Sore eyes (Conjunctivitis) – symptoms and remedies

Conjunctivitis (Sore eyes) is an infectious disease. These days we see an outbreak of this epidemic at many places and it is spreading at a fast pace. People from all age groups and especially children are getting affected with this disease. This article will deal with frequently asked questions about conjunctivitis like what are sore eyes, what are the causes and symptoms of sore eyes, what are the remedies for sore eyes, what care should one take if having sore eyes, etc. This article also provides a chant to provide spiritual healing in case of conjunctivitis.

If you have sore eyes or so that you may not develop sore eyes, perform the following chant of the deities! These days there is a widespread infection of conjunctivitis (Sore eyes). In case if anyone is affected by sore eyes, everyone in that locality should take care of their eyes as given in this article. One should also put eye drops or apply eye ointments in consultation with the Doctors if infected by sore eyes. One should also take care to avoid spreading of the infection to others. One should chant the collective Names of following Deities for ‘an hour every day’ for at least 7 days, if infected by sore eyes or to prevent occurrence of sore eyes. This chant can also be repeated in two sessions of 30 minutes each, instead of chanting continuously for an hour. ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya | Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya | Shri Hanumate Namaha | Om Namah Shivay | Om Namah Shivay |’ When one repeats all the above Names in the given sequence then it constitutes as one chant. Such chant should be repeated for the specified period (For example, 30 mins or an hour). — (Sadguru) Dr. Mukul Gadgil, Goa. (4.8.2023)

1. What is the meaning of sore eyes ?

Sore eyes is an infectious disease of the eyes. In this disease a sticky discharge oozes out from the eyes and the eyes become red and inflammed.

2. What is the reason for sore eyes ?

This disease is called ‘Conjunctivitis’ or ‘Pink eyes’ or ‘Sore eyes’. In general, this disease is caused because of bacterial or viral infection. The epidemic form of the currently occurring disease is a viral infection, which occurs due to ‘Adenovirus’.

3. What are the symptoms of sore eyes ?

Initially our eyes become red and subsequently sticky discharge oozes out from the eyes. Thereafter eyelids get swollen and they stick to each other especially in the morning. Overall, there is a lot of irritation in the eyes. If the sticky fluid flows out in large quantity, then at times the vision becomes blurred.

4. What are the other symptoms of sore eyes ?

If it is viral conjunctivitis one may get cold, cough, headache, body pain and at times fever too.

5. How does conjunctivitis spread ?

Since this disease is highly infectious, it spreads rapidly from one person to the other. If a person infected by sore eyes touches his own eyes and then touches an object with the same hand and if another person touches that same object and thereafter touches his eyes with the same hand then that other person gets infected with this disease. For example, conjunctivitis will spread rapidly if the articles such as handkerchief, pen, towel, spoon, sunglasses, etc. of a person afflicted with sore eyes are used by others.

6. What precautions should be taken by the patients suffering from sore eyes ?

6 A. If one realizes that he or she has got sore eyes, then one should immediately isolate oneself and stay away from others.

6 B. Do not touch or rub one’s eyes.

6 C. Use tissue paper to wipe the eyes.

6 D. Seek medical treatment only after consultation with the doctor. Do not self medicate (buy eye drops from a chemist shop and use it without getting a doctor’s consultation).

6 E. Consume a light diet.

6 F. Frequently wash their hands.

6 G. Do not share belongings with others.

6 H. Since children get easily affected by this disease, do not send the children having with sore eyes to the school.

6 I. Take warm water in a bowl, dip a cotton ball into it and gently rub it on the eyelids from outside.

6 J. Use black goggles to protect one’s eyes against strong light.

7. Precuations to avoid getting sore eyes

Do not touch or rub your eyes unnecessarily. If you come in contact with someone who has sore eyes, then wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a sanitiser. Do not use/borrow belongings of a person who has sore eyes.

8. How serious is this disease ?

This disease is not at all serious; however if proper care is not taken or if the disease is neglected and appropriate medical treatment is not taken, then it creates nuisance and takes a serious form. If appropriate medical treatment is taken, then this disease gets completely cured in 3-7 days.

Thus, if proper care is taken then we can overcome this eye disease. Taking certain ayurvedic medicines under qualified medical guidance also helps to cure this disease.

— Dr. Nikhil Mali, Ayurvedic Ophthalmologist, Chiplun, Ratnagiri District.

9. In case of sore eyes, following diet and medicines should be taken

A. Until the sore eyes are cured, instead of having regular diet, one should consume food items that are easy to digest such as rice and a curry made of green grams, soup of green grams (Liquid diet made by cooking green grams and adding a little bit of a jaggery and salt as per taste), spiced semolina porridge or sweet semolina porridge, a dish made from rice and green grams, flat breads made from jowar or bajra etc.

B. Chew two pinches of Triphala powder 4 – 5 times a day.

C. If there is a burning sensation in the eyes then the slices of cucumber should be loosely tied over the eyes in a clean cloth. Like cucumber slices, crushed leaves of the drumstick plant can also be tied over the eyes.

D. A pinch of Bhimseni Camphor should be rubbed on the centre of the palms of the hand and they should be held close to the eyes by keeping the eyes open. The palms should not touch the eyes. The burning sensation of the eyes gets quickly reduced with this remedy.

— Vaidya Meghraj Madhav Paradkar, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa. (1.8.2023)