9 Homeopathic Medicines to Manage Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis refers to an inflammation or an infection of the tear sac at the inner corner of the eye. Homeopathic medicines for dacryocystitis help to boost the body’s defence mechanism to fight the infection and provide natural relief.

The tear sac is the upper dilated ends of the nasolacrimal ducts (or tear duct) that fill with tears secreted by the lacrimal glands before they get discharged down the nasolacrimal duct into the nose. Tears are produced by lacrimal glands and on blinking the tears spread across the eyes and keeps the eyes moisten, clean and free of bacteria. Afterwards the tears drains through puncta in nasolacrimal duct then into back of the nose. After this new tears comes in and the process is repeated.  When there occur any blockage in the tear sacs or the tear ducts then this cycle gets disturbed and used tears can’t drain from the eye. This favours the bacteria to build up inside the tear sac resulting in an infection. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is the major bacteria causing agent behind it.

Causes 

This infection arises mainly from blockage in the tear duct. This blockage can happen for many reasons. Firstly it can arise in case of sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the para sinuses) and nasal polyps (soft, non cancerous growths on the lining of nasal passages or paranasal sinuses). Next reason is an injury to the nose or the eye. Thirdly tumours in the paranasal sinus or foreign object in the lacrimal duct can lead to it. It can also follow a surgery on the nose or paranasal sinus.

In infants it is common if they have a blockage of the tear duct by birth resulting in congenital dacryocystitis.

Other than above persons having deviated nasal septum (DNS), hypertrophy of inferior turbinates and inflamed mucous membrane of nose (rhinitis) are at risk of it.

Symptoms 

In these cases firstly redness and swelling occurs in the lower inner corner of the eyelid. This area is also painful. Next there is mucus or pus discharge in the corner of the eye. Other than these watering / excessive tearing from the eyes and fever may be present. The intensity of these symptoms vary from person to person. 

Types 

It can be acute or chronic. In case of acute type the symptoms begin  suddenly and are usually severe in intensity. In cases of chronic dacryocystitis the starting of the symptoms are gradual and the symptoms are less severe as compared to the acute type. 

Complications 

If not treated well in time then there is a chance that it can becomes chronic in nature. Dacryocystitis in babies carries a chance to spread to the eye socket. This may result in serious complications that need urgent medical help as these can be life threatening. It includes meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). Secondly, it may lead to collection of pus (abscess) in the brain. Lastly sepsis can happen which is spread of infection throughout the body.

Homeopathic Medicines for Dacryocystitis

Homeopathic medicines offer good help in cases of dacryocystitis. These medicines help to manage its signs and symptoms including redness, swelling, pain, mucus or pus discharge, watering/excessive tearing from eyes. The homeopathic medicine for managing these cases is selected individually based on the symptom presentation. So a homeopathic physician must be consulted before taking any homeopathic medicine. It is to be noted these medicines are recommended for cases in which the symptoms are mild to moderate in intensity. In case when symptoms are severe or have any complication then it is strictly advised to take immediate help from conventional mode of treatment

1. Pulsatilla – For Early Stages 

Use of this medicine is indicated for early stages. It is a natural medicine prepared from plant Pulsatilla Nigricans having the common name wind flower. This plant belongs to family ranunculaceae. Persons needing it have redness and swelling at the edge of their eyelids. With this there is mucous or pus discharge at the inner angle of the eye. Due to this discharge the eyelids may stick up in the morning. They may also have tearing, shooting or stinging pain. A burning sensation may also be there. Other than this they may have excessive watering from the eyes. The watering gets worse in the morning and also in the open air.

2. Silicea – From Swelling in Right-Sided Lachrymal Sac

This medicine is prominently indicated for cases having swelling specifically in the right sided lachrymal sac. In  cases requiring it a little lump is present at the corner of the eye and skin over it is inflamed and painful to pressure. There is a throbbing type of pain present in the swollen sac. With this there is flowing of tears which are hot. This is usually present in the evening. While in morning time mucous secretion appears.  Burning pains in the right eye may also attend.

3. Hepar Sulph – When There is Pus Formation

This medicine works well when pus formation has occurred. People who need it have great sensitivity to touch the inflamed area in the inner corner of the eyelid. Along with it pain of throbbing nature is felt. The inflamed area is also sensitive to cold. It also offers help when there is watering from the eyes. It is constant where it is required. Along with speeding up the process of pus discharge this medicine is also known to prevent formation of pus in these cases.

4. Merc Sol – To Manage Excessive Watering

This medicine is useful to manage excessive eye watering. In most cases this is worse in the evening time. The eyelid is swollen with this. Redness of lids is also noted. It is accompanied with pain. The nature of pain may be pressive or cutting type. The lid is also painful to the slightest touch. It is also helpful to manage mucus and pus discharge. It is thin where it is needed. 

5. Graphites – For Pain in the Inner Corner of Eyelid

This is a very beneficial medicine for managing pain in the inner eyelid corner. This region is also red and inflamed. Pain is also present there. The pain is mostly stitching in nature. In some cases a burning sensation is also felt. Itching can occur sometimes. Next, there is frequent watering from the eyes. It usually gets worse in the open air. 

6. Apis Mellifica – For Slight Inflammation of Tear Sac. 

Apis Mellifica is a valuable medicine when there is little inflammation of the tear sac. Firstly, there is a stinging sensation in the inner angle of the eye when it is required. Secondly, there is soreness and swelling in this area. Next smarting sensation can also be there. Itching is sometimes felt. Other than this there is excessive watering from eyes with burning sensation. Cold application may relieve the inflammation in persons needing it.

7. Natrum Mur – For Redness, Soreness of Eyelid

This medicine is indicated when there is redness and soreness of the eyelid. Mucous secretion is present with this. Other than this watering from the eyes may occur, particularly in the open air.

8. Calcarea Carb – For Swelling and Throbbing Pain

It offers help in persons having swelling and throbbing pain. They may have smarting, burning sometimes. There can also be cutting pain in the eyelids. In daytime they may have watering and smarting pain in the eyelid.

9. Stannum Met – When Yellow White Discharge is Present 

It is a useful medicine when there is a presence of yellow white discharge. With this biting sensation in the eyes is there. Pustular swelling at the inner angle especially of the left eye is present with above symptoms.