The white of your eye consists of layers. If the outer layer, called the sclera, has inflammation, you have a condition known as scleritis. The swelling in this tissue may stem from the effects of conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, but, in some cases, your eye doctor may not know the cause for your condition. Supplements such as Echinacea purpurea do not have any known connection in treating or preventing the condition, but medications will typically resolve your symptoms.
Symptoms
If you have sclera inflammation, you may have eye pain and light sensitivity. This may cause extreme discomfort depending on the severity of the inflammation, and this discomfort may cause your eyes to water excessively. You may also experience redness and changes in your vision.
Echinacea Purpurea
Echinacea comes in a variety of forms, but Echinacea purpurea, the most commonly used, may have the most potency, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This supplement may help reduce the duration of colds and infections by boosting the immune system. Although Echinacea purpurea does not have a known connection to scleritis, if you have sclera inflammation due to an immune system condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, in theory, Echinacea may help your body fight scleritis, reducing the duration of the condition.
Treatment
Even if Echinacea purpurea does help reduce the length of time you have scleritis, this supplement cannot treat scleritis or reduce inflammation. Your doctor will typically recommend a steroid eye drop or other anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce inflammation and prevent complications. Left untreated, the inflammation in the sclera may thin the sclera and result in perforation, a condition that may cause a tear in the eye itself, resulting in leaking and other damage. This may permanently damage your vision.
Considerations
You should not use Echinacea purpurea or other supplements for scleritis unless directed by your doctor. Herbal supplements may interact with medications or other health conditions, resulting in serious side effects.
If you exhibit signs of scleritis, contact your eye doctor immediately. Prompt treatment may help prevent inflammation from worsening and may reduce the amount of time you have the condition.
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