Allergic Eyes
I am so not amused. The winds are picking up and I am really missing my Similasan eye drops. The powers that be in the USA have removed the choice of using these eyedrops from us. When they removed them from the store shelves in 2023, they did so without cause, as far as I’m concerned. They didn’t cite any adverse reactions to these eye drops. In fact, they didn’t even cite a single case of anything negative. Not cool.
So, what do we do without access to this really helpful product?
Fortunately, homeopathic remedies work on the entire system — eyes included. The Similasan eye drops may feel delightful when you use them, but the drops are not a required method of delivery for the homeopathic remedies to address the eyes.
There are 5 homeopathic remedies that I think of right off the bat when someone comes to me for help with their allergic eye symptoms:
Euphrasia
Pulsatilla
Natrum muriaticum
Apis
Allium cepa
Euphrasia is hands down the first homeopathic remedy I turn to for allergic eye discomfort -- actually, for any eye discomfort. In my list of 21 various eye symptoms that I used to compare these remedies for this article, Euphrasia is highly indicated in all but 2: bland tears and the desire to rub the eyes. (All 5 remedies are indicated in 6 of my symptom list: Bloodshot eyes, burning pain, inflammation, lachrymation, and light sensitivity. For the following symptoms, where multiple remedies are indicated for each symptom, I have underlined the remedy which is more highly indicated for each symptom*.)
*Never mind — looks like I can’t underline on Substack. How strange!
The first remedy listed is the more strongly indicated remedy for each symptom.
If you are suffering from bland tears — tears that do not burn and bother — your best bet is Allium cepa or Pulsatilla.
If your eyes feel like there is dust or sand in them: Euphrasia or Nat mur.
If your eyes are stuck together or the eyelids are sticky: Euphrasia or Pulsatilla.
If the pain in your eyes is a stinging pain: Apis, Pulsatilla or Euphrasia.
If the pain in your eyes causes you to wink and blink: Euphrasia or Apis. (If the sun causes you to wink and blink, look to Nat mur.)
If your eyes feel filmy: Euphrasia or Pulsatilla.
If your eyes feel dry: Nat mur, Pulsatilla or Euphrasia.
Aching pain in the eyes: Pulsatilla is your best bet. (If you have aching pain above your eyes, try Allium cepa.)
If the removal of homeopathic remedies from the store shelves irks you like it irks me, go to Americans for Homeopathy Choice and use their handy-dandy, easy-to-use form to send a message to congress and let them know you would like to have the option to purchase these safe and effective eyedrops once again.
Until that time, go the old-fashioned homeopathic route and try one of the above mentioned remedies which best match your symptoms.
If you suffer from more than just the occasionally irritated eyes from allergies, I highly recommend contacting a professional homeopath to see how they can help.
Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath
#wellnessawaits