Top Natural Remedies for Dry Eyes - Internal and External Applications

Since my eyes were staying so red and veiny I decided to check out the info here on Earth Clinic for dry eyes. Wow a lot of people have this problem. The one thing I did was use aloe juice on my eye lids. I am very surprised and appreciative that my eyes are much better. I was dropping it in my eyes but it was very painful so I stopped. It was hard to believe applying it to my eye lids would work but it is great. My eyes are so much more comfortable. I tend to think more is better so the first day I did it about 8X. putting a small amount in the bottom of a glass and using my finger to dip in and apply to my eye lid until it was dripping down my face. I noticed more comfort and less red immediately. I would still suggest to check dry eye page on here. Hope this helps someone.

I tried virgin coconut oil and my cholesterol shot way up. Bad idea, and it didn't help my dry eyes. :(

John Doe, I know this is an old post however it may help someone reading more recent. First, no need to yell, second, Castor Oil, regardless where you buy or organic or not, etc., has always been used as a laxative, ask any one from days gone by, that and cod liver oil. I use Castor Oil for many things, (not as a laxative however, harsh) I have also not just taken the word of people, I do the real research. There is a lot of confusion about what it does, has in it, how its made, etc., and the way to know for sure is research (lots) yourself. I like Earth Clinic, it has lots of good remedies on the site, but always be safe and do the research first folks. yall have a good day

I take Omega 3 oil for my chronic dry eye syndrome.

My eye doctor wanted to put me on Restasis and also maybe put plugs in my tear ducts. I went home and did a research on the net. In Sweden (where I'm from originally) there was clinical studies done proving the O3 oil does work. I had some at home, but stopped taking it as I didn't like the fishy taste. I found someone who suggested to take them just before going to bed. I did and the next morning was such a change!!! So, now I do this every night! I do still have to watch what I eat to avoid too acidic food as that has an effect.

Hi, My name is Ryan and I was wondering if you were diagnosed with MGD or Blepharitis? If so did the castor oil help?

Thanks a lot, Coco.

I gonna try this. Bit I leave in belgium and don t know ig we have here Pakistan mangos. Normal mango also ok?

I have beautiful children a man and a house but the Pinguecula have worsed my live. I see everday people they have white eye only me I think. Can you send me a picture from you eye how they now.

Please. I put now lemon juice but I don t know if they work for me and my doctor don t won t remove it from my eye. That Pinguecula s. I have 4 Pinguecula.

My life gonna change if the Pinguecula gone forever. I hope whit power from god swt.

My dry red eyes are 100% cured! I have a pinguculae in each eye too which have significantly reduced in size and are becoming paler. The blood vessels in my eyes are pale pink now instead of being big red and angry looking.

In just two days of eating 1 pakistani fresh ripe mango in the morning an hour before eating any other food and 1 mango in the evening my dry eyes are completely relieved. This is a miracle!

Mangos from the indian subcontinent are very high in nutrition. I am going to do this every day during mango season. I eat other fruits as well but mangos made the biggest difference. When mango season is over I will keep eating a large amount of juicy fruits (a large amount of oranges, kiwis, melon, seeded grapes, cherries, etc). My body must have been severely lacking nutrition.

It has been exactly one week since I started eating two larges Pakistani mangos a day. I can see a lovely healthy shiny tear film over my eye. The change has been so drastic. I can't stop looking at my eyes. I used to hate looking at them, but now they are beautiful! :)

I tried other things too before I upped my fruit intake (apple cider vinegar eye drops, castor oil eye drops, etc). These were treating the symptom, not the cause. The cause was I wasn't eating the amount of fruit my body needed!

I can't tell you how happy I am. This has made such a positive difference to my life.

Please, please increase your fruit intake. In one day have the equivalent of two large oranges, 10 cherries, 10 seeded grapes, a quarter of pineapple, 2 kiwis. It sounds like a lot of fruit to eat every day but this is the amount of fruit we NEED to be eating every day.

My skin is also more moisturised, I dont need to apply oil to it after a shower anymore like I have had to for the last 25 years!

Honestly, this is nothing short of a miracle!

Okay, so it has been awhile with this Borage Oil experiment and at about three weeks I noticed that my dry eye condition started to diminish, similarly to the black currant seed oil and similarly, the benefit has been slow and gradual, so I would conclude from these two experiments that both borage oil and black currant seed oil are helpful for my dry eyes which are mainly a problem at night. I would not consider either one a cure as I feel certain that if I stop using the borage oil the effect will diminish just as with the black currant seed oil. Right now the main benefit I see is that when I wake in the morning, the pain associated with trying to open my eyes is almost gone and some days not a problem at all. Same thing if I happen to awaken at night, greatly reduced pain or discomfort upon opening my eyes. I have tried castor oil drops and they are helpful, but castor oil seemed to create its own kind of irritation during my waking hours so after trying a couple of brands, I have decided against the castor oil for me.

As far as any other benefit, the borage oil may be helping my skin to seem softer or smoother, but that is a very subjective thing for an individual to try and measure without proper equipment. Studies do tend to suggest that borage oil may be beneficial for skin in that it can help prevent transepidermal water loss. I have been taking this borage oil for roughly a month now and will update again if I find any other benefit with this experiment which I plan to continue for a bit.

EC, maybe you can add borage oil to your list of potential dry eye alternatives.

Art

I put castor oil in my eyes at bed time. I love it. Just get Organic and Hexane free.

In reply to Jane (Columbus, Oh),

Thank you for asking!

I just started on the borage oil this week as I had another experiment that I needed to finish first, so it is too early yet to know what if anything it will do for dry eyes.

As to diet, I have not changed my diet and don't want to at this point because I want to try and zero in on the affects of the borage oil, if any. If I try something else new at the same time, I can't know for sure whether any potential benefit is attributable to the borage oil, diet or anything else new to my regimen. I will post an update on this borage oil experiment if I find benefit for dry eyes or anything else.

Art

Art, Thanks very much for posting these studies; that took some time to do. I will be taking this information to my next ophthalmologist appointment next month.

I have two questions for you:

1. Are the borage oil capsules working for you?

2. Have you changed your diet based on the oils mentioned in the studies? If so, how?

Which kind if castor oil did you use, can you please specify, or send a picture of it, and how do you use it. I HAVE SEVERE DRYNESS, AND VERY DESPERATE. And like you I tried all kinds of eye drops and been to so many doctors, no improvement. Please help.
Lina, thank you

I think you are on to something there, as I stopped caffeine drinks and sugar along with increasing of fresh fruits and veggies and less grains my eyes feel better. I was told by doing that we change our bodies ph.

Thanks for posting all that.

Glad you found help, I would try to ascertain why those lenses did that especially if you still use the lenses. Otherwise the problem is probably still there and one would have to wonder how long before something different pops up? I suggest this from experience and would not want to wish that on anyone. Godd luck with it all.

Can anyone tell me if castor oil or Manuka honey has helped with mucus strings associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca? I'm am in pure agony. Can no longer work and constantly have stringy mucus discharge in my eyes that my doctor is saying is a symptom of this horrible eye condition. Thanks in advance.

I've had dry eyes for quite a few years and it has varied in intensity but the overall trend has remained to dryer over time. I mainly have the problem at night and when I wake in the morning it can be quite difficult to open my eyes as they are so dry. Applying eye drops helps, but they are more of a band aid that needs to be replaced regularly and don't seem to do anything to stop or reduce the problem.

I had read that fish oil can be helpful for dry eyes, but I have taken fish oils at up to 6 grams per day and didn't notice any improvement. I also tried using a higher quality castor oil around my eyes but not directly in them and that helped, but castor oil can be messy and it will rub off on your pillow, so not very convenient.

More recently I was experimenting with black currant seed oil capsules for another reason. I started noticing that my morning eye dryness seemed to be diminishing and somedays was not a problem at all. I discontinued the black currant seed oil and my eye dryness seemed to return so I started taking it again and the dryness seems to be diminishing again.

Based on this experience I decided to read about black currant seed oil and see if there were any reports suggesting it could help dry eyes.
I did not find any studies directly linking black currant seed oil and dry eye reduction or elimination. In looking at the label on my bottle of BCSO, I noticed that it has a fairly high gamma linolenic acid (GLA) content in the 14 to 17% area, so I decided to see if GLA has shown benefit for dry eyes and I found this on PubMed:

Cornea. 2003 Mar;22(2):97-101.
Systemic linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid therapy in dry eye syndrome with an inflammatory component.

Barabino S1, Rolando M, Camicione P, Ravera G, Zanardi S, Giuffrida S, Calabria G.
Author information
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To evaluate the efficacy and anti-inflammatory activity of systemic linoleic (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which decrease chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, on the ocular surface of patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
METHODS:
In a randomized clinical trial, 26 patients with aqueous-deficient keratoconjunctivitis sicca were consecutively selected from patients presenting to Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa. The diagnosis was based on dry eye symptom survey score, Schirmer-1 test values, positive vital staining with lissamine green, and fluorescein break-up time (FBUT). All patients had ocular surface inflammation based on HLA-DR expression, a major histocompatibility class II antigen, on epithelial bulbar conjunctiva samples. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 13 patients each. The study group received tablets containing LA (28.5 mg) and GLA (15 mg) twice daily for 45 days and used tears; the control group received a tear substitute and a placebo tablet for 45 days.
RESULTS:
Statistically significant changes in symptoms (p < 0.005), lissamine green staining (p < 0.005), and ocular surface inflammation (p < 0.05) occurred in the study group compared with controls. HLA-DR expression varied from 58.5 +/- 14.1% positive conjunctival cells to 41.3 +/- 18.9% in the treated group and from 61.4 +/- 21.9% to 58.0 +/- 13.3% in the controls. No statistically significant difference between groups was found for FBUT and the Schirmer-1 test.
CONCLUSIONS:
Therapy with LA and GLA and tear substitutes reduces ocular surface inflammation and improves dry eye symptoms. Long-term studies are needed to confirm the role of this new therapy for keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
PMID: 12605039

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Cornea. 2013 Oct;32(10):1297-304. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e318299549c.
Long-term Supplementation With n-6 and n-3 PUFAs Improves Moderate-to-Severe Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Sheppard JD Jr1, Singh R, McClellan AJ, Weikert MP, Scoper SV, Joly TJ, Whitley WO, Kakkar E, Pflugfelder SC.
Author information
Abstract
PURPOSE:
Supplementation with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been found to decrease the production of disease-relevant inflammatory mediators that are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic dry eye. This study evaluated the effect of a supplement containing both GLA and n-3 PUFAs on signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca in postmenopausal patients.
METHODS:
This multicenter, double-masked placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 38 patients (both eyes) with tear dysfunction who were randomized to supplemental GLA + n-3 PUFAs or placebo for 6 months. Disease parameters, including Ocular Surface Disease Index, Schirmer test, tear breakup time, conjunctival fluorescein and lissamine green staining, and topographic corneal smoothness indexes (surface asymmetry index and surface regularity index), were assessed at baseline and at 4,12, and 24 weeks. The intensity of dendritic cell CD11c integrin and HLA-DR expression was measured in conjunctival impression cytologies.
RESULTS:
The Ocular Surface Disease Index score improved with supplementation and was significantly lower than placebo (21 ± 4 vs. 34 ± 5) after 24 weeks (P = 0.05, n = 19 per group). The surface asymmetry index was significantly lower in supplement-treated subjects (0.37 ± 0.03, n = 15) than placebo (0.51 ± 0.03, n = 16) at 24 weeks (P = 0.005). Placebo treatment also significantly increased HLA-DR intensity by 36% ± 9% and CD11c by 34% ± 7% when compared with supplement treatment (n = 19 per group, P = 0.001,24 weeks). Neither treatment had any effect on tear production, tear breakup time, or corneal or conjunctival staining.
CONCLUSIONS:
Supplemental GLA and n-3 PUFAs for 6 months improved ocular irritation symptoms, maintained corneal surface smoothness, and inhibited conjunctival dendritic cell maturation in patients with postmenopausal keratoconjunctivitis sicca.Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00883649.
PMID: 23884332 DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e318299549c
[Indexed for MEDLINE]

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Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2009 Aug;247(:1039-50. doi: 10.1007/s00417-009-1080-z. Epub 2009 May 5.
Efficacy of a 2-month dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids in dry eye induced by scopolamine in a rat model.

Viau S1, Maire MA, Pasquis B, Grégoire S, Acar N, Bron AM, Bretillon L, Creuzot-Garcher CP, Joffre C.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in dry eye in a rat model.
METHODS:
Female Lewis rats were fed with diets containing (1) gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), (2) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or (3) GLA + EPA + DHA, for 2 months before the induction of dry eye using a continuous delivery of scopolamine and during scopolamine treatment. Two, 10 and 28 days after dry-eye induction, clinical signs of corneal dryness were evaluated in vivo using fluorescein staining. MHC II expression and mucin rMuc5AC production in the conjunctival epithelium were evaluated by immunostaining. Lipids and prostaglandins (PGs) E(1) and E(2) were analysed from the exorbital lacrimal gland (LG).
RESULTS:
Dietary PUFAs minimised the occurrence of corneal keratitis 28 days after induction of dry eye. The decrease in mucin production observed on the conjunctival epithelium was partially prevented by EPA + DHA supplementation after 2 days of scopolamine treatment, as well as by GLA and GLA + EPA + DHA diets after 10 days of treatment. The overexpression of MHC II in the conjunctival epithelium caused by dry eye induction was significantly reduced only with the GLA + EPA + DHA diet after 28 days of treatment. Dietary PUFAs were incorporated into phospholipids of the exorbital LG. Induction of dry eye was associated with a significant increase in PGE(1) and PGE(2) levels in the exorbital LG, which was inhibited by dietary EPA + DHA at 10 days (for PGE(2)) and 28 days (for PGE(1)).
CONCLUSIONS:
Dietary GLA, EPA and DHA significantly interfered with lipid homeostasis in the exorbital LG and partially prevented the course of dry eye. In particular, our results demonstrate the efficacy of the combination of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs.
PMID: 19415319 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-009-1080-z
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
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So based on these abstracts and my experience it appears that GLA is useful for dry eyes and fish oil may also work well with it, but fish oil alone was not helpful for me. Also of note is that linoleic acid (LA) may work together with GLA to help ameliorate dry eyes. With this information I looked for a supplement that may be potentially better than black currant seed oil and that supplement would be borage oil as it contains a higher percent(24%) of GLA and it also contains LA. Borage oil also has antiinflammatory properties as determined by multiple studies and consequently offers other health benefits beside alleviating dry eyes. On my next supplement order I may add the borage oil to see if it is similar or better than black currant seed oil for amelioratimg dry eyes.

This is what I used:
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-efas-black-currant-seed-oil-gla-omegatru-180-sgels

This will probably be the one I use next for the experiment:
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-efas-borage-oil-gla-omegatru-1000-mg-60-sgels

Art

Had lasik done in july 2016. Horrible dry eyes right now. None of the drops work so I had plugs put in. I'm not getting much relief from that either. Any advice on post lasik dry eyes will be greatly appreciated.

I've found that my burning eyes could be helped by applying a solution of Baking Soda in water to eyelids and get instant relief. And a while back my sister reminded me that my grandmother (who lived to 103) would start her day off with Baking soda in water and wash her eyes out with the solution...not just applying to eyelids. I've been doing that for a few weeks now and find my eyes don't burn nearly as much, even when I've had too much acid foods during the day (coffee, Tex-mex).

I just reread my previous post. I didn't mean to discount the fact that the ricin protein can be denatured by heat - all proteins can be denatured (sorry Kelly). And that method is in fact used to destroy residual ricin in some (cost/quality trade-off) processing methods. I was too focused on addressing that therapeutic grade castor oil (cold pressed, hexane free, etc) use better processing methods for extracting the oil so that there is no need to use heat to "clean up" the oil.

Kelly is correct that the castor seed contains the cytotoxin ricin. She is also correct that castor OIL does NOT contain ricin. But she is mistaken as to why.

Ricin is a water soluble protein and is partitioned out during oil extraction - whether hot or cold. That said, it is possible for small amounts of ricin to be present if the processing is not pharmacy grade, or therapeutic grade (such sub grade castor oils might be sold at a grocery store). So while it may seem obvious, if someone is looking to use ANY product in their eye (or body) significant thought and care must be taken to choose a quality product.

Note: Both the medical and natural health communities agree that (quality grade) castor oil is safe for use in the eye. And it has been literally used for millennia. Any of this information can be easily verified by doing very simple searches using your favorite search service (google anyone?). For instance, "Does castor oil contain ricin"?

I saw 7 doctors for dry, inflamed, red, itchy eyes. Total waste of $ and time as usual. My dry eyes were really bad at night I had to wake up several times a night and use drops. I read about oil pulling and that you should do it longer for severe cases. I considered my case severe.

I mixed 1 big teaspoon of organic virgin coconut oil and 3 drops of oregano oil together. I oil pulled for 45 minutes a night and sometime I would do it twice a day. I also started alkalizing twice a day (squeezed lemon juice, baking soda in glass of water).

Oil pulling naturally CURED my red, severe dry itchy eyes, and my brain fog is gone as well something seven doctor could not cure!

Cold pressed oils are by definition not heated during extraction...

I work in moms nutrition store every now and then. I just heard a good testimony so I'm posting it. There is a supplement "Eye formula" that you take internally that helps relieve dry eyes rather quickly. Ingredients in the "Eye formula" are: omega 3 (70% better absorbed then regular fish oil), lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanathin, blueberry extract, grape seed extract).

All castor oil is not the same. Home Health does not burn my eyes. I tried others and burned badly.Put in a bottle with dropper use at bed time and during the night store larger original bottle in refrigerator. Also use a soft cloth over my eyes when sleeping as my eyes do not close completely when asleep. This helps but must be done daily.

Have your hormones checked? Progesterone and estrogen.

You can suffer from dry skin, eyes, etc.

I made my own DHEA (Dihydroepiadrosterone) eyedrops. And took the OTC Supplement also. I used 2 bottles of "SYSTANE" Eyedrops to suspend into them 100 mg ground fine Dhea. Refridg'd applied with " clean technique" using each hand on one eye @ a time.

Leave eyes closed for 2 -5 minutes, then take a clean double tipped Qtip DIPPED IN Strile Saline to GENTLY Clean the whitish muck from the corner of each eye. DO THIS CAREFULLY! KEEP THE BOTTLES REFRIDGERATED.

I GOT WELL. I had been ON Restasis, 2 WEEKS. Hated IT! Punctal plugs!? I Refused. Dr a$$ "punished" me for that. I am doing fine, its been years. I am now only intermittently taking Dhea by mouth! I researched and found out about Pekingnese dog trials using "DAKRINA DROPS" I copied the recipe (sorta') ;)

1 capsule a day of Flax Seed Oil keeps dry eyes away for me.

Magnesium, potassium etc. are electrolytes. Dry eye is a symptom of hyperosmolarity, or low water=high salt, probably from evaporation of tear water and hence loss of electrolytes. So you are replacing them orally. Thera tears for contact lenses has electrolytes in it. Am using a drop, mother Oasis Tears Plus, one drop....has a lubricant and hyaluronic acid which attracts and holds water. This has worked.

I believe hyperosmolarity, and loss of electrolytes with Dry Eye mirrors what goes on in the lens that creates Cataracts. Can't figure out how to get the same cure to the lens. Suggestions?

Thanks for your detailed post. I've had two nights and days of improved dry eyes since using mouth guard (chemist bought - found one with an added thin separate layer which I removed after heating and fitting. It is thin, comfortable and doesn't fall out). I've had dry eyes for 3 yrs. I'm 66 yo woman.

We see a lot of people with dry eye. Recently, we have had a number of client start using a manuka honey drops for dry eye that is caused by inflamed eyelids. This is known as meibomian gland dysfunction of posterior blepharitis.

In the drop form it is dosed 4 times per day and in the ointment form once or twice per day. People report that its stings a bit especially the ointment.

People find that it helps and when we look at their eye lids they do look a little less inflamed. We have more information on our blog http://www.drwetperth.com/optimel/. I won't mention the product name, we don't sell it but the drops are widely available in pharmacies. The ointment is only sold through certain optometrists.

When I visited ND for dry symptoms, he looked my eyes through light and said my eyes are acidic.On my own, I used very weak solution of baking soda and water. It helped me for while, but later my eye sight started to be affected negatively by it. I went to Russia and saw Russian eye professor and she checked my eyes through eye machines and said that my eyes are dry because the lids of my eyes are inflamed, and I started to loose some of my eye lashes and that was enough to stop the tear and natural eye lubricant flow from my eye lids to my eyes.She used some simple tool almost as tweezer and under eye machine for 10 days in a row, squeezed some stagnated and stocked oil lubricants that plugged my eye lids.

These 10 treatments which was very cheap to treat, the dry eye symptoms.From time to time, I do have dry eyes only if eat and drink milk product.which indicates that candida is in my body. I hope this will help someone. Thank you

What is VCO?

Karen

• This might be me you were writing to. I have been using baking soda mixed in water and gently applying to closed eyes ...eyelids... for a number of years now. Dry eye situation is much improved. Whenever I have too much coffee or too many acidic products if I use the baking soda and water this always helps immensely and usually completely relieves me of the difficulty. You asked which quantity is correct. There is no certain amount but I typically use about a third of a teaspoon baking soda and a half glass of water. It can be less it can be more. Whatever suits you.

I see two different amounts of water and baking soda:

1/3 teaspoon in 1/2 cup of water in your first post, then

1/4 teaspoon in 1 cup of water in a follow-up post.

Am curious which one is preferable. Thanks.

I was starting to get dry, red, irriated eyes and the eye doctor told me to stop using a fan. it worked.

Black Seed Oil in just a few days relieved my terribly dry eyes. They were so bad that I had to use ointment in them at night, sometimes if I didn't, when I would wake up they would be so painful and feel like they were ripping. I had an antibiotic ointment by the side of my bed, and I would put over the counter ointment in my eyes regularly. I was amazed that in just a few days, taking a tiny dosage (1/4 teaspoon) of black seed oil, I had no trouble with dry eyes at all when I woke up in the morning! I do not know if I have Sjogren's, but I do have some of the symptoms, I just haven't been tested yet.

You could try MG probing. It's fairly new and it might be hard to find an ophthalmologist who does it. It changed my life.

How much silver hydrosol do u use? Is it safe to use it everyday? I have been using it 3 times a day but I am not sure if I can continue....it helps my dry eyes thou.

Yes, I too find that castor oil burns a bit and blurs the vision because of the oil. By morning though it is not blurry.

You could try just putting the castor oil on your eyelids. It is quite penetrating and that may achieve your goal, even as well as putting it into your eyes.

Or try Dave's formula for dry eyes.

~Mama to Many~

I recently started using castor oil (at bedtime) for my dry eyes. Has anyone found that the castor oil "burns" their eyes? It is uncomfortable and causes my vision to be blurry.