Top Natural Remedies for Dry Eyes - Internal and External Applications

Castor Oil

Posted by Elise (Perth, Wa Australia) on 07/29/2010
★★★★★

I have been struggling with dry eyes all my life. I have always found that if the air is a little too cold or windy, my eyes immediately begin to water uncontrollably. I tend to wear mascara and eyeliner etc, so I would always have black under my eyes which was also rather embarrassing. I would also find my eyes would get red and start stinging in these situations. I heard about people putting a couple of drops of castor oil into each eye before going to bed. I tried this myself. The first couple of nights it can sting a little, but disappears when your eyes are closed. After about a week, my problem disappeared. It also made THE WHITES OF MY EYES WHITER, AND THE BLUE MUCH BRIGHTER! ! ! My eyes now look like my 1 year olds pure, sparkling eyes! Fabulous! My EYELASHES ALSO GREW THICKER AND LONGER within that week. Your eyes naturally have an oil layer. This helps nourish that layer of the eye. You can buy eye drops that are very costly, but the main ingredient in them is castor oil anyway. Save yourself some money and buy castor oil!

L-Carnosine

Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 11/04/2022

Dear HisJewel,

Great sleuthing!

You could try some nettle for your postnasal drip/sinus problem. If it is caused by an allergy, it may help a lot.

Or, if you have an infection, extra virgin coconut oil. That is our go-to for sinus infections.

~Mama to Many~

Castor Oil

Posted by Juanita Y. (Pa) on 03/07/2018
★★★★★

Organic Castor Oil: I use a drop of this castor oil each night in both eyes at bedtime...just started this week, but I can feel a difference already, and it does not burn. My Dr has prescribed Restasis and refresh which costs a fortune to buy each month. Going to continue using the castor oil and hopefully will not have to buy the Dr prescribed meds again!

Black Currant Seed Oil

Posted by Art (California ) on 05/24/2017 2325 posts

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

Carrots

Posted by Ben (London, Uk) on 07/09/2014
★★★★★

I look at a computer screen for approx 10-12 hrs a day and I get very dry eyes. The best natural remedy I find is to eat 1x raw carrot per day. This is the best natural remedy I have used.

Cheers, Ben

Mouth Guard

Posted by Robin S. (Cairns, Australia ) on 07/18/2016
★★★★★

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.

Castor Oil

Posted by Shruti (Virgina, USA) on 05/28/2013
★★★★★

I started having dry eyes suddenly since 2 months no diagnosis yet. I have tried everything from drops to warm compressions.. Started using castor oil 1 drop in each eye at bed time and WOW haven't had dry eyes since even if I skip a day I don't feel dry and don't need any drops either in the day time and my eyes are white white white. I saw this remedy online by some lady from Florida and I really want to thank her.

Castor Oil

Posted by Meowy (Sd, Ca) on 09/04/2012
★★★★★

I bought castor oil and it did not work it made my eyes, red irritated sensitive, the oil itself felt slightly gritty to me. Few month later my ND suggested I buy a bottle of castor oil for massage on my abdomen. I bought a large bottle and this particular castor oil seemed smooth, thick and not gritty (Homehealth) I decided to try a drop in my eyes and it worked without any side effects! Please note all Organic Cold Pressed Castor Oils are not the same.

Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee

Posted by Schwabbie (Fontana, Ca) on 02/24/2014
★★★★★

I also notice that I can count on a dry eye episode if I drink coffee, caffeinated or not.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Cat (Lax, Ca) on 11/13/2010
★★★★★

Another cure for dry eyes. I was telling someone recently about how many supplements I take for dry eyes, they felt like that was way too many supplements. Well it was suggested that I stop all of it and just try taking 5- 8 teaspoons of Organic virgin Coconut Oil throughout the day. Well I decided I would try it because I really do not want to take so many supplements. I cannot believe it but it really works! Plus it made whites of eyes super white and my skin feels super soft too I also decreased my caloric intake to make sure I did not gain weight, but I think Organic Virgin Coconut oil kills your appetite because I've lost a couple pounds.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cat (Lax, Ca) on 10/10/2010

This is just a word of caution I would like to add here just in case you encounter this problem I went to my ophthalmologist. I had an on-going dry eye problem last week and I went to the doctor and they wanted to plug the other two tear ducts plus another round of medication. I declined. Anyhow I told the doctor that I was putting sterilized distilled water in my eyes at night since I'm allergic to practically every eye drop. Anyhow, she warned me to STOP IT right away even though the water is sterilized she said the water could be carrying Acanthoamoeba and she checked my eyes to see I had it and I did not! Apparently "there is a water and soil-born parasite Acanthamoeba is more prevalent than most ophthalmologists think. "Amoeba are very common organisms, they are all over the globe, in fact they're one of the original life forms" drug don't work against the parasite so the problem persists and if it goes untreated, patients can lose their eyesight. "This is a kind of amoeba that has the characteristic of forming a cyst or shell around it so it can hide from predators or destruction, and can be very difficult to kill. "

The amoeba is extremely difficult to identify, but according to researchers doctors have the best chance at diagnosing the amoeba as the source of an eye infection " Anyhow I wanted to post this just in case.

Castor Oil

Posted by Ronald (Ca) on 07/07/2015
★★★★★

I tried various suggested cures for dry eyes, but they didn't totally work. Here is what I found that works for me.

I take a night guard (light blocker over the eyes), fold a paper towel in thirds, tear in half which now fits inside the blocker, lightly coat it with castor oil, saturate with water and put paper towel inside of blocker and over the eyes.

I also use lubricant eye drops in the eyes and that concoction lasts all night. In the AM I don't have dry eyes when I wake up.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Rhonda (Lakewood, Ca) on 06/13/2015
★★★★★

After trying the cures suggested on EC, I had to take the time to report how well they worked. My eyes first started tearing so much, it looked and felt like I was crying. My vision was blurry and the skin around was irritated. Then they started to feel like I had something in them so I went to the eye doctor thinking I had pink eye but the doctor said no and gave me some antibiotic drops since I insisted. They continued to get progressively worse. I started feeling pressure behind my eyes and they became sensitive to light and weren't focusing properly. I went to a different eye doctor who ruled out glaucoma and gave me more eye drops and a diagnosis of dry eyes. He said it was due to age and that I would have this condition from now on. The drops barely gave me any relief. I was very concerned about the future of my eyes.

Fortunately, I knew about EC and decided to give it a try. I used the remedies that were most accessible before going to bed: aloe vera and castor oil on eyelids, oil pulling, and honey inside bottom lid plus I drank a little apple cider vinegar.

The next morning, improvements were noticeable! Each day they continue to improve. The sun doesn't bother me. Computer and cell phone glare doesn't bother me. They get a little moist at times but no more tears or conjunctivitis symptoms and the pressure behind my eyes is gone. They occasionally do get a little dry and that seems to make them blurry when I'm reading and I wake up with one dry eye but that one was worse off to begin with.

I will try some of the other remedies if it continues. I didn't expect the remedies to work but desperate enough to try and I am glad that I did. Thank you posters and bless you for helping others like me.

Castor Oil

Posted by AngeleAlAahna (Florida) on 07/27/2021
★★★★★

I felt instant relief, back to normal. I feel I don't even have eyeballs.

Castor Oil

Posted by Mary (Richmond, Va) on 02/13/2012
★★★★★

I was on a web site and some folks were talking about castor oil for the eye. I went to youtube and saw the woman describing how you do it. So, I decided to get me some castor oil and try it. Now, just to preface, I am 57 and have been have some kind of eye problem (dry, twitch, pressure, etc. For over 30 years. In one night, my eyes feel better than they have in years. For one, they are not rolling around in pain anymore. I usually am twisting them all day. As a teacher, this makes it really difficult to focus on reading out loud, etc. Now, I am mad. Mad at all the doctors who could never suggest something so simple. I am my best physician.

Castor Oil rocks!
Mary

Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 02/24/2014

To Schwabbie;

And not only coffee but acidic foods of any kind. I've noticed that if I eat the fruit papaya that the burning/dry eye is not so severe.

Papaya is just miracle stuff.

Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee

Posted by Enzo (Miami Beach ) on 07/05/2020 4 posts

I had Lasik and I ended up with dry eyes that made my vision blurry. I kept telling Lasik this and for 3 years they kept brushing it under the carpet and not listening to me. In the end I reported them to Better Business Bureau and they got me a refund on the Lasik procedure. I started a prescription eye drop called MAXITROL which seems to be slowly working but you can only use it for 7 days. I will however start using organic cold pressed castor oil eye drops as I've read so many testimonials at how amazing it is for chronic dry eyes. For those of you who have had Lasik and have been left with chronic dry eyes, report them to Better Business Bureau and request a refund. They will get it for you.

Acupuncture

Posted by Almost Cured (Washington, Dc, Usa) on 12/31/2010
★★★★★

Hi - I had gradually worsening dry eyes due to lots of computer time and, I realize, worsening circulation despite exercising vigorously on a daily basis. I did oil pulling in the summer and it helped some, but then tried acupunture this fall for general wellness (after a marathon) and alas! Dry eyes became significantly better, along with circulation in extremities. I cannot speak more highly to the benefits of acupunture. Do yourself a favor and try it out in 2011!

Oil Pulling

Posted by Maryann (Springfield, Ma) on 03/19/2010
★★★★★

Hurray for this website!!! I have been bothered by "Dry Eyes" for YEARS! Yesterday I happened upon your oil pulling remedy and figured "oh, well, it can't hurt to try". I used the only oil I had on had which was a homemade blend I make for my skin of sweet almond and grapeseed. Within 20 minutes of using the treatment you suggested I was SHOCKED to feel relief from it. I have been using over the counter eye drops all day long everyday for years. Yesterday after your remedy I didn't use any and I still haven't used any in over 24 hours!!! Thank you!!! Talk about FAST RELIEF!! I am thrilled!

Oil Pulling

Posted by Charlotte (Marietta, GA) on 03/29/2008
★★★★★

Oil pulling helped my dry eyes and stopped up nose. I have been doing oil pulling for 6 months now.I usually have a glass of lemon water but no food first thing in the morning. Then I use about a tsp of organic sunflower oil and "pull" for about 15-20 min. Then I brush my teeth and start my day.I used to have very dry eyes especially when wearing my contacts and my nose got stopped up easily depending on what I was eating. Now I don't have trouble with either one of those things. However when I stopped pulling the symptoms reappeared, so I am back to pulling every morning and just know it is a part of my routine. While pulling, I read my email, feed my pets, fix my tea and I'm done. The benefits are great and it becomes a habit when you fit it into your routine. This web site is so great!! Thanks!

Nettles

Posted by Kerri (Fl) on 02/14/2024
★★★★★

Ever since covid, I have had regular issues with my eyes being red and dry and burning. Several visits to the eye Dr were not much help. All they say is looks like maybe an allergic reaction. I've never had allergies before and it's interesting that the first time this issue started, I ended up with covid two days later. But NETTLES have come to the rescue. I take 2 capsules as soon as I notice symptoms and my eyes are relieved very quickly. So far I haven't taken them more than once per day, but I may do that soon. Anyone else out there with lots of eye problems that started during the "covid" years?

TMG, Vitamin A +

Posted by mastershay (Albuquerque, NM) on 03/29/2022
★★★★★

The following keeps my eyes feeling good after having been dry for 10+ years:

TMG (Trimethyl glycine)
Sinus rinse with three drops of emulsified vitamin A (along with the salt and baking soda)
Dextrose (no other form of sugar)
Castile soap, fragrance-free for shampoo and everything (regular soaps irritate my eyes)

The following make my eyes feel worse:

Straight Sugar and foods with it (all other forms other than dextrose... however, a certain clear soda would temporarily make my eyes better)
Diets too low in starchy foods, such as G.A.P.S. (starches are needed to convert to glucose)

Castor Oil

Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 12/29/2020

The stress hormone cortisol drains the body and body stops bile production under stress. See:

Causes of Dry Eyes Explained by Dr. Berg - YouTube

He says there's no bile to absorb vitamin A for eye health. I take ox bile most days.

Castor oil is amazing and I use it myself in most crisis situations I encounter....

Cyclosporine

Posted by Enzo (Fl) on 10/06/2020 4 posts
★★★★★

I suffer with chronic dry eye syndrome and was told I had to use restasis. Unfortunately I couldn't afford the price tag of nearly $600 per 3ml bottle. I found the generic form in India called cyclosporine (same ingredients as Restasis) for $10. It's sold on reliableRX