3 common eye strains and how to heal them

The eyes are the windows into your soul — but they could also be a source of great strain. Here's how to alleviate the three most common problems.

Windburn or even barbecuing over an open fire can leave you with red, burning eyes. You're not likely to get rid of the irritation by rubbing — in fact, you might just make it worse. But as your grandmother could probably tell you, a compress made from daisy, eyebright, plantain or garden rue could be just the ticket. For hundreds of years, people have been using compresses made from these medicinal plants to soothe irritated eyes.

Other solutions

• You need go no further than the refrigerator to find another effective remedy for red eyes: just heat a little milk to lukewarm temperature, soak two gauze pads in it and apply to your closed eyelids for 10 minutes.
• Apply cucumber slices. They not only help with swollen eyelids, but also with reddened eyes.

Long hours at the computer, poor lighting, lack of sleep — all of these can result in eye strain that shows up in the form of burning, itching and watery eyes. For relief, rub your hands together until they're warm and place them gently over closed eyes. Look no further than your grandmother's cornucopia of natural remedies for more advice.

Other solutions

• Moisten a cloth with a calming tea made from boiled water and about 10 grams (1/3 ounce) each of rose blooms and thyme. Apply to closed eyes for five minutes after mixture has cooled. It has a calming effect.
• Make a soothing pain-reducing eye wash from about 250 millilitres (one cup) of water and a fennel teabag. Dilute the tea with an equal amount of water. When the solution is just lukewarm, rinse your eyes with it using an eyewash basin from the drugstore.

The most common cause of that angry-looking pustule on the edge of your eyelid is bacteria. You should never squeeze a sty — you risk causing a severe infection. However, with a little help from heat and herbal compresses, you may be able to bring it to a head so that the pustule opens on its own.

• Use infrared light to hasten the ripening of a sty. You can speed the process by applying warm compresses soaked in an infusion made from flaxseeds, fennel or chamomile — an effective and economical home remedy from long ago. Helpful hints: never reuse compresses and get plenty of rest.
• Soothe pain with a yogurt cold pack. Mix three tablespoons (45 millilitres) of yogurt, the juice of one lemon and 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of milk. Spread the mixture on a cloth and apply to your closed eye for 20 minutes. Repeat.