Apple Cider Vinegar for Pink Eye

5 star (41) 
  85%
2 star (1) 
  2%
1 star (3) 
  6%
(3) 
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The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Mary Martinez (Arcadia, CA) on 10/22/2022:
1 out of 5 stars

WARNING!

I was a big advocate for putting drops of Apple Cider Vinegar in my eyes mixed with distilled water. I had cataracts that is why I did this. I just had a doctor inform me that I had a tear in my Retina. He had to do a laser in the back of my eye. No more apple cider vinegar mixed with water for me!!!

REPLY   10      

Cupoflove (Silver City Nm) on 07/08/2020:
5 out of 5 stars

I had horrible eye infection going on for almost 2 months, lost my job in and out of hospital. High doses of multiple antibiotic ECT. Pain swelling redness constant puss running out. finally thanks to God I looked on earthclinic. The only vinger I had was the big cheap. Bottle of distilled Apple Cider Vinegar. I put a tablespoon in a cup of warm water. clean both eye eyelashes got out all gunk and the dropped about six drops in both eyes ..augh the burn was something else and my eye just oozed out puss and gunk ..

I clean them again and repeat until gunk slow down and then oh my gosh sweet relief and eyesight return.. first time in over a month with no eye pain. I repeated this every hour until bed time I woke a couple times during night and would repeat clean drops clean drops until eyes were clean and fresh. I woke this morning swelling gone. Eyelashes not stuck. Redness almost gone ...gunk gone ...I'm in shock . thank you so much . blessed be earth clinic forever

REPLY   41      

Cupotea (Los Angeles) on 01/04/2018:
5 out of 5 stars

Apologies in advance. This is a bit long, but I just have enjoyed the benefits of this remedy and am thrilled to have this in my self-care medicine cabinet!

I just thought I’d add my two cents because it’s been a life-saver for me. It’s my go-to whenever I have gritty or dry-eyes or the occasional pink eye from wearing contacts too long (admittedly sometimes falling asleep in them too often). I first found this remedy here because I was desperate. Back in the days of living with no health insurance, too many all-nighters and being a dry eye having, contact lens wearing, cosmetic lover. While working one of my most stressful jobs, I came down with a combination head cold and eye infection that forced me to go to the doctor. I was put on a course of about 10 days of antibiotic eye drops ($60 for a tiny bottle not including doctor visit). I tossed my eye makeup, contacts, cleaned all my brushes and followed the prescribed cleansing with warm water/cotton balls and eye drops and saw it improve. Then the next week it came back—I think it hadn’t completely gone away. I went back for a second bottle of eye drops. It didn’t work because it seemed I needed to use something stronger or use it longer. In any case, I could see this being a recurring issue due to my lifestyle.

I luckily found this site, ACV remedy and it’s happy users. I tried the method of lightly tinting about 1/4 cup of water with ACV, gently wiping with one soaked cotton ball per eye, discarding and saturating each eye with fresh soaked cotton balls (letting a few drops get into each eye). It stung slightly and caused my eyes to tear. By the end of the day (3 applications later), I saw less redness, swelling and gunk. By the third day, there were no more symptoms. I continued a couple more days, but only 2x a day to be sure it was gone and no contacts or makeup for a whole week. I’m so grateful this was shared on here—best ever remedy for me! I even occasionally use it for maintenance to flush out my tear ducts when they’re irritated or have been feeling drier lately. I haven’t had to use artificial tears anymore.

Please be sure to dilute! As other users have noted, you can injure yourself if you’re not careful (it’s an acid). If in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution. I tested it with a very diluted solution at first and got a feeling for what I could tolerate. But, I noticed for me, 1/4 tsp ACV to 1 cup water is tolerable and resolved pink eye nicely over 4 days or so.

REPLY   23      



Alan (Hawaii) on 08/22/2017:
5 out of 5 stars

Diluted is only way to use it, nothing more than a mild sting, in used it in a eye bath, ie flooded my eyes, maybe I teaspoon in a cup of water

Cured my eye issue in one day

Did u use it alone? Full strength? If so, no wonder u had an issue.

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REPLY   20      

Rye (Los Angeles) on 07/09/2017:
5 out of 5 stars

I wasn't wrong risking my eyes on this! My infection started on a saturday and people say that this usually last for a week and I was thinking I cannot afford not to go to work that long :(, so I saw from the web (not this yet) that ACV can cure, but I was so hesitant because I cannot imagine putting vinegar to your eyes! But I don't think that it will be much painful compared to having shampoo in your eyes... so I took the plunge and did it.. and the next day, all the symptoms went away!! I was wow! Holy ****! The people around me was like! What did you do?? how is that possible! OMG.. ACV totally Rocks!!
REPLY   25      

User123 (Nottingham, England) on 10/18/2016:
2 out of 5 stars

Having read through these pages a week ago and then again today I will offer a different opinion to what a lot of other people have said here. In particular I am wary of claims here that conjunctivits had been cured in "hours or days" due to the use of ACV.

I am on day 14 of acute keratoconjunctivitis (this is the viral version). It is now (very) slowly improving and the symptoms are starting to go away including the red eyes. I was told by the ophthalmologist that it will take a number of weeks for me to fully recover and as it is a virus like the common cold there is no cure for it, is is just a case of waiting for it to run it's course whilst trying to maintain comfort as much as possible.

Anyway, one week ago ago when my conjunctivitis was in full swing and I was more naive about such matters... I found this site and the claims that ACV with the mother was having positive effects on dealing with conjunctivitis. With an open mind I obtained a bottle and used it diluted but still with a bit of a sting, on my eyes, 3 - 4 times a day. I repeated this for about 5 - 6 days with the aim of the reduction of the red eye symptons and of some pain in my eyes. After a number of days it became obvious the ACV was not doing anything positive and so having seen no effect whatsoever I stopped use.

Thinking about it now I am not sure from a biological / medicine point of view what specifically in ACV is supposed to do to be effective against conjunctivitis. I am assuming its antibacterial proerties are considered to have a role in this... but would something with antibacterial properties help kill a virus?? I am aware of the very real health benefits of plants and so called alternative medicines and I will use them 100% every time in favour of modern medicine IF they provide me with benefits. However of all these people claiming ACV works, they can't all be wrong ... so I guess what works for one particular set of symptoms will not work for another similar but different set of symptons.

If you have conjunctivits I would suggest that you go and insist on seeing an OPHTHALMOLOGIST and insist on getting your eyes checked properly. In my case I first went to see a nurse at my local doctor surgery who was dismissive and not especially helpful. Then two days later when the symptons were significantly worse I went to see a doctor. The doctor was slightly more helpful but did not have the specialist tools or knowledge to make a particularly useful diagnosis other than a general comment about using eyedrops and it will go away after a few days.

It was only after I saw an ophthalmologist at the eye casualty and quite detailed study of my eyes that I was properly diagnosed with the problem that was one of the reasons I tried the ACV solution in the first place: I had as part of the conjunctivitis a "pseudomembrane" develop on all 4 of my inner lids and it was this that was causing excruciating pain when my eyes were closed for more than a few seconds. Anasthetic was dripped into my lids and each of these 4 pseudomembranes was surgically removed there and then. I was told to continue using liquid gel tablets as well as some anti viral eyedrops which I have already been using... I am told this will help with the keeping eyes closed and therefore sleeping, the other symptons of conjunctivitis will improve over time.

So.. that is my story. Feel free to try ACV anyway, it might work for you, it might not. Maybe you don't even have conjunctivitis after all, just a couple of the symptoms of it!

REPLY   4      

Maizy (Tulsa, Ok) on 09/12/2016:
1 out of 5 stars

Hi~

This is a warning for anyone with eye infections. Please Do Not use apple cider vinegar in or around your eyes. I had an eye infection, looked online and saw that claims were being made that it was okay to use this in your eyes (and that it cured infections). I made the mistake of doing so, it burned my eyes (not permanently) and I was so scared that I went to Urgent Care and then an Opthamologist. This is an acid and should never be put anywhere near the eyes. There are many posts saying that this is fine. It's not and could be very dangerous. Your eyes are precious - if you have a problem, go to an eye doctor.

REPLY   16      

E (Alabama ) on 09/08/2016:
5 out of 5 stars

Thank you for sharing this recipe! After getting pink eye for the 3rd time in 3 weeks, I was desperate for something to work and this did!!! The first and second round of pink eye I treated with vigamox, with no success, and now dealing with a lasting side effect chronic dry eyes. This treatment above worked within 3 days, although it was painful I couldn't take the pink eye any longer Thank you again!

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REPLY   9      



Sandrab (Round Lake, Il.) on 06/07/2016:
5 out of 5 stars

I was really amazed at the results using apple cider vinegar, filtered water, Himalayan salt, and black tea. I used 1 1/2 tbsp water, 1/4 tsp ACV and Himalayan salt, 1/2 tsp of black tea. First warm water and add salt. Stir to dissolve salt. Add ACV and tea. Stir. I used small 1inch square pieces of paper towel soaked in solution to wipe eye from corner to outside in one stroke and discarding each piece of paper towel. In using same method, I gently wiped several times, allowing solution to enter into the eye. Make sure you use paper towel only once for each wipe as not to reinfect eye. It helps to have a tissue under eye to catch dripping solution. Wash hands in between, as not to infect other eye. I applied same technique on other eye to ensure both eyes were treated and not infected. I got immediate results. Solution does slightly burn on first few wipes only. You can dilute solution to your preference. I used this technique twice a day for 2 days. Both eyes stopped itching, redness and swelling disappeared, and eyes became clear on the first day. This solution is a miracle. Allergy Meds, and eye rinse did nothing to stop condition, but this worked.
REPLY   24      

3dayzgrace (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) on 04/18/2016:
5 out of 5 stars

Viral Conjunctivitis: I have been a believer in non toxic stuff for a few years now and I used to swear by how quickly honey was for my irritated eyes that I get every now and then and I must say After reading all the reviews I remembered that I had a full bottle of ACV with the "mother" in it and WOW is all I can say almost instant relief was little gritty at first but after a few eye washes and a little drop of it in my eyes I can tell it is working. Started just last night and My eye went from all red and irritated to just little red at bottom of eyelid. Fantastic and so glad I found this site. Thanks to all!!!! ..

One question I do have if you put mixture in a eye dropper with a cap is it still suggested to do fresh batch after 24 or 48 hrs?

REPLY   10      

Carla (California) on 01/12/2016:
5 out of 5 stars

WOW!

My eye has been bothering me all afternoon...itchy, goopy, etc. I came on this site and saw that ACV was the most popular cure and I tried it.

I used a half cup distilled water with a half teaspoon ACV and applied with a cotton ball. Like some of the other posters did, I first lightly rubbed it on my closed eyelid and then squeezed a bit out so it would run in my eye. And yes, it did burn a bit, but not long. But my, oh my! The relief was instant! The itching, blurring and running goop was gone. I have done it twice in an hours time, and will again before I go to bed.

I know it's not healed yet, but I bet it will be by the end of the day tomorrow (taking the mixture to work).

REPLY   10      

Ms. M (Pensacola, Fl) on 01/10/2016:
5 out of 5 stars

I had watery eyes all throughout the day and into the night. I woke up in the middle of the night with a pressure sensation and inability to keep eyes open without discomfort. Looked in the mirror to find one eye extremely red; the other only mildly red. I knew immediately that this was viral conjunctivitis, as my mom had been suffering from it for about 5 days. We had done everything to prevent transmission, but it still happened and I was panicking, as I needed to go to work in the morning.

So I desperately began searching for a home remedy, and found the apple cider vinegar remedy on this site. It appeared to be the most popular one, so I gave it a try.

I warmed 1/2 cup spring water, added 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (MUST be raw, "with the mother"), and stirred for a few seconds. I dipped a cotton ball (one for each eye) in the solution, and with eyes closed, dabbed the solution at the inside and outside corners of each eye. I also squeezed the cotton ball a little, to allow some of the solution to flow over my eyelashes. It didn't burn until I opened my eyes. The burn was significant, but not very long-lasting.

I laid down on the couch with my eyes closed until 5am, at which point I got up to start the process of calling in sick. Before making any calls, I checked my eyes in the mirror....... to my EXTREME SURPRISE, the redness was COMPLETELY GONE. I was in disbelief. I went to work, and then repeated the apple cider vinegar treatment again before going to bed that evening. I did it again the next morning, just to be safe, and my husband did it as a precautionary measure as well. It worked. Our daughter didn't get it, either. My mom had tried colloidal silver and raw honey; none of which worked for her.

I highly recommend apple cider vinegar at first sign!!!!

REPLY   20      

Dan (London) on 11/24/2015:
0 out of 5 stars

Hi, I saw your comment regarding blurred vision after Apple cider vinegar eye wash. I have blurred vision now and am wondering if you had the same problem and how long till vision came back? Thanks a lot!!

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REPLY   1      



Hannah (Centennial, Colorado) on 06/13/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

Yesterday morning I woke up with a bad case of pink eye. I get pink eye a few times a year so by now, I know when I have it. Neither of my parents were in town so I couldn't go get medicine And I had a rather large event happening that night, thankfully I found earth clinic. I tried the ACV treatment and although it burned like hell, it worked its magic and by that night you almost couldn't tell I had ever had pink eye. Before I put in the ACV I would rinse my eye out with black tea, and treated my eye about 3 times. Today I keep treating it just to make sure it's gone but I am extremely thankful I found this site, it saved me!
REPLY   5      

Shalita (Jackson) on 05/02/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

This is from the Bragg's apple cider vinegar book: 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 4oz of distilled water. page 71 "Apple Cider Vinegar." I boiled the distilled water, let it cool, add acv, then place in sterilized dropper or eye cup and submerge affected eye. Cleanse 2 to 3 times daily.
REPLY   10      

Mlafay (Portland, Or) on 03/29/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

I've had viral conjunctivitis for a couple month's now. My doc said there was nothing out there that would "cure" it and to just let it run it's course - up to 3 months!

I just did the 5:1 ratio with ACV and it burned like hell for about 30 seconds - and wa-la! My vision cleared up - been blurry ever since I contracted this. And my redness went down considerably. I am so thankful I found this remedy!!

REPLY   10      

Ava R (St. Petersburg, Fl) on 02/20/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

I had Pink eye and I had just changed Drs. So, my new Dr. would not prescribe me anything. Well, I did the ACV and water four times a day. I also used the green tea bags twice a day to help with the soreness and I wash my hands a lot and I cleaned my glasses with the ACV, to make sure I would not get it again. It took a little over a week, but I think it took that long because I look at a computer working, at least 7 hours a day. I LOVE this website.
REPLY   6      

Sunny (Ca) on 07/30/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

Yes! it works!

My lil bro had an eye infection, I don't know what kind, maybe pink eye? It was really swollen. So I got the ACV the top part, ( not shucked, stable, so that I do not get the mother, and a mixed in a bit of drinking clean water in a mug, then maybe 40 acv, 60 water. Try your own, the more ACV the more the burn, but the more the potency.

We put it in an clean drop dropper, and I applied to his eye. Yes it stung, muaaahahah. But he took it like a man. I told him to apply twice + a day. It took off in like 4 days.

He did not have to spend money on going to the Dr. :) , and I got to experiment with his eye :). It was a win win lol. I have to say I was a bit unsure about it. Because well, its the eye.... But not anymore, if I ever have an eye infection, I will not hesitate to put it on my eye. :)

If your are scared, you can apply to out lid, I guess.

ACV rocks! I love you Earth Clinic <3

Reply to this if it works for you

Namaste,

Sunny

REPLY   7      



Loretta (New Jersey, US) on 04/26/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

I had gotten some water splashed in my eyes while teaching a student how to wash their face... anyway.... my eye started itching the next day. Then two days later both eyes were goopy, swollen and itchy.... I have followed the instructions on this post and have been using the Apple Cider Vinegar for two days now. My eyes are still a little itchy day two however when I woke up this morning they weren't as goopy, swollen or itchy as the days prior. I see a big improvement. Also the eye that originally got splashed with water is no longer pink. I will continue to do this the rest of today and tomorrow so it will be a full 3 days like several people posted. I am so happy to not have had to go to the eye doctor and spend money I don't have and get antibiotics! Thanks!
REPLY   2      

Mrsg (Fl , Usa ) on 11/22/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I woke up one morning with pink eye. In a glass of water in put enough ACV to tint the water and placed drops of it into my eye. It was cleared up completely within two days.
REPLY   3      

Kingq (Chonburi, Thailand) on 10/14/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Yea for Apple Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt as remedies for Pink Eye. Did 1.5 days using the ACV method and then 1.5 days doing the sea salt treatment as it stung less than the ACV. Completely cleared up the pink eye.
REPLY   2      

Melba Toast (Alfred Station, Ny) on 10/12/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I contracted bacterial conjunctivitis Wednesday of this past week. It was probably caused by wearing my contacts longer than recommended and using an old mascara - both very stupid in hindsight. By Thursday morning, my eye was flame red - the conjunctiva and my entire eye. I couldn't even open my eye in the morning without prying it open - it was glued shut with gunk and dried goop. I was hideous. I was about to bite the bullet and spend the $20 copay to have my FNP tell me the obvious when I thought about apple cider vinegar with the mother that has saved me in the past for common ailments (UTI, yeast infection, etc. ) I wondered, "Are there claims that ACV cures pink eye?" Yes, several people had vouched for it. I mixed 5 parts water to 2 parts ACV and administered two drops in the afflicted eye four times within 2 days. Today is Saturday and my eye is clear and pain-free! ACV wins again!
REPLY   11      

Kathy (La) on 08/06/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Just last night I started getting pink eye and put 1Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (with the mother) in a half cup of water and poured the concoction on two cotton balls and let it drip into each eye. It stung briefly but then felt better. As of tonight you wouldn't even know I had pink eye! It was amazing! I did this about three times today.
REPLY   3      



Nathalie (West Orange, NJ, Usa) on 04/30/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Thank you so much earth clinic for the Apple Cider Vinegar remedy for pink eye. I've suffered for months with it and it wasn't until I was "treated" by an opthamalogist with a steroid which initaally did work but it came back with a vengence. Then the doctor gave a eye drops for allergies which didn't work at all. Finally when I went on the internet and researched my sypmptoms and came across your website and read all the posts about how ACV worked for the different people who had pink eye I felt hopeful. So I tried the ACV remedy and it didn't work but when I went back to this website I realized I wasn't using the ACV with the "mother". So then I got the ACV with "the mother: and I started to see positive changes. Because of this experienced I'm a believer in natural remedies. I used the 2 teaspoon to 1 cup spring water and within a week the infection was gone. Just to make sure it didn't come back I continued using it just twice a day once in moring then once at night for 1 extra week. After having pink eye for months and months it took a week for ME to get rid of my pink eye with no MD degree!!!!!
REPLY   7      

Doddie (Lawrenceville, Georgia, Usa) on 04/24/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Pink Eye bought on by intermittent sore throat-I used 1 teaspoon of ACV to 3 tablespoons of distilled water. I used one drop every 30 minutes to an hour or whenever I thought about it. When I woke up my eyes was glued shut from the infection. I stated using 3-4 drops every 30 minutes to 2 hours which worked better. It burned. My red eye cleared in 3-4 days. I treated the other eye and a little yellow mucus was present but my eye did not get red. I cleaned kept my glasses cleaned with alcohol. I used an eye dropper to pour the mixture in (inside of another small bowl in case some spilled) and what spilled in the bowl I used a cotton disk dampened in this to wipe my eyes throughout the day. I changed disk for each eye. It has left and has not returned.
REPLY   2      

Scott (Lockport, Ny Usa) on 04/15/2013:
1 out of 5 stars

Please help. I have had viral conjuntivitis for over 4 months. I tried a prescription from an optomitrist and no help. I have now been using 1/4 tsp. Apple cider vinegar to 1/2 cup water mixture for over a week and while it seems to help the itchiness, my eye does not appear to be healing. There is a thick red line through my eye to the left and right of the color circle. It seems to be spreading to the other eye. Has any one ever heard of pink eye like this? I have no insurance but started to call opthamologists about appointments anyway. I am concerned I might be damaging the eye. Yeah, I'm scared. Any words of advice? Thanks
REPLY   4      

Lora (Bristol, Ct, USA) on 01/18/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Yes, ACV is very good for eye infection also. Use it as an eye drops.

5 part of water
2 part Manuka Honey
1 part of ACV

Also improves your vision!

REPLY   3      

Brainbuster (Bloomington, Illinois) on 01/15/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Some of the other reviewers here have said that their pink eye was unresponsive to the antibiotic eye drops the doc gave them.

I've gotten pink eye several times (maybe because I have 2 cats... I dunno), and all the times I used the antibiotic drops, they worked.

The reason I'm here is simply because I can't afford to pay a doctor to tell me that I have pink eye (which is obvious). I guess I should've been a doctor, because whenever my eye gets pink, I correctly diagnose that I have pink eye. Reminds me of a car mechanic, but I'll spare you that story. Anyway, ACV works. It also stings. But it works.

I put enough ACV (with mother... Not sure what that is, but I got it because ppl on here said it's important) into a bowl of water to make it look muddy. I then took a Rohto eye drop dropper that I was almost finished with (leaving some of the Rohto liquid in it... Which btw is ten times better than Clear Eyes eye drops for making your eyes bright and white), then, from the bowl of diluted ACV, I sucked up the solution into the Rohto vial (used pliars actually... I'm strong enough to squeeze the eye dropper but the pliars do a better job here).

Every half hour (I set my alarm), I put in the drops, which STUNG. But I did it anyway, even though my eyes are worth thousands of dollars. It's now about 24 hours later, and I almost look like Brad Pitt again.

Thanks, Earthclinic!

REPLY   9      



Shannon (Tucson, Arizona) on 10/09/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

Months ago, after a week of pink eye and after receiving two different prescription eye drops from two different doctors, I saw an eye specialist who informed me that I would have to wait out my pink eye because it was a viral infection. Desperate for relief, I came across the ACV cure. I mixed 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 teaspoon of [organic] Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother (raw). Then I dipped a cotton ball into the solution and dripped it into each eye every few hours. The eye specialist told me I should expect the pink eye to last up to 2 weeks, but using the ACV treatment it was gone in less than 6 hours! It was fairly painful because I used quite a bit of ACV, but it was so effective!! Also, moisturizing eye drops are really handy if the ACV makes your eyes overly sensitive- just make sure you wait until the ACV has done its job before you use them! Additionally, remember to wash your hands often, throw out any eye makeup you used before the infection, avoid touching your eyes or face, and use a clean pillowcase each night your eyes are infected.

Two days ago I woke up with pink eye again (associated with a sinus infection I'm assuming) and I got rid of it in one day! What a miracle!

REPLY   6      

Anna (St. Petersburg, Florida) on 08/19/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

I used to get pink eye OFTEN as an acute allergic reation to my boyfriends cat. Because the conjunctivitis was neither viral nor bacterial, antibiotic eye drops and other medical remedies didn't help. After getting pink eye for what I swear was the 17th time, I looked for alternative cures and found Earth Clinic. Anyway, I administered the diluted ACV (____) to both eyes every 30 minutes for a day. Immediately the itchiness and discomfort was gone, although my eyes were still red. The following day, both eyes were almost back to normal and felt completely better. Another day after that and they were healthy again. Thanks, Earth Clinic!
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