take over other plants.

A real eye opener
While many ophthalmologists struggle to treat certain acute eye conditions or have only limited tools to aid them, I am glad to be able to gently treat delicate eye tissues with homeopathy. Homeopathy expands my scope of treatment in conditions that otherwise might linger or never resolve. Remember, ofcourse, that your eyes and vision are critical to your good health and well-being, so always seek advice and examinations from an eye-care professional.
But if your eye-care professional has little to offer you, or when your problem is a simple, acute one—broaden your vision and open your eyes to homeopathy! You’ll be glad you did.

by EDWARD C. KONDROT, MD, MD(H), CCH, DHt| Homeopathic Ophthalmologist

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Tagged as: homeopathic remedies, Homeopathy, macular degeneration