Epidermolysis Bullosa Home Care Programme Treatment Physical care eyes

Many eye problems are caused by exposure of the eyes to wind, draft, bright sunlight and heat. This causes small lesions to the cornea and eyelid (see chapter Disease & Treatment: Symptoms). Eye care includes the prevention of eye problems and the care for eyes if there are problems all the same.

Prevention

To prevent eye problems the eyes should be exposed as little as possible to wind, draft, bright sunlight and heat.

Exposure to bright sunlight can be prevented by the use of sun blinds on or in the house, caps with peaks and sunglasses. Caps should be made of soft fabric, especially the front part that covers the forehead. Sunglasses may cause blistering around the nose and ears.

Exposure to draft can be prevented by avoiding drafts in the house (no open windows opposite each other), by mindfully using fans and by staying out of the wind as much as possible. (Sun)glasses may possibly afford some protection against the wind.

Treatment

If the eyes are damaged or irritated it might be helpful to apply gauzes to the eyes that have been soaked in potato fluid:

Peel some potatoes and cut them in small parts. Boil some water and leave it to cool for a couple of minutes, then add the cut potatoes. Leave this for one to two hours. Then dip some gauzes in it and leave the potato fluid subsequently for 90 minutes so it can be absorbed. Next, put the gauzes on the eyes. The gauzes can be secured by Tubigrip® or Tubifast®.