Eye

Itching red eyes are actually a symptom of an underlying problem. However, itching eyes do not cause any threat to eyesight, although they can be a source of irritation and anxiety to the affected person. This condition is very common and it gets worse during the pollen season or in the highly polluted environment. Any itchy sensation in and around the eyes is considered as an itchy eye. This is a very common condition seen with allergic persons. To treat red itchy eyes is only effective by finding out the underlying cause of itchiness.

What does it mean when you have Itchy Eyes?

Conjunctiva

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is one of the most common (and contagious) eye infections, particularly among school children. It occurs when the conjunctiva — the thin, transparent membrane that covers the sclera and lines the eyelids, becomes infected. When the conjunctiva is infected, the blood vessels within it become irritated and swell, giving the eye a red or pink appearance which is irritates. The reddish-pink eye is a symptom of conjunctivitis.
There are different types of conjunctivitis, so be sure to always visit your eye doctor for correct diagnosis.
Dry eyes
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your tear glands produce either an insufficient quantity or quality of tears to properly lubricate and nourish your eyes. Chronic dry eye can cause the surface of the eye to become inflamed and irritated, causing red itchy eyes. While dry eye syndrome may not be curable, it can be managed.
Treatment for dry eyes may includes lubricating artificial tears eye drops and punctal tabs. Ask your eye care practitioner for the treatment options best for you.
Allergy
Usually, red itchy eyes are referred to as allergy eyes given that eye redness is a common indicator of an allergic reaction. When your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, pet dander, dust or certain chemicals found in makeup, your body releases histamine as part of the inflammatory response that occurs to fight off the culprit allergens. As a result, the histamine released causes blood vessels in your eyes to enlarge, making your eyes become red and watery.
This can be handled by avoiding known allergens to which you are sensitive or taking medication advised by your doctor such as antihistamine eye drops can help keep dreaded hay fever and eye allergies at bay, especially during allergy seasons.
Contact lenses
Also, one of the main culprits of red eye is over-wearing or not properly caring for contact lenses, which can cause a build-up of irritating surface deposits and microbes on your eye. Red itchy eyes while wearing contacts could be a sign of a serious eye infection, such askeratitis or fungal eye. If your eyes become red while wearing contact lenses, remove your contacts immediately and visit your optician.
Contact lenses also can worsen dry eye syndrome, as they reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea and restrict normal tear flow production, particularly with poorly fitting contacts. You can minimize your risk of contact lens-induced red eye by keeping your lenses clean and disinfected, and replacing them according to your eye doctor’s directions.
Computer vision syndrome
Red, burning and tired eyes go hand-in-hand with staring at a computer screen for too long. One reason is that you blink less when working at a computer, which dries out the surface of your eye.Tips to reduce computer eye strain may include taking frequent breaks while working at a computer, modifying your workstation and wearing specially designed computer glasses. Lubricating eye drops also will can help to keep your eyes moist and healthy and free from red itchy eyes.

Other Causes of Red Eyes

Corneal ulcer

Infections of the cornea, including a cornea ulcer, are potentially sight-threatening and should be treated as an emergency. In addition to red eyes, corneal ulcer symptoms almost always include eye pain, reduced vision and eye discharge. A corneal ulcer typically is caused by an untreated eye infection or trauma to the eyes and as well can cause red itchy eyes.
Ocular herpes
Also called eye herpes, this is a recurrent viral infection caused by the type 1 herpes simplex virus — the same virus that causes common cold sores. Signs and symptoms of ocular herpes include eye redness, swollen eyes, eye pain, watery discharge and light sensitivity. This condition can cause scarring of the cornea if left untreated, and in some cases may require a cornea transplant to restore vision.
Glaucoma
In most cases, glaucoma is gradual and asymptomatic when it first develops and can cause red itchy eyes as well. But a sudden onset of painful, bright-red eyes accompanied by halos around lights, vision loss and nausea may signal acute angle-closure glaucoma. This is a sight-threatening condition that warrants urgent medical attention. The spike in intraocular pressure can cause permanent vision loss within a matter of hours if it is not reduced.
Whitening eye drops. Eye drops marketed for red eyes contain vasoconstrictors, which are chemicals that shrink the blood vessels on the surface of your eye to reduce redness. However, they can cause more harm than good over the long term. Many people who regularly use eye drops formulated to get the red out build up a resistance to their whitening effects and need to use more and more drops to achieve the same results.
Cold and flu. Bloodshot and puffy red itchy eyes, along with a runny nose, are common symptoms of a cold or flu. Red eyes in this instance typically are caused by a sinus infection or blocked sinuses, especially when accompanied with sneezing and coughing.
Pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your eyes in many ways. Your eyes may become red and bloodshot, as well as dry, itchy and sensitive to light. Pregnancy also can alter the shape of your cornea and you may develop an intolerance to contact lenses or even experience blurry vision. These problems, including eye redness, usually are temporary and resolve completely within weeks or months after childbirth.
Smoking. The dangers of cigarette smoking to your heart and lungs and other diseases associated with smoking are well-known, but smoking can cause red itchy eyes too. Smoking marijuana also causes red, bloodshot eyes. THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, causes significant dilation of blood vessels on the eye, producing eye redness that can last several hours or even longer.
Symptoms of red Itching Eyes

The important symptoms of the itchy eyes are

• Continuous itching of the eyes
• Burning sensation of the eyes
• Runny eyes
• Inflamed eyelids
• Inflammation of conjunctiva
• Red and irritated eyes and eyelids
• Discharge from the eye
• Sensitivity to light

Preventing Red Eyes

• Don’t rub your eyes — irritants on your hands and fingers can cause even more redness and irritation.
• Carry out good hygiene when wearing contact lenses. Contacts and contact lens cases can act as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
• Speak to your doctor about allergy medications to help keep allergies at bay.
• Take a break from looking at the computer screen and follow the 20-20-20 rule: look away from your computer every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Schedule an eye exam to rule out a more sinister cause of red eyes such as eye disease or a sight-threatening infection.
• Don’t over-use whitening eye drops — they can make your eyes redder over time!

Why does the Corner of my Eye Itchy?

According to researchers, itching in the corners of the eyes is a common symptom of eye allergies, also referred to as allergic conjunctivitis. Eye allergies are reactions to pet dander, pollens, dust and chemicals. Additional symptoms include redness and irritation of the eyes, swollen eyelids, burning and sensitivity to light. Eye allergies are treated with over-the-counter eye drops and oral antihistamines.
They further explains that dry eyes can cause itchiness, stinging and a burning sensation in the eyes. Those with dry eyes often feel like there is something in the eye and experience excessive eye watering. Dry red itchy eyes are caused by low tear production and are common in post-menopausal women, individuals over the age of 50 and laser eye surgery patients.

How do you get rid of Itchy Eyes?

Once the diagnosis has been made, an appropriate treatment course can be selected to cab the specific condition causing the red itchy eyes.
Contact conjunctivitis. First, it is imperative to identify and discontinue use of the offending agent. Contact reactions to topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are commonly delayed several weeks or months. Once the irritant is eliminated, supportive treatment, including the use of cool compresses, is usually sufficient.
Atopic dermatitis. Eliminate environmental and food allergens. Exacerbations on the skin can be treated with corticosteroid cream in severe cases. Moisturizing the facial skin (specifically the eyelid) is important for long-term treatment. Systemic antihistamines and mast-cell stabilizers may also provide relief.
Dry eye syndrome. Lubrication of the ocular surface is the ultimate goal. Initial treatment with artificial tears and with lubricant at bedtime, is acceptable. Some patients may also require punctal plugs. Those who remain symptomatic may need topical cyclosporine A to increase tear production.
Allergic conjunctivitis. It is important to avoid or eliminate allergic triggers whenever possible. Supportive care with cool compresses can be helpful for some patients. The use of physical barriers (such as glasses) is also useful in limiting allergen contact. Artificial tears will help dilute any allergen remaining on the ocular surface.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Symptoms may be alleviated with topical antihistamines and mast-cell stabilizers. However, these patients tend to require more aggressive measures compared with those suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. Topical corticosteroids and even immunomodulators (such as cyclosporine A) may be necessary.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis. Patients should first be advised to discontinue contact lens wear until the exacerbation has resolved. It is also appropriate to refit the lenses or to try different lenses and to advise patients about proper hygiene. It may be helpful to change to daily-wear contact lenses.

Home Remedies for Itchy Eyes

The following are some of the effective home remedies that you can follow to get rid of itching eyes.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is an effective and natural home remedy that is used to effectively treat itching eyes. Cut open the leaf of fresh Aloe Vera plant and extract the Aloe Vera juice. Mix this juice with a teaspoon of honey and half a cup of elderberry blossom tea. Rinse your eyes with this solution mixture for a minimum of two times a day. Repeat this daily until the itching eye problem is solved completely.
Vegetable Juices
Raw vegetable juices, especially raw carrot juices and spinach juices, are found to be very effective in treating itching eye problems. You need to extract fresh carrot juice from one or two carrots and drink this juice twice every day to get rid of itching eyes. You can also extract spinach juice from fresh spinach leaves and drink this juice to get the desired result…
Raw Potatoes
Raw potatoes are an effective home remedy that you can think of when you have trouble with itching eyes. Cut a raw cleaned potato into thin round slices. Keep the cut slices in the refrigerator for several minutes. Now, once the slices are cooled, remove it from the refrigerator and place it over your eyes for about 30 minutes.
Cold Milk
Milk is considered to be one of the best home remedies for itching eyes. Take a clean cotton ball and dip it in a glass of cold milk. Now, rub the cotton ball around your eyes. You can also place the cotton ball soaked with cold milk on the eyes and use it as a cold compress to get an instant cooling effect for the eyes. Keep it there on your eyes for 15 to 20 minutes.
Water and Salt
Water and salt are common home remedies that you can use to treat itching eyes. This has been in practice for centuries now. In a cup of distilled pure water add a teaspoon of salt. This is a natural eye wash.  Boil this natural eye wash until the soil completely dissolves in the water.
Allow the water to cool to room temperature and then flush your eyes with this water to get relief from itching eyes.
Water
It is important for you to drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated. Drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of water every day to keep your eyes hydrated. This will help in preventing itching eyes.

Eye Drops for Itchy Eyes

There is an eye drop or ointment to relieve the symptoms of most eye problems whether you have dry eyes, pink eyes or red itchy eyes. Determining which kind of eye drop or ointment is best depends on what kind of eye condition you have.
Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
Lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears, can provide relief for short-term dry eyes, when the cause is related to temporary circumstances such as computer eye strain, being outdoors in windy and sunny conditions, and tiredness. Most OTC lubricating eye drops work by adding various tear elements that are in your eyes already, to supplement your natural tears and make your eyes more moist and comfortable.
Eye Drops for Redness
Decongestant eye drops, or whitening eye drops, contain vasoconstrictors which eliminate red eyes by shrinking the tiny blood vessels on the white part of your eyes (sclera), making them less visible. While decongestant eye drops are effective at getting rid of redness, be mindful that they can mask a potentially serious underlying problem. It’s always best to first consult with your eye doctor to identify the cause of your red eyes.
Decongestant eye drops can cause dryness and irritation, dilated pupils and other adverse effects if they are used too often.
Eye Drops for Allergies and Eye Itching
Antihistamine eye drops are specifically formulated to treat itching due to allergies. Allergy eye drops work by reducing histamines in the eye tissues. Allergies can cause eye symptoms such as red itchy eyes, wateriness and puffy eyes, for which OTC antihistamine eye drops also may be useful.
Eye Drops for Soreness, Swelling or Discharge
Before you consider using eye drops for soreness, it’s essential to determine the underlying cause. Usually eyes become sore because they’re dry, strained, tired or just plain overused. But if your eyes are sore a lot, you should have an eye exam to see if your vision needs correcting for near sightedness, far sightedness astigmatism or presbyopia.

Eye Drops and Contact Lenses

Rewetting drops are specifically formulated for contact lenses and can provide relief for dry eyes and discomfort associated with contact lens wear. If you choose to use regular OTC lubricating eye drops while wearing contacts, check with your eye care practitioner to see if your contact lens type is compatible with the eye drop you’re considering.
However, unlike rewetting drops, many eye drops acquired over the counter or prescribed are not intended for contact lens wearers, and you may need to remove your lenses before applying

Itchy Eyes but Not Red

An inflammation of the middle layer of the eye uvea, uveitis typically is characterized by red eyes, light sensitivity and visual disturbances such as floaters and blurry vision. Uveitis has many known causes; the most common are eye infections, eye injury or trauma, or a systemic autoimmune disorder. But in many cases, the underlying cause of uveitis is unknown. This can be one of the cause of itchy but not red eyes
If not treated early enough, uveitis can result in adetached retina, cataracts and high ocular pressure all of which can lead to permanent loss of vision.

One Itchy Eye

Trauma or injury to the eye, including cosmetic eyelid surgery, can result in red, bloodshot eyes, sometimes accompanied by a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage. As an inflammatory response to injury, blood vessels in your eye dilate to allow more blood flow to the site of the injury for quicker healing. This dilation of blood vessels on the eye is what causes the red itchy eyes.
Eye injuries can range from minor eye scratches to deep puncture wounds and chemical burns. Whatever the source, always treat an eye injury as a medical emergency causes of itching eyes

Itchy Eyes at Night

Itchy eyes at night are caused by lack of sleep and general allergies that one may be exposed to. Lack of sleep a common problem that we may have without noticing. The appearance of your eyes is a dead giveaway when you’re tired. Swollen eyes and dark circles are also signs that you haven’t had enough sleep. And remember: rubbing sleepy eyes will only aggravate eye redness!

Watery Itchy Eyes

Eye allergies red, itchy, watery eyes that are bothered by the same irritants that cause sneezing and a runny nose among seasonal allergy sufferers are very common. Researchers estimates that 50 million people in the United States have seasonal allergies, and its prevalence is increasing affecting up to 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children. In addition to having symptoms of sneezing, congestion and a runny nose, most of these allergy sufferers also experience red itchy eyes, watery eyes, and swollen eyelids.
And in some cases, eye allergies can play a role in conjunctivitis and other eye infections. If you think you have eye allergies, here are a few things you should know including helpful tips on how to get relief from your red, itchy, watery eyes

How do you Get Rid of Water Eyes

Watery eyes can be very irritating. Watery eyes can be caused by many things–from allergies to bacterial infections. Regardless of what is bothering your eyes, there are several things you can do to stop them from watering.
Common remedies include washing your eyes, using eye drops, and using a warm compress. You can also get help from your doctor, who may be able to diagnose the problem and offer a treatment that will help. There are also some things that you can do to prevent watery eyes, such as wearing goggles, wearing sunglasses, and wearing your own makeup.
More references

1. Red eyes causes and treatments: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/red-eyes.htm
2. How to get relief from eye allergies: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/eye-allergies#1
3. Eye drops: http://www.allaboutvision.com/buysmart/eye-drops.htm
4. Red eye: http://www.nhs.uk http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/allergies.

What does it mean when your left eye twitches? Get more insights on the meaning of left eye twitching, causes, superstition myths, home remedies and treatments to stop eye jumping.

What does it mean when your Left Eye is Twitching

Eye twitching is a repetitive, uncontrollable blinking or spasm of the eyelid, usually the upper lid.
Eye twitching (blepharospasm) usually affects the eye muscles of both eyes. If you have eye twitching, you may have an involuntary movement that recurs every several seconds for a minute or two.
Various societies have attached this involuntary eye movement to various superstitious meanings. Medically eye jumping is a condition that can be triggered by various factor and there are a number of ways established on how to stop eye twitching.

Does Twitching under Left Eye mean Superstition?

What does it mean when your left or right eye twitches? A twitch of a right is associated with good luck superstition. It could mean that good events will happen to you like receiving good news, get money or achieve your expectation. Unfortunately, left eye twitching superstition indicate bad omen.
Some people believe that having a twitch of a left eye is a sign of good luck as well. This phenomenon can be used to predict excellent event to happen to you. It depend on your traditions and cultural believe of your own society.
The following are some of the myths and superstition attached to eye spasm by various societies:

Eye Twitching Superstition from Africa

Most African community believes that when you meet an individual with a left twitching eye and looks at you, it is magical and can result to fungal infection of your tongue or you can get boils. Such individual are feared by society though no scientific evidence to justify.
Involuntary blinking of the your left eye to some community is linked to myths that such individual probably are envious which cannot be claimed to true because no  one has justify it. They  claim that malicious individual will always twitch their eyes as indication of negative perception someone has toward achievement of the others.

 Eye Twitching Superstition from China Meaning

According to Chinese myths, left eye twitching is associated with good luck superstition like waiting for the fortune or good news. This belief is opposite to misfortune to happen. When you have a twitch of the right one indicate bad omen to them which foretells bad luck coming your way.
Chines also believes that when you twitch your left lower eye lid means you are about to cry soon .these shows a bad event can happen to you that can result to crying. They also believe that when someone starts gossiping on you it can cause involuntary spasm of your eye lid muscles. Time of the day is very important to determine the likely event that will happen according to Chinese culture when your left eye twitches.
Here are some of the prediction you can make depending on time of the day according to Chinese culture

Time of the day	Left eye superstition	Right eye superstition
11:00pm to 1:00am	You will meet a visitor from a nobleman.	You will be invited to a party or feast by your friends.
1:00am to 3:00am	Indicate worrying events are coming for you, it is about to happen.	Someone is thinking about  you
3:00am to 5:00am	You are about to host a friendly visitor or guest from another city or distance location	Happy event wait for you, it is an indication to joy.
5:am to 7:00am	You expect a special visitor to your home.	Is an encouraging sing because everything will be good to you.
7:am to 9:00am	One of your best friends from another city will visit you.	It is a warning sign to you that you will get small danger or injury.
9:00am to 11:am	Expect to get invitation for parting or feasting.	Indicate you that will come across chaos or even have a quarrel with someone.
11:am to 1:00pm	You are about to be invited to dine and wine to your satisfaction.	Sing of misfortune to be falling you like having great disaster.
1:00pm to 3:00pm	Is a good sign to be prosperous in your plans especially getting a lot of finance.	Joyful moment wait for you, expect happy mood.
3:00pm to 5:00pm	You are about to make loss of money, physical damage will fall you.	Someone you dearly love will come into your thoughts.
5:00pm to 7:00pm	Someone will be coming to your home or house.	You will receive visitor from far way location.
7:00pm to 9:00pm	Someone will visit you home.	You will associate with a crowd or attend a meeting.
9:00pm to 11:pm	Be prepared to meet a friend who will visit you.	You could have a trouble that can take you to court, be cautious.

Eye Twitching Superstition from India

According to Indian, the superstition of the eye is opposite to Chinese.  Believes about eye spasms vary with the eye that twitches, the gender and part of the eyelid that twitches. The time of the day is not considered to predict the meaning.
A twitch of right eye superstition is for good luck. They believe when you have a right twitch, expect good news and achievement to happen in your life.
Gender also determines the meaning of eye twitching. For women, left eye indicate good to happen while in men it is considered as bad omen. Men who have these conditions are considered to have misfortune in their life.
The part of the eye also dictates the superstition of eye twitching. When you have a left eye pupil twitching is a symbol of good luck. These suggest that the spasm happening in the pupil is associated with good events to happen. They believe spasms in middle eye are a sign of gaining money. When you have involuntary spasms in the left eyelid indicates a misfortune to happen. Lower part of the eye spasms indicates you will spend a lot of money or eve loss money. Significantly, the twitch of the left eyebrow shows you are about to get a new born child in your family or get good news.

Real Causes of Left Eye Twitching (Under or Inside)

Having many believes about the meaning of blinking you left eye, there are scientific description behind all the superstition people are having depending on their culture. Eye twitching is also referred to as myokymia. The condition is involuntary and an individual finds himself twitching the eye.
The spasms in the eye muscles are a common condition to many individual.  You may have experienced such condition and ask yourself why my left eye twitches does and symbolize. Although there are many established believes for these disorder but   medical reason behind them explain it better.
Spasms in the left eye come as result of involuntary contraction and relaxation of muscle around the eye. The sudden movement of muscle around the eye results from several factors;

1. Dry eyes, Normal healthy eyes should be well moist and lubricated by tears from the lachrymatory glands. When you have dry eyes due to dehydration of body fluids, eye twitching will be a common problem to you.
2. Eye infection, your eye can twitch due to disease. Your eyes can get infection from bacterial, fungi and viruses. Infection can be in one eye or both. Two common eye infections that can result to spasms are conjunctivitis and stye infection.  Conjunctivitis is characterized by pinkeye and people with these infection experience frequent eye spasms. Stye infection is characterized by bump development on the eyelid which interferes with muscle connection and nerves coordination around the eye resulting to involuntary spasm in your eye.
3. Lack of a sleep, insufficient sleeping is linked to eye twitching. When you sleep, it keeps your body muscle relaxed and rest for effective health functioning of the nerve coordination. Lack of sleeping makes your eye muscles to get fatigue hence initiate spasms in your eye.
4. Stress and fatigue, being highly stressed in your mind can result to eye twitching. Brain is the Centre of nerve coordination and if subjected to stress the immediate outcome is your eye spasms.
5. Pollution, your eyes are very sensitive to environmental pollutions like smoke, dust particle and harmful chemicals. Foreign material in the eye causes irritation that can result to involuntary spasms in your eyes.
6. Poor vision, when you straggle to visualize due to dim light or distance , your eye muscle are subjected to staining that can result to muscle spasm on your facial part. If you force to see what is not clear can result to twitching of the eye.
7. Consumption of alcohol and caffeine, the two drugs has side effect on the nerve coordination of the eye muscle which can result to spasms. Excess use of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks makes the body muscle to contact and relax involuntary. These suggest that if you abuse the two drugs, you create high chances for left eye twitching.
8. Eye allergy, some individual are vulnerable to allergies like smoke, pollen grain and dust that can result to spasm of eyelid. Most allergies are very irritating and when it enters your eye it develop serious problem like involuntary contraction of the muscle in the eye.
9. Neurological disorder, individual suffering from nerve disease such as ganglia can affect their eye muscles resulting to twitching of one eye or both.

Why is the Left Eyelid Twitching (Upper or Lower)

Muscle spasms also happen on the eyelids and you can feel sudden movement of the eyelid muscle by yourself. The involuntary contraction of eyelids muscles occurs mostly to many individual and it is a common problem. The condition is irritating and it might be a serious health issue. Twitching of the eyelids can be attributed to an eye disorder known as blepharospasm.
Left eye twitching could be the result of the dry eyes, conjunctivitis or due to light sensitivity.it can also be caused by other factors like;

• Pollution of the environment
• Lack of proper sleep
• Poor vision
• Infection of the eye such as bumps on eyelid
• Eye allergies
• Deficiency of vitamin and mineral like magnesium
• Suffering from neurological disorder like gaglia
• Excess consumption of alcohol and caffeine

Other neurological disorder can be related to involuntary blinking of the eye such as epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, Parkinson’s disease. Injuries on facial area can also cause involuntary eyelid blinking. Facial spasms on the eyelid can develop into inflammation and these calls for medical consultation. For these case medical checkup should be done to ensure the problem is done off.

How to Treat Twitching in Left Eye

According to your culture, twitching of the left eye could have positive superstition. But the fact is that you need to get medical consultation if you experience facial spasms because it could be a symptom of neurological disorder like Parkinson’s disease that requires medical attention.
If you ever experience left eye twitching and you came across these information, please don’t panic for no apparent reason because you need to understand these concepts .in addition Parkinson’s infection is characterized by prolonged spasm of the right part of the face.
If you experience extreme left facial spasms that occurs for more than three consecutive days. You need to seek for medical advice. Rare cases of left spasms as symptom of Parkinson’s disease have been reported to health records. Left eye twitching could be due to other infections or allergies that need special medication.
It is advisable to get doctor’s prescribed medication to relieve facial spasms. You will be give antihistamine and eye drops that will help to relieve the problem of eye twitching.

How to Stop Left Eye Twitching – Home Remedies

If eye twitching is bothering you and it is becoming a health issue, no reason to panic when you can have the following tips to get rid of these problems at home.

1. Have enough time to sleep

It is advisable to sleep more than seven hours each day because the recommended time to sleep per day is between seven to eight hours. When you sleep less than this duration it can result to health problems.
Lack of sufficient sleep greatly affects the eyes, to avoid the twitch of the right eye, go in your bed on time and relax to a deep slumber of about eight hours each day.

2. Maintain your eye well-lubricated

Having dry eyes contribute to spasms in the eyes. Fortunately the issue of dry eyes can be solved at home. Take lukewarm water on a basin and mix it with two table spoonful of honey and clean your face. Wipe it using washcloth. The honey in the water has a soothing effect on the eye and it will keep it well moist. The honey also reduces irritation of the eye and keeps it well lubricated.

3. Sooth your eyes.

When your eyes are stressed by action of watching television or movie in computer for long time, it can cause spasms in your eyes. To relieve these faster at home, take cold water on a basin and cold compress your eyes using washcloth. The eye muscles will relax.

4. Use milk drops

When your eyes are affected by allergies, smoke, pollution, dust particle and other chemicals like detergents, it is advisable to use cold milk by placing few drops in the affected eye. The milk has soothing effect that relieves irritation and twitching of the eye. Milk also lubricates your eye by moistening it.

5. Take a balance diet

Your diet at home will help you to escape problem of muscle spasms in the facial part. Ensure you consume food rich in vitamin, B12 and magnesium mineral. Green vegetables are good for magnesium, supplement your diet with vitaminB12 and bask on the sun every morning replenish vitamin.
Further Reference

1. http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Eye-Twitching-Superstition.html
2. http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/eye-twitching.htm

What causes foreign objects in the eye? Get more insights on symptoms, how to get something out of your eye fast, that you can’t see, on the upper lid, preventions and treatment.
Although cases of foreign materials in the eye are rare, almost everyone experiences it due to daily mishaps. Moving objects from explosives, dusty environment, insects and accidents are some of the common incidences that leads to objects entering your eye.

Foreign Objects in the Eye Causes

Foreign objects from outside the body can enter the eye and affect the cornea or the conjunctiva. The most common objects include:

• Eyelashes
• Sawdust
• Dirt
• Sand
• Cosmetics
• Contact lenses
• Metal particles
• Glass shards
• Dried Mucus

Most of the foreign objects that enters the eye may cause abrasions, scratches and even fatal injury to the cornea depending with the speed at which they enters. Eye infections and loss of vision are also due to foreign materials in the eye.
The cornea is a protective covering for the front eye. It is transparent to allow light to go through it as it also focuses it on the retina which is located at the back of the eye. Sclera is the white of the eye and is covered by a thin membrane regarded as conjunctiva.

Symptoms of a Foreign Object in the Eye

If you experience any of the following symptoms, quickly establish on how to get something out of your eye before it causes damages.

• Feeling of pressure or discomfort
• Sensation that something is in your eye
• Eye pain
• Extreme tearing
• Pain when you look at light
• Excessive blinking
• Redness or a bloodshot eye
• Discharge of fluid from eye.

How to Get Something Out of Your Eye, that You Can’t See

You can remove an object out of your eye using the following instructions.

1. Thoroughly wash your hands.

Wash your hands using a soap and clean water. Pat them dry using a clean towel to ensure they are clean. This helps in preventing spread of bacteria to the eye that may cause infection.

2. Locate the object in the eye.

Carefully examine the location of the foreign object in the eye before any attempt to remove it. The best way to do this is by moving the eye up and down, left and right and you will be able to locate it. Carefully look in the mirror placed in front of you.

3. Submerge your face in bowl of water

In a bowl, mix lukewarm water with a sterile eyewash solution. Submerge your face in the mixture and keep your eyes open below the water surface. Move the eyes up and down, left and right to enable them have maximum contact with the solution. Remove the face from water and submerge again severally as you try to blink the eye.

4. Flush using tap water.

Alternatively run the tap water through your eyes while they are open. Running water will help carry away the foreign objects or dilute chemicals that causes the pain and discomfort. This the easiest way on how to get something out of your eye at your home.

5. Taking shower

You can flush something out of your eye by getting into shower. Let the gentle steam of lukewarm water shower your head as you hold the eyelid open.

6. Removing contact lenses.

Sometimes when an object gets into your eyes, it is likely to get embedded on the undersurface of your contact lenses. Removing them can help in getting the substance or object out of your eyes.

7. Using eyecup can also help in flushing out foreign objects.
8. Let someone else do it for you.

You can help someone or get helped in flushing out something from your eyes fast. To do this ensure your hands are clean and the person is seated in a well-lighted area. Examine the eyes as you pull the lower lid down. Flush out the object using clean warm water.

9. Pouring warm water.

This method is suitable for young children. Instead of immersing the face in water, use a glass to pour warm water while the eyelid is open. For effectiveness, one person should pour the water while the other is holding the child’s eyelid open.

10. Wipe the eye with a clean cotton swab or tissue.

Once you finish on flushing out the object, gently wipe the eye using a cotton swab or tissue. While doing this, avoid direct contact of the cotton swab or tissue with the eye since it can trigger an irritation.
Caution

• Do nit rub the eye since this can scratch the cornea.
• Remove contact lenses before any process on how to get something out of your eye.
• Do not utilize any sharp objects in this process such as tweezers, pins are sticks.
• Do not remove any object embedded in your eye since it can be injured. Let the specialist do it.
• Do not remove too large objects that seem to be embedded in the eyes or one that sticks between the eyelids.

When to See a Doctor

Extreme cases of objects in the eye should be reported to the doctor or eye specialist to prevent serious eye damage or loss of vision. Seek for emergency care if the object has the following characteristics:

• It has sharp or rough edges.
• It is large enough to interfere with closing your eye.
• It contains chemicals.
• It was propelled into the eye at a high rate of speed.
• It is embedded in the eye.
• It is causing bleeding in the eye.
• The object resides within the colored section of the eye.
• The object is stuck and you are unable to remove it.
• There is blood within the colored section of your eye.
• You have removed the object, but you still feel severe pain, sensitivity to light, blurry vision or it still feels as though there is something in your eye.

How to Get Something Out of Your Eye that is Stuck – Treatment

Once you call or visit an eye specialist to remove foreign materials from your eye, the following procedures will be conducted:

• Application of an anesthetic drop which helps in numbing the eye surface.
• Fluorescein dye that will glow when illuminated with a special light to reveal the object is applied to the eye using an eye drop.
• The specialist will view the object using a magnifier and eventually locate it.
• Either of the above discussed method may be used to flush out something out of your eye.
• If the above technique fails, the physician will use special instruments like needle to remove it.
• Depending with how the object has affected your eye a treatment that involves antibiotics or ointment may be given to prevent eye infections.
• For larger corneal abrasion, the doctor may prescribe acetaminophen to ease pain and discomfort. Eye drops with cyclopentolate or homatropine may also be given to keep pupil dilated which will help the cornea to heal faster without causing painful muscle spasms.
• Your eye will always be investigated through CT scans to check on healing and possibility of any complications.
• After successful removal of the foreign objects, symptoms should subside within five hours although you will still feel a slight irritation and little discomfort for a day or two.
• Complete healing will take place within a week especially if the object did not cause any infection.

How to Prevent Foreign Objects in Your Eye

You can prevent objects in the eyes by following the following tips:

• Always wear safety glasses, face shields or goggles while working with power implement or chemicals.
• Use protective eyewear to shield your eyes while you are working in a health care facility to prevent body fluids from getting into your eyes.
• Wear goggles or face mask if you are welding.
• Always wear protective eyewear when you are involving in sports such as baseball, paintball, hockey or racquetball among others.
• Since children are highly susceptible, be a good role model by wearing eye protection.
• Purchase protective eyewear for your children and teach them how to use it.
• Educate children on how to handle sharp pointed objects and items that can get into the eyes.

Protecting your eyes against injuries and foreign objects is the best way to go. If it accidentally happen, try any of the above techniques on how to get something out of your eyes. If you can’t manage on your own, don not panic, call the doctor or visit an ophthalmologist – an eye specialist for treatment removal.

What causes eye twitching? Get insights on how to stop eye twitching, fast, naturally with best treatment and home remedies as well.

How to Stop Eye Twitching Fast

Eye twitching is a repetitive, uncontrollable blinking or spasm of the eyelid, usually the upper lid.
Eye twitching (blepharospasm) usually affects the eye muscles of both eyes. If you have eye twitching, you may have an involuntary movement that recurs every several seconds for a minute or two.
Have you been wearing the same pair of eyeglasses every day for work, sports, hobbies, driving, reading, and/or watching TV? If so, you may not be getting all the vision help glasses can offer. Here’s where you can learn about the different types of lenses available in eyeglasses for various lifestyle activities.
Most people develop a minor eyelid twitch at some point in their lives. A twitch usually occurs in the upper lid, but it can occur in both the upper and lower lids. For most people, these spasms are very mild and feel like a gentle tug on the eyelid. Others may experience a spasm strong enough that it forces you to close your eyelid completely. Some people never have any noticeable signs.
The twitches are painless and harmless, but they may bother you. Most spasms will resolve on their own without the need for treatment. In rare cases, eyelid spasms may be an early warning sign of a chronic movement disorder, especially if the spasms are accompanied by other facial twitches or uncontrollable movements. How to stop eye twitching will be important for you the reader.

What Causes Eye Twitching

Eyelid spasms may occur without any identifiable cause, and because they are rarely a sign of a serious problem, the cause is not usually investigated. Nevertheless, eyelid twitches may be caused or made worse by:

• dizziness
• eye irritation
• Eyelid strain: Some of the most common culprits include not wearing sunglasses on a bright day, wearing eyeglasses with the wrong prescription, staring at your computer for hours on end without an anti-glare screen cover, and smartphone or tablet usage.
• Fatigue: General fatigue can lead to dry, tired eyes and result in more occurrences of eye twitching. Try to get a full 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Also, limit your use of electronic screens such as TVs, mobile devices, and computer screens leading up to bedtime.
• lack of sleep
• physical exertion
• Medication side effects: you may want to know how to stop eye twitching medically, your doctor may run tests to measure your vitamin, mineral, and electrolyte levels since certain deficiencies (such as calcium) can cause eye twitching. Based on the test results, your doctor may prescribe something as simple as an over-the-counter supplement. Magnesium deficiency is the most common nutritional imbalance leading to eye twitches. If the twitch persistently recurs or is really bothering you, he suggests getting your magnesium levels checked (a simple blood test is all you need). If you’re deficient, focus on eating more magnesium-rich foods like spinach, almonds, and oatmeal, or start taking an over-the-counter magnesium supplement to easily meet your daily needs (310 to 320mg for adult women
• stress
• Use of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine: Too much coffee, soda, or even stimulant medications can lead to eye twitching. Try cutting back on your intake. Consult with your doctor first before altering your dose of any prescribed medications, though.
• Dehydration: Dehydration can cause eye twitching. Try increasing your water intake. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day.

If the spasms become chronic, you may have what’s known as “benign essential blepharospasm,” which is the name for chronic and uncontrollable eyelid movement. This condition typically affects both eyes. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but the following may also make spasms occur;
Light Twitching
For most cases, it is thought that fatigue, caffeine and stress play a major role. This type of eye twitch is benign and clears up on its own. Thus you may need to know how to stop eye twitching in such a circumstance. This doesn’t make it any less annoying to the person especially if the twitch is strong enough to make the eye lid fully close and open. It can interfere with vision and cause headaches or migraines too. This minor form of twitch is painless and harmless. It usually goes away on its own. But it can be quite annoying. And that’s especially true if the spasms are strong enough to cause the eyelids to completely shut and then reopen.
More Severe Twitching
How to stop eye twitching in severe occasions by a person is also relevant. In rare cases eye twitching can be symptomatic of a larger problem. Severe cases mean that the twitch has become chronic and often involves squinting or winking too. In some cases eye twitching is more than a temporary nuisance. Some people have spasms that occur frequently throughout the day. Symptoms can recur for days, weeks, or even months. That can cause a lot of emotional distress. It can interfere with quality of life.
In its most serious forms, which are relatively uncommon, eye twitching can become chronic. It can cause persistent winking and squinting. If it progresses to the point where you have difficulty keeping your eyes open, it can cause severe vision impairment.
This can lead to more severe vision impairment as you cannot control keeping your eyelids open. In these rare cases, your doctor may evaluate you for the following conditions that eye twitching can be a symptom of:

• Infection or inflammation of the eyelid
• Lack of eye moisture
• Sensitivity to light
• Conjunctivitis

Chronic eye twitching is a relevant issue to be discussed on how to stop eye twitching in such a severe condition, this chronic eye condition can also indicate the presence of a neurological or nervous disorder. Eye twitching has been associated with:

• Tourette’s
• Bell’s palsy
• Parkinson’s
• Dystonia

How to Stop Eye Twitching Naturally, Home Remedies

Eyelid twitching or eye twitching (also called blepharospasms) can be embarrassing, inconvenient, and downright annoying. It can also seem scary when you have never experienced it before. Eyelid twitching is an involuntary muscle contraction that can have many causes, including eyestrain, fatigue, dry eyes.
Excessive use of stimulants (such as coffee or medications), dehydration, or excessive alcohol use, but the main cause is stress. Regardless of the cause, don’t panic. You have several home options available to stop eye twitching and even the eyelid twitching.

• Start with hard blinking. Shut your eyes as tight as you can. Then open them up as wide as possible. Continue this type of blinking until your eyes begin producing tears. Stop immediately if you experience pain or if the twitching becomes significantly worse.

Doing this in quick succession spreads tear film evenly. This will cause relief by hydrating the eye, resting the lid, stretching the eye and facial muscles, and increasing eye circulation.

• Relax your eyes with an eye massage. Massage is one way of how to stop eye twitching. Wash your hands first before attempting this remedy. Using the index and middle finger press the lower eyelid gently in and then move the fingers in a small, circular motion to massage the muscle. This will help to relax the muscle.

Do not rub the upper eyelid as that will irritate the entire eye.Lightly massage your bottom eyelids in a circular motion using your middle fingers. Massage the lid of the twitching eye for approximately thirty seconds. To prevent irritation or infection, be sure your hands and face are clean first.

• Blink for thirty seconds. Try to do this with adequate speed. You should also make the movements very light. Imagine that your eyelashes are butterfly wings. The process of blinking is extremely important to your eyes. It relaxes most of the eye muscles, as well as lubricating and cleansing the eyeballs, which can stop the twitching.

Stop immediately if you experience pain or if the twitching becomes significantly worse. This sounds a simple method of how to stop eye twitching in first circumstance
Close your eyelids halfway down. You will notice that your upper eyelids constantly tremble with different amplitude. Concentrate your efforts on stopping this trembling. By squinting and helping visual acuity, you place less strain on the eyes. This may help a twitch resulting from a tired eye

• Exercise eyes with eye squeezing. Close your eyes for one full minute. During this time, squeeze your eyes shut more tightly then release without actually opening them. Perform three repetitions before opening your eyes.

This exercise can lubricate eyes by increasing tear production. In addition to helping with twitching, you can use the exercise to keep eye muscles strong
The eye is a muscle and like all muscles it can be exercised. Exercising a muscle helps to keep its nutrient levels and waste toxins in balance. All you have to do is to blink them shut and hold them shut for 1 minute. During this time, squeeze eyes then release and repeat this for about 3 times before opening. The action will also produce tears that will help to nurture and care for your eye.

• Give yourself an acupressure massage. Use the above image to locate the acupressure points around your eye.

Massage each point lightly in a circular motion for 5-10 seconds before moving to the next. Once you finish the sequence, start again from the beginning. Repeat for approximately two minutes.
For a similar acupressure technique, place your index and middle fingers on your eyebrows. Press gently and rotate them on the edges of your eye socket bone for five minutes. Acupressure methods help eye twitching by increasing circulation to the eye while the closed lid allows tear film to hydrate the eye.
To prevent irritation or infection, ensure your hands and face are clean first.

• Try eye hydrotherapy techniques. Hydrotherapy means water therapy and you can use it to relax your eye muscles. You can use running water for both the hot and cold actions, but it can be easier to do it with an ice cube.

Rub an ice cube over your closed eye and then wash the eye with warm water. The cold constricted the blood vessels in the eye and the heat opens them up. This allows for a flushing of the eye muscle and nerves to renew its nutrient balance too. Alternate between splashing your closed eyes with cold and then warm water.
The cold water will constrict blood vessels, and the warm water will dilate the same vessels. This process will help increase circulation and blood flow to the eye, which can help with twitching. You can also run a wet ice cube over the eyelid before splashing with warm water as opposed to alternating between warm and cold water. Repeat the process 7-8 times.

• Supplements: Science has discovered that nutritional supplements can do more than just help you achieve overall good health, they can also help to control certain symptoms. Studies have found that potassium, calcium and magnesium supplementation can all help to control or eliminate eye twitching.

How to Stop Upper Eyelid Twitching, Eyebrow and Lower Eyelid

Benign Eyelid Twitch 

(Also called eyelid myokymia)
This is a fine fasciculation (tiny muscle contractions) generally affecting one eyelid (more often a lower eyelid, but upper eyelids as well). Affected patients may feel as though their entire eyelid is “jumping wildly,” but observers barely notice the movement.
Twitching is episodic, lasting seconds to hours over minutes to months, but always eventually resolves on its own. Associated with stress, fatigue, and caffeine use.
Does not involve upper and lower eyelids on the same side or eyelids on both side of the face at the same time and rarely involves more than one eyelid at different times. “Myokymia” is probably a bad name for this problem, as the term is also commonly used to describe another, very different disorder.
Minor eyelid twitching is common and happens spontaneously. This condition is thought to be related to stress, fatigue or both. Minor eyelid twitches require no treatment as they usually disappear on their own. Reducing stress, increasing your amount of sleep, and decreasing caffeine intake may help to relieve eyelid twitches.
What causes hemifacial spasm?
It is believed that hemifacial spasm occurs when a blood vessel presses on the facial nerve that supplies the muscles to that side of the face hence the eyelid.
Drug treatment or surgery is used instead.
Drug treatment for blepharospasm requires patience, as finding a successful mix of drugs and doses may take some time. Some drugs are more effective for some patients than others, and certain drugs may produce short-term benefits, unpleasant side effects or both. It is important to follow the instructions of your ophthalmologist or neurologist, and report side effects if they occur.
Surgery is recommended when Botox and drug treatment do not work. There are two common types of surgery. One involves removing the facial muscle that is causing the spasms. The second involves removing a portion of the nerve in order to reduce the severity of the spasm. Short- or long-term side effects are possible and should be discussed with your ophthalmologist before surgery.

Eye Twitching Treatment

There are several medical and non-medical ways of how to stop eye twitching.
Eyelid twitches have many causes. The treatment that works and the outlook varies depending on the person. Research is being done to see if there’s a genetic link, but it doesn’t seem to run in families. Twitches related to stress, lack of sleep, and other lifestyle factors have the best outlook. If an underlying health condition is the cause, then treating the underlying condition is the best way to relieve the twitching.
Finding out ways for how to stop eye twitching can help you take care of the problem yourself, but you should see a doctor if the twitching continues for more than a week. Persistent eye twitching can indicate the presence of an infection, or be a symptom of a neurological problem.
If the spasms become chronic, you may have what’s known as “benign essential blepharospasm,” which is the name for chronic and uncontrollable eyelid movement. This condition typically affects both eyes. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but the following may make spasms worse:

• Bell’s palsy (facial palsy), which is a condition that causes one side of your face to droop downward
• dystonia, which causes unexpected muscle spasms and the affected area’s body part to twist or contort
• cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis), which causes the neck to randomly spasm and the head to twist into uncomfortable positions
• multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a disease of the central nervous system that causes cognitive and movement problems, as well as fatigue
• Parkinson’s disease, which can cause trembling limbs, muscle stiffness, balance problems, and difficulty speaking
• Tourette’s syndrome, which is characterized by involuntary movement and verbal tics

Most eyelid spasms go away without treatment in a few days or weeks. In most cases, minor eyelid twitch will disappear without you even noticing if you get enough rest and/or reduce or eliminate your intake of alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine. Blepharospasm does not occur while sleeping. If they don’t go away, you can try to eliminate or decrease potential causes. The most common causes of eyelid twitch are stress, fatigue, and caffeine. To ease twitching, try the following;

• Drink less caffeine.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Keep your eye surfaces and membranes lubricated with over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops.
• Apply a warm compress to your eyes when a spasm begins.

Lifestyle treatments may also help ease the symptoms of benign essential blepharospasm. Treatments also include:

• acupuncture
• biofeedback
• hypnosis
• massage therapy
• nutrition therapy
• psychotherapy, which can be helpful for Tourette’s syndrome
• tai chi
• yoga and other meditation techniques for relaxation

The most commonly recommended treatment for benign essential blepharospasm is botulinum toxin (also known as Botox or Xeomin). Botox is also commonly recommended for patients with hemifacial spasm. When injected in very small quantities into the eye muscles, the drug may relieve spasms for several months. But the effect gradually wears off. Repeat injections are usually necessary.
Doctors sometimes recommend medications such as:

• Biofeedback
• Acupuncture
• Hypnosis
• Chiropractic
• Nutrition therapy

But the benefits of  how to stop eye twitching using any of these treatments have not been established by scientific studies.
Further references

1. How to Stop Eye Twitching: http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/How-to-Stop-Eye-Twitching.html
2. Eyelid Twitch: http://www.healthline.com/health/eyelid-twitch#Overview1
3. Eye Twitching: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/why-your-eyes-twitch?page=3

What causes Pink Eye? Get Insights on how to get rid of pink eye, causes, and symptoms, best at home treatment, remedies and the incubation period for pink eye.
When pink eye is caused by a virus or bacteria, the infected person can be contagious for several days to several weeks once symptoms (itchy, watery eyes; with or without eye discharge) appear.

How do you Get Pink Eye

The infection of pink eye can either be through a virus, bacteria or an allergy. Conjunctivitis or pinkeye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue covering the eye and inner surface of the eyelid. It can be infectious (mainly caused by bacteria or viruses) or noninfectious.
The common types of noninfectious conjunctivitis are allergic conjunctivitis (caused by an allergic reaction) and irritant conjunctivitis (caused by anything that irritates the eyes, such as air pollution or chlorine in pools).
In most cases, infectious conjunctivitis causes only minor problems with no risk of damage to the eyes or vision. In very rare instances, though, it can cause permanent damage or even blindness, so be sure to see your doctor if you think you have pinkeye
If the source of the pink eye is viral, then the infection will need to run its course. In this case, you can relieve symptoms with lubricating eye drops to soothe irritation. Applying warm or cool compresses (whichever feels better) to the outside eyelids, with eyes shut, also can help relieve pink eye symptoms.
Topical antibiotic ointments or eye drops work to clear up infection in pink eye only if the source is bacterial. In this case, you need up to 24 hours for the eye drops or ointment to start working and for the infected person to no longer be contagious.
If pink eye is caused by eye allergies, then the condition is not contagious. But you should consult with your eye doctor to make sure you know which type of pink eye you or your child has.

Incubation Period for Pink Eye in Children

How long is the incubation period for pinkeye and if pinkeye is contagious depends on several things. Schools and day care centers often require a child diagnosed with pink eye to stay home until the condition is resolved either by attending to the doctor or by using natural ways on how to get rid of pink eye.
This is a good idea, because infectious conjunctivitis (pink eye) can be highly contagious in environments where children are in close contact with each other.
The answer to the question about pinkeye contagiousness depends upon the source or cause of the conjunctival irritation.
For example, bacterial and viral causes of pinkeye are almost always contagious and are spread from person to person. However, pinkeye caused by allergens and chemical irritants is not contagious by person-to-person contact. Pinkeye that is contagious has an incubation period as long as 14 days.
However, most doctors do not think that pinkeye becomes contagious to other people until systems start to develop. Some bacterial and viral strains are capable of being transferred from humans to pets (for example, dogs and cats) and also from infected pets to humans.
But determining how long pink eye is contagious and how long you or your child should stay home can be a little tricky. Generally speaking, it should be safe for you to return to work or for your child to return to school or to a day care center if the obvious symptoms of pink eye no longer are present — usually in three to seven days.

What Is the Incubation Period for Pinkeye in Children?

Once the eye gets infected by bacteria or virus, the symptoms do not appear immediately. The incubation period for viral infection is 12 hours to 3 days. When caused by bacteria, the symptoms appear after 1 – 3 days.

 Is Pink Eye Contagious During Incubation For Pinkeye Period in Children?

Pink eye caused by virus or bacteria is highly contagious, but during the incubation period for pink eye, it is not contagious. Bacterial conjunctivitis becomes contagious when the symptoms start to appear and continue for 24 hours after an antibiotic is given. For viral conjunctivitis, it is contagious from the time the symptoms appear and last for around
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) generally remains contagious as long as your child is experiencing tearing and matted eyes. Signs and symptoms of pink eye usually improve within three to seven days. When tearing and matted eyes are no longer present, it’s appropriate for a child to return to school or child care.
If the pink eye is caused by a bacterial infection, treatment with antibiotic drops or ointment for the eyes may be necessary. Some schools and child care facilities require that a child wait at least 24 hours after starting treatment before returning which is the recommended incubation period for pinkeye. Good hygiene — including hand-washing after touching the eyes — is important to minimize spread of the disease.

What are the symptoms of pinkeye in children?

Viral conjunctivitis may be present in many ways. A child may have a mild burning or itching with some mild redness and watering, or one may have severe discomfort with swelling and redness and significant discharge. The above symptoms should prompt you to seek the best way on how to get rid of pink eye.
There is no way to know how severe each individual case will become nor how long it will last.  Most children have some degree of redness, burning, and mucous discharge.  Crusting of the lids in the morning is also a very common symptom.
One may also notice a tender nodule near the ear on the infected side; this is a lymph node and is evidence that the body is fighting the infection.
Viral conjunctivitis usually starts in one eye.  About 60% of the time it will affect the other eye several days later.  The course of the disease may be very different between the two eyes.

What Happens After Incubation Period for Pinkeye?

After incubation period for pinkeye, the symptoms of pink eye begin to develop, including:

• Itchiness and irritation, and the conjunctiva slowly turns pink or red due to inflammation
• Swelling and redness of the eyelids and profuse watering of eyes
• A feeling of having sand in the eyes when you blink
• Burning sensation and photo sensitivity
• Wind and cold air can cause stinging sensation in the eyes
• Watery discharge is seen in viral infection and thick while pus-like discharge is seen in bacterial infection
• It can affect one or both eyes, if one is infected, it will affect the other

Incubation Period for Pink Eye in Adults

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
The incubation period for pinkeye- also known as conjunctivitis (the length of time between when someone gets infected and when symptoms appear) depends on what’s causing it, but usually ranges from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes. The most common symptom is discomfort in the eye, which may feel itchy or gritty. There often will be some discharge from the eyes and pain, swelling of the conjunctiva, and the very pink or red coloring that gives the infection its nickname.
It can be hard to tell whether the infection is caused by a virus or bacteria. In general, the discharge associated with viral conjunctivitis is watery, whereas it will be thicker and more pus-like when the infection is caused by bacteria. When you wake up in the morning, your eyelids may be stuck together (cleaning your eyes with a warm washcloth will loosen the dried crusts).
Itchiness and tearing are common with allergic conjunctivitis. Medically incubation period is defined as the period between the transmission of the allergens in to the eye and appearance of the symptoms.
The incubation period for pink eye is defined as the period between transmission and the beginning of symptoms. Once the virus or bacterium enters the eye, symptoms do not begin immediately. For a viral infection, the incubation period is generally 12 hours to three days. For pink eye caused by a bacterial infection, symptoms generally start one to three days after transmission.
You must make it very clear that both bacterial and viral pink eye is highly contagious during the incubation period. However there are some cases in which the pink eye is not very contagious during the incubation period.
A person suffering from the pink eye due to the bacterial infection is contagious when the first symptom of the infection appears till the twenty-four hours after the antibiotic has taken by him/her. So, you must get a treatment as soon as you notice the pink eye.
If the pink eye in a person is caused due to the virus then that person is contagious up to 14 days as soon the first sign or symptom of conjunctivitis is noticed.
Here you must take care that if you suffer from the bacterial pink eye then do not give the same antibiotic to anyone else in your family as that will not work in case that person may likely to suffer from the viral pink eye.
The antibiotics and the pink eye drops must be taken with the recommendation of your doctor. The antibiotics that are referred by the doctor are given to prevent the secondary infection which you may likely to suffer from.
You must consult your doctor before putting any kind of eye drop when you suffer from the pink eye infection. The doctor will diagnose what kind of pink eye you suffer from and accordingly you will get the treatment.
Among the ways on how to get rid of pink eye, there are home remedies for the pink eye that you can do to relieve yourself from the discomfort due to the pink eye. Wash off the eyes after every hour with the cold water. You can also soak a clean cloth in cold water and place it on your eyes.

Differentiating bacterial, viral and allergic conjunctivitis

In adults it is not always easy to determine whether simple, acute conjunctivitis is bacterial, viral or allergic. Ultimately, swabbing the eye provides the most accurate diagnostic answer but it is not practical to do this for every patient. However, in severe, resistant, atypical cases or in immunosuppressed patients, swabbing for culture and sensitivities is important.
A study has shown that, in adult patients, there is a significant chance that the infection is bacterial when there is a combination of:

• A positive previous history of infectious conjunctivitis.
• An itch present.
• A mucopurulent discharge (‘glue eye’).

When patients describe their eyes glued together in the morning, this doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a purulent discharge. Viral and allergic conjunctivitis often result in lids that are matted shut in the morning. However, these patients actually have crusting of the lashes due to drying of tears and serous secretions, not the wet, sticky, mucopurulent matting characteristic of bacterial conjunctivitis

How Long Does Pink Eye Last

Exposure to Contagious Pink Eye
It’s difficult to determine exactly how long pink eye is contagious, unless you know the source of the infection.
For example, the rubeola virus causing measles and accompanying pink eye symptoms is extremely contagious, often for as long as two weeks or more.
You also can be continually at risk of getting pink eye from exposure to certain adenoviruses found in water sources such as unchlorinated or dirty swimming pools. This is a good reason to wear swim goggles or a swim mask with a seal that prevents your eyes from being exposed to the water.
You or your child also can be infected with exposure to bacteria and viruses found in the environment, such as contaminated towels or counter tops. The risk of environmental exposure can last for weeks unless contaminated items are cleaned and disinfected.
This is why it’s a good idea to discard items such as mascara brushes and other eye makeup if you’ve had infectious conjunctivitis, even if your eyes have cleared up.
If you are being treated but don’t notice any improvement in your pink eye symptoms after about 10 days, be sure to notify your eye doctor.

How is Conjunctivitis treated?

How to get rid of pink eye mainly depends on the type of infection;
Bacterial Infection. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be prescribed. This can help shorten the course of the infection and the time it is contagious. Wipe away any discharge that accumulates before applying the medication.
Viral Infection. There is no medicine to cure a viral infection. However, many doctors may prescribe topical antibiotics to rule out the possibility of a bacterial infection. Applying cool compresses or artificial tears may help relieve symptoms.
Allergic or Chemical Irritation. Avoid the cause of the irritation (smoke, pollen, etc.). Apply cool compresses to the affected area. Eye drops containing antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve severe allergic conjunctivitis.

Is Pink Eye Contagious

Pinkeye can be contagious or noncontagious.
Unfortunately, the symptoms and signs of both contagious and noncontagious pinkeye often are so similar and difficult to tell. The symptoms and signs of both contagious and noncontagious pinkeye may include the following:

• Redness and/or swelling of the eyelids
• Pinkish color to the whites of the eyes
• Irritated, itchy, gritty and/or a sensation of burning in the eyes
• Increased tearing
• Yellowish or greenish discharge, sometimes with crusting
• Sensitivity to light

Diagnosis by a physician is usually done by physical examination and patient history; seldom are tests run because the only effective treatment is removal of noninfectious irritants and relatively short-term antibiotic therapy if bacterial pinkeye is suspected. In rare severe infections, physicians may utilize conjunctival scrapings and cultures to identify the infecting organism.
For the contagious type, infected people are usually contagious until the active infection passes and the eye secretions are dry.

How can I control and prevent a Conjunctivitis infection?

For control and prevention of a spread, it is advised that;

• Eyes should be kept free of secretions. Avoid contact with secretions and dispose of tissues properly. If a child is in school or daycare, keep the child at home until the eyes are free from discharge and dry.
• Avoid close personal contact.
• Frequent thorough hand washing should be used to control the spread of most infections.
• When children are infected, prevent toy sharing when eye secretions are present.
• Bacterial and viral Conjunctivitis looks the same. If eye drainage is present, consult a physician to determine if treatment is necessary.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually a benign self-limiting illness. However, it can sometimes be serious or signify a severe underlying systemic disease. Occasionally, significant ocular and systemic morbidity may result.
Infectious forms of pinkeye are highly contagious and are spread by direct contact with infected people. If someone has infectious pinkeye, avoid touching the eye area and wash the hands frequently, particularly after applying medications to the eye area.
Never share towels or handkerchiefs, and throw away tissues after each use. Disinfecting surfaces like countertops, sinks, and doorknobs can also help prevent the spread of infectious pinkeye.
Viral conjunctivitis can be prolonged and, in some cases, have lasting consequences. Adenoviral infection is usually (but not always) mild and self-limited, whereas herpes viruses can cause significant associated keratitis and uveitis.
Noncontagious causes (allergens and/or chemical irritants) of pinkeye do not spread to other individuals. Unfortunately, some chemical irritants and allergens can be spread through the air, but contagious causes of pinkeye are usually not spread through the air.
However, contagious causes such as bacterial and viral infections spread easily from person to person by touching an individual infected with pinkeye and then touching your own eyes or eyelids. Individuals who share items like makeup or eye shadow can transfer pinkeye from these surfaces to other individuals.
Pinkeye in newborns can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections and can be very serious for the newborns. Contagious pinkeye often spreads to both eyes in the infected individual.

How to Get Rid of Pink Eye

Understanding which kind of pink eye you are suffering from will help you in determining the type of treatment to apply. The different types of pink eye are caused either by a viral or bacterial infection, allergic reactions and chemical splashes into the eye.
All types of conjunctivitis causes the eye to become red, inflamed, swollen and teary. There are also other symptoms that will help you in determining the different types of pink eye according to wikihow.
Viral pink eye. This condition is caused by a virus. Its outbreak may be accompanied with other respiratory problems such as sore throat and cold complications. This type of pink eye has no medication, it usually needs to run its course that may take up to three weeks. It is also highly contagious and can affects other people who are close to infected person.
Bacterial pink eye. It results from a bacterial infection and it may cause presence of yellow or green discharge from the affected eye. The secretion may cause the eye lids to shut in the morning after waking up. It may affect one or both the two eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis may require doctor’s examination and treatment. You may be prescribed antibiotics and eye drops that helps in alleviating the symptoms.
Allergic pink eye. They are caused by allergic reaction of the body to different allergens in your environment. It is normally accompanied with other symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy and running nose. This condition usually affects both the eyes and it is not contagious. Eye drops containing anti-histamine may be used to relieve the burning sensation and other symptoms.
Chemical and foreign objects pink eye. Chemical splash may cause conjunctivitis. Alkali chemicals are very harsh as compared to acidic chemicals when they come into contact with the eye. Washing the eye with plenty of water may reduce the inflammation of the eye.

Visiting your doctor for treatment

The doctor has the skills and knowledge on how to get rid of pink eye using the various treatments. The doctor may diagnose and examine your aye carefully to determine the cause. He or she will therefore give a good recommendation on the medicines to use depending with the cause of your condition. You are supposed to visit your doctor in case of:
The symptoms become worrisome. For instance, when the redness of the eye deepens, excessive pain and swelling of the eye.
The condition affects your vision. When the eye are too sensitive to light or when you start having problems like short sightedness, visit your optician as before the condition becomes worse.
When the condition becomes resistance to some of the home remedy treatments for bacterial conjunctivitis.
Severe re-occurrences of allergic pink eye. You may be given some medicines that prevent this condition from re-occurring time to time.
When your body immune system is weakened with other viral infections such as HIV infections and other cancer treatments
You may be prescribed to use anti-histamine eye drops that helps in clearing the symptoms of histamines released by the body due to allergic reactions. The use of decongestant eye drops may also help in reducing the inflammation of the eye.
Antibiotics are also effective on how to get rid of bacterial pink eye overnight. They are given inform of pill and eye drops that helps in treating this condition fast. Take the medicines as directed by your doctor. Complete the whole dose even if you may start to see some improvements on the eye.

Home Remedies for Pink Eye – Natural Cures, In Babies, Adult Humans

What are the best pink eye home remedies? There are various home remedies and treatments that are effective in treating the conjunctivitis. You can simply get rid of the redness, itching, swelling and lacrimation by performing the simple procedures below:
Cleaning the infected eye
Cleaning of the infected eye on a regular basis helps in treating the condition fast. With clean hands use a cotton wool to wipe away the secretion and excessive water from the affected eye. Such secretions increases the multiplication of bacteria and virus in the eye.
Discard the used cotton wool or tissue paper immediately and wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning. If the other eye is not affected, avoid touching it with contaminated hands.
Chemical pink eye can also be treated by washing the whole eye using plenty of clean water. It helps in reducing the inflammations by washing away the chemical substances that splashed into the eye. The affected eye may get back to normal after 24 to 48 hours depending with the type of the chemical.
Warm or cold compress
Applying a warm or cold compress on the affected eye may help in reducing the swelling of the eye lids as well as helping in relieving the pain. A warm compress works best on a viral or bacterial pink eye while a cold compress may work best for allergic or chemical splash pink eye according to WebMD.
Soak a clean washcloth in either warm or cold water, wring it to get rid of excess water and place it over closed eye lid. Repeat the procedure 8-10 times twice a day until the condition improves. You may be asking yourself this question, is pink eye contagious while apply a compress? The answer is yes.
The compressing wash cloth may be carrying the bacteria or the virus after compressing the affected eye. Clean and disinfect it before compressing the other eye that may not be seriously affected. Alternatively, you may have a different compress for each eye using a different washcloth.
Raw honey
Raw honey contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that gives it power on how to get rid of pink eye fast and easy. It was used from traditionally by the ancient Egyptian in treating various eye problems including conjunctivitis. It works for both internal and external eye problems and you don’t need to worry about dosage while using. You simply estimate the dose that may work best for your condition.
To use honey, you simply need ½ tea spoon of raw honey, a pinch of sea salt and a glass of warm boiled water. Dissolve the two in the water and stir well to mix. Allow them to stand and cool for 5 minutes. Put the solution in a clean eye dropper and apply 2 drops in the affected eye three times a day. Repeat the procedure until the eye heals.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has the potential of treating both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. It contains antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties that are effecting in killing the micro-organisms that may be causing the eye problems. It helps in killing the bacteria and virus that causes re-occurrences of pink eye in children and adults.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as an eye wash. You simply mix 1 tea spoon of apple cider vinegar and mix in a warm cup of water. Use a cotton ball to wash the eye from the corners and the eye lids. Allow few drops into the eye. It may sting a bit but you will enjoy the benefits when it treats the eye.
Probiotics
Probiotics should be among your priority when thinking about treating pink eye at home according to natural cures. They help in killing the bad bacteria in the body while replacing it with a good bacteria. Bad bacteria in the body causes various problems such as conjunctivitis.
Probiotics is found in human breast and it has been used from traditional time in treating conjunctivitis and other eye problems. Breast milk also contain antimicrobial properties that are effective in treating the eye problems. Putting a few drop in the eye works magic by treating conjunctivitis in few hours.
There are also other supplements that contain probiotic. They can be taken on daily basis to kill the bad bacteria in the body. This helps in preventing re-occurrences of conjunctivitis. Other fermented milk products such as yogurt contain this important bacteria.
Colloidal silver
Silver eye drops are also effective on how to get rid of pink eye fast naturally.  It was used from long time ago before some of the pharmaceutical ointments became available. It contains antiviral and antibacterial properties that treats the eye fast without stinging.
Obtain your colloidal silver in a healthy food store near your location. Put some in a clean eye dropper and apply 1-2 drops in the affected aye. The conjunctivitis will be able to go within a day.
Lemon juice
Lemon or lime juice can be used for both antiviral and antibacterial in treating pink eye. Although this remedy is effective in treating conjunctivitis, it stings so much that can make you go mad for some minutes. You can simply weigh the short term side effects it has and its long term treatment and decide on what to choose.
You simply obtain some juice from the lemon and apply it directly in to the eye. If you find this remedy inappropriate, you may choose to use a different one. It is you are desperate, then it is highly recommended for pink eye treatment.

How to Treat Pink Eye – Over the Counter, At Home Fast

What is the best pink eye treatment? You can also treat conjunctivitis at home using over the counter medicines. Some of them are prescribed medicines and are only bough after a doctor’s diagnosis. You can also buy some without having a doctor prescription by simply observing and determining the type of conjunctivitis. They include the following:

• Ointments
• Anti-histamine
• Decongestant
• Artificial tears

This are over-the-counter mild saline lubricant that replace the tears in the eye. They are used to relieve the various symptoms of conjunctivitis by washing away the contamination caused by the virus, bacterial, allergens and chemical splashes into the eye. They help in improving the symptoms among individual with viral conjunctivitis since it has no medicines.
Anti-histamines eye drops
Anti-histamine eye drops works best for allergic conjunctivitis. The body reacts to allergens by releasing histamine that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva. Such eye drop will therefore help in alleviating the irritation and the swelling of the eye.
Decongestant
Decongestants does not heal this condition. They are effective on how to get rid of pink eye by alleviating the symptoms such as irritation, swelling and pain.

How to Cure Viral Pink Eye at Home

Viral conjunctivitis has no medication, the only way to cure is allowing it to go through its course. There are various antiviral medication and home remedies that can only help to improve the symptoms.
Applying a warm compress on the affected eye helps in relieving the pain and redness of the eye. Washing your hands thoroughly can help to avoid the risk of spreading the infection to the other eye. Clean the wash cloth and other equipment thoroughly to avoid spreading the infection.