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.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Marilyn K. (Ohio) on 08/26/2017
★☆☆☆☆
I tried virgin coconut oil and my cholesterol shot way up. Bad idea, and it didn't help my dry eyes. :(
Manuka Honey
Posted by Titanium (Perth, Australia) on 07/14/2016 1 posts
★★★★★
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.
Castor Oil
Posted by Melanie (Unicoi, Tennessee) on 01/23/2016
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.
Hydrosol Silver
Posted by Mindy (Denver, Co) on 01/31/2016
★★★★★
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.
Castor Oil
Posted by Lina (Michigan) on 05/24/2017
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
Alkaline Water Eye Drops
Posted by Rsw (Ohio) on 09/01/2015
Hi Rhonda,
Do you make your own alkaline water or is it something you buy? I have tried Dave's baking soda and water on the eyelids, which is helpful, but are you saying you put it into your eyes? Thank you for recipe or brand name. I have Sjogren's and would appreciate some relief.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Prioris (Fl, US) on 10/06/2014
We need to specify which component on vitamin C addresses a specific health condition since there are many vitamin C supplements that are very narrow in their active forms.
Someone will say that vitamin C works for this or that condition. Another person may try vitamin C and it doesn't work. But we wouldn't be able to know if the vitamin C was the same complex.
Or maybe we need to start saying "Vitamin C Complex" instead of just "vitamin C".
As Bill pointed out - Vitamin C is not ascorbic Acid.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Earthling (Usa) on 10/06/2014
Priorus,
The Vitamin C I take is a complex, but it says that the C portion is ascorbic acid. It also has Rutin and lemon bioflavanoid complex. Is this C complex worth taking, or would I be better off with something else? Thanks!
P.S. I'm taking it hoping for some joint pain relief. My immune system is pretty strong; I go years without a cold, so unlike many people, I'm not taking it for immune support.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Ana (New York) on 05/21/2017 15 posts
Thanks for posting all that.
Palmitoeic Acid
Posted by Prioris (Fl, Usa) on 09/19/2014
The active ingredient in Sea Buckthorne oil is Palmitoleic Acid(PA) or Omega 7. Primeval seems to be one of the few brands with at least 50% or more of PA in each capsule. Other brands contain just 33% to 35%.
Since taking this brand, my chronic dry eyes are no more. It can work pretty quick also. My eyes seem more comfortable.
I have also seen a few positive reports on blepharitis also.
Palmitoleic Acid (Omega 7) seems to address a broad range of problems. They have a medical test that measures inflammation in body called CRP. In studies, it cut the value of CRP in half. Anecdotal reports suggest it has broad ranging effect on body.
It should be experimented on any problem which involves dryness.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 08/19/2014
Elodie, read up on Castor Oil.
Fish Oil
Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 08/14/2014
..and fish products are not radio active??
Namaste, Om
Fish Oil
Posted by Timh (KY, US) on 08/15/2014 2048 posts
@Wayne: Good to hear of your success.
If I might add, the dosage of omega 3 EFA you are taking seems very high which would indicate something more needs addressing like inflammation and immunity. Some general detoxes & cleanses would help.
For the moment, to protect & enhance the precious Fish Oils add Selenium and Mixed Tocopherols Vit-E. Also, in cases of severe inflammation when EPA's are insufficient, add the much more powerful esterified EPA Celedrin. Adding these nutrients should reduce the fish oil dosage.
Lactoferrin
Posted by Ana (New York) on 05/21/2017 15 posts
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.
Castor Oil
Posted by Jill (Chicago) on 07/24/2015
★☆☆☆☆
Castor oil has never worked for me. I've been taking fish oil for about three months but it hasn't seemed to have helped much.
Mouth Guard
Posted by Chad (Lincoln/me) on 05/07/2014
I was wondering if you could post more info on how to talk to my dentist about the mouth guard info.
Castor Oil
Posted by Mahniah (Connecticut) on 02/14/2016
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.
Castor Oil
Posted by Anonymus (Ohio) on 10/10/2016
Have your hormones checked? Progesterone and estrogen.
You can suffer from dry skin, eyes, etc.
Castor Oil
Posted by Rebecca (Redmond, Wa) on 10/07/2014
I just bought cold pressed castor oil. Nervous about how thick it is and putting it in my eyes. Do you know if this is safe ? How are your eyes now ?
Castor Oil
Posted by Rita (Hawaii) on 05/17/2016
What is VCO?
EC: VCO = Virgin Coconut Oil
Sauerkraut
Posted by Brandon (Chicago, Illinois) on 03/21/2013
I forgot to add that I eat about 4-6 heaping tablespoons of sauerkraut a day. (about 2 tablespoons with meals. I startout out eating about a teaspon - tablespoon and worked my way up. Sauerkraut is a raw food that we're not used to getting in our died, so you've got to slowly introduce it.
Castor Oil
Posted by Kris (Maine) on 08/09/2013
Two drops castor oil in 8 oz of water and then drink it or do I put the drops in the eyes? Thanks.
Castor Oil
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 05/14/2014
Hi Joan,
Do you put rose water in your eye or on your eye lid, or do you drink it? Is it the kind you buy in any store? Thanks.
Castor Oil
Posted by Morgan (South Africa ) on 10/11/2015
Hi there, I would love to hear your progress with the castor oil. I had eye laser surgery 1 year ago and have been suffering with severe dry eyes since then. My symptoms are EXACTLY the same as yours: 1) no dry eyes during the day 2) eye lids glued shut in morning 3) if I move my eye ball before injecting. Eye drops into the corner of my eye, then cornea tears/rips I have tried all eye drops and nothing seems to work. I am DESPERATE!
Castor Oil
Posted by Dookieisking (Nevada) on 10/11/2015
Try sea buckthorn seed oil blend. This will help moisten your entire body. I have blepharitis and styes very bad. They've given me every ridiculous drop and antibiotic imaginable. Nothing has worked as well for me as sea buckthorn seed oil in a pill form. This is an old Indian Areyvedic treatment from what I understand.
Fenugreek
Posted by Ken (Santa Barbara, California) on 06/04/2012
★★★★★
Dry Eyes: An infusion of 1/2 teaspoon of fenugreek seed soaked in half a cup of boiled water till the water is tepid and then two or three drops every four hours or so remedied the problem. Make a new batch each day and don't use the drops within an hour of going to sleep.
Castor Oil
Posted by Lisa (Las Vegas, Nv) on 03/03/2013
The oils you are using are not "sterile" which means that they are not pure enought to be intended for use in the eye BECAUSE the oils may be contaminated and that puts you at risk of infection which can lead to visual impairments, even blindness. May I suggest you investigate IPL, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, to unclog the pores that secrete lubricants. IPL is not covered by insurance, and may cost about $350 per session.
Castor Oil
Posted by Kelly (Oregon, Usa) on 06/04/2014
Castor oil does NOT contain "ricin".
The castor seed contains ricin, a toxic protein. Heating during the oil extraction process denatures and inactivates the protein.
Castor Oil
Posted by Rebeccah (Ca) on 11/04/2016
Cold pressed oils are by definition not heated during extraction...
Olive Oil
Posted by Jennywren (Perth, Western Australia, Australia) on 02/20/2012
Thanks for that Southerbelle. I've just started using cold-pressed castor oil for eyedrops and haven't found it has made too much of a difference (other than greasy eyes! ). Will give my EVOO in the cupboard a go instead!
Olive Oil
Posted by Francisca (Zug, Switzerland) on 02/21/2012
Hi Jenny, do you put a drop of EVCO in your eyes? Do you know something that hasn't helped me? Maybe first flaxseed oil (although the contact lenses specialist said I should take only one capsule I took two because one didn't seem to make a difference and anyway on the bottle I think that they said you could take till four! ). Maybe also the Vit. D3 I took at the time because now, a few months later my eyes were getting dry again especially during the night. And something else that helps me is a eyewash with either cold mineral water out of the fridge or with very weak herbal tea like elder or chamomile, also very cold. My eyes are now quite normal after having been terribly dry especially during the night. I took 100. 000 IU of vitamin D3 in one go which they advise for 3 months. We are leaving for France on Thursday and I am going to try to buy it again, providing I find a pharmacy that sells it without prescription! I also think that the Vit. D makes a big difference in my backpain!
Olive Oil
Posted by Francisca (Zug, Switzerland) on 02/21/2012
Wow, do you really use Olive Oil in the eyes? Do you mean the Extra Virgin type? I would be afraid to put it in my eyes because if you try a little spoon full the taste is quite acid. Do you mean the very green one (Extra Virgin) or the lighter kind? If I ever try maybe I first rub it on one eye to see how it goes, not directly in both in case something goes badly wrong!
As far as Castor Oil goes from what I have heard a lot of lubricants for dry eyes contain Castor Oil, so I don't know! My eyes got swollen every time I rubbed them with Castor Oil and let a bit go inside. They felt moist but the next day they were very swollen so that can't be a good thing! I tried two different brands of cold pressed from the health food store, not just any Castor oil but my husband says that in Britain there is pharmacy quality Castor Oil which might be better than the cosmetic one!
Olive Oil
Posted by Naraya (Uk Essex ) on 07/07/2021
Yes, I found that using castor oil in the eyes made mine swell too,so I have stopped it. I haven't tried the olive oil (I do use it for any problems with ears) but having problems with my eyes right now so will give it a go - thanks👍
Castor Oil
Posted by Francisca (Zug, Switzerland) on 02/14/2012
Mary, basically the young lady says one should put two drops of castor oil in each eye. I don't have a dropper but I tried a few times to put some castor oil on my eye lid and let it go inside as well but each time I woke up with swollen eyes. Didn't this happen to you? I tried two different brands of Castor oil from the health food shop. When I use the vitamin A cream the doctor prescribed or Bepanthene for the eyes this doesn't happen. Actually my eyes were a lot better but now they are a bit dry again, maybe because I stopped taking the lin seed oil capsules. I am now trying the Krill oil advised here but so far no luck! Maybe I go back to the lin seed oil which was advised to me by a contact lense specialist in an Eye Hospital. After a little while I had no more problems with my contact lenses and needed no cream during the night at all! Even with a humidifier on a regular basis my eyes are now feeling dry again!
Castor Oil
Posted by Anonymous ( Portland , Oregon) on 07/25/2013
My MD has a naturopathic education. He gave me organic cold pressed castor oil in GLASS bottles not in plastic. Apparently castor oil in plastic is very toxic and leeches plastic into the castor oil! This explain why everytime I would use castor oil in plastic bottle my eyes would burn badly until I started using in the glass bottles He also gave me 100% unbleached organic wool to place over my eyes soaked in castor oil and hot water bottle placed over the wool. Make sure that the hot water bottle cap is secure and just be careful to not make too hot. It also suggested not use heating pad on the body because of EMF waves interfere with body energetic system.
Castor Oil
Posted by Amy (Pgh Pa) on 04/27/2017
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.
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Zug, Switzerland) on 01/11/2012
I too suffered from dry eyes for the first time in my life. It was awful as it prevented me from wearing my contact lenses too long and I hate glasses but foremost because my eyes became so dry during the night that they felt awful! In the meanwhile my mouth also started to feel very dry during the night. I really felt like my health was going down hill! Someone here suggested that I be tested for Sjogren's, which frightened me to death but luckily I didn't have it. Then I went to a specialized eye hospital and also an ophtalmologist. They gave me eye creams and that helped but I thought that I would have this problem for the rest of my life! A contact lense specialist advised and sold me two bottles of flaxseed oil. I also changed my contact lenses for the more expensive bi-monthly ones instead of the monthly ones. Little by little I got better but what did I discover now? I had also changed the liquid for my contact lenses and even if it didn't work right away noticeably with the time it did work.
Lately my eyes were a lot better, I don't need any cream during the night and I went back to wearing my lenses every day, even the old monthly ones without a problem but..... My new liquid finished and I went back to the last bottle of my old one (still within the date and hadn't been opened before). Surprise, surprise, right the first time my eyes burned a bit when I put the lenses in and my eyes started to get irritated again as soon as I took the lenses out, especially if I washed my face and rubbed my eyes while drying it. I bought the new liquid again and my eyes are well! Funny enough I had always used cheaper liquids which I always bought at the opticians so one expects the quality to be reasonable. Maybe I was just allergic to this brand.
Bottom line... Never buy several bottle of something you haven't tried! I used two of them, they caused my eyes a lot of problems and the last one I will just throw away! I am thrilled my eyes are normal again and so is my mouth, no more dryness during the night. No idea why it was affecting my mouth too but I could hardly sleep because I would wake up with a very dry mouth and throat. One thing that helped my mouth was to take a bit of Celtic salt instead of water! Weird but true! I also think that due to the problem in my eyes I started to drink more making me even more dehydrated so the more I drank the more problems I had!
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Zug, Zug, Switzerland) on 12/03/2011
Thanks Liz, great advice! My eyes are a lot better, so is the dryness in my throat at night! I have never had an eye operation but all of a sudden my eyes got very dry, especially during the night, so did my mouth and throat. The contact lenses specially prescribed flaxseed oil 3000mg and right now I am also taking EPO and vitamin E. I can stand my contact lenses a lot better again and when I take them off my eyes don't feel so irritated anymore. Maybe next I try the flaxseed and cod liver oil.
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Janet (Indiana) on 07/27/2024
Hello Francisca! Can you please tell me what EPO is?
Thank you!
EC: EPO = Evening Primrose Oil
Vitamins A, E
Posted by Mihai (Ploiesti, Romania) on 03/03/2012
Quick question: did you continue to take the vitamins the next two days after that first night or did you stop?
Vitamins A, E
Posted by Kayla (La, Ca) on 12/12/2012
I noticed a dramatic change after three days, and then of course I cut down my dose of vitamin A & E to recommended dose after one week of a high dose. My doctor told me NOT to ever use vaseline petroleum jelly around my eyes becaue of the petroleum is not safe. So I mixed castor oil, coconut oil and aloe vera oil together and put that around my eyes. Aloe Vera oil is a wonderful and miraculous healing oil, try it out.
Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee
Posted by Diana (Dresden, Germany) on 08/19/2014
Hello, I suffer from severe Dry Eye Syndrome since one year. And by the time I started to feel the discomfort and annoy at my eyes I was on a strict (but very varied and healthy) diet due to GERD. Thus I was not allowed to eat any fruits or vegetables, not to mention coffee or spicy food. And I still started to feel the effects of Dry Eye Syndrome. What I want to point out is the fact, that the dry eye has nothing to do with the fact, that you eat some fruits or drink coffee once in a while. And one more thing: Omega3 pills have just Placebo effects. Try not to take them a whole month, and you?ll see that nothing has changed. You feel the same with or without them. Sad, but true. Keep trying other remedies, although I'm about to give it up.
Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee
Posted by Diana (Dresden) on 08/19/2014
Hello, I suffer from severe Dry Eye Syndrome since one year. And by the time I started to feel the discomfort and annoy at my eyes I was on a strict (but very varied and healthy) diet due to GERD. Thus I was not allowed to eat any fruits or vegetables, not to mention coffee or spicy food. And I still started to feel the effects of Dry Eye Syndrome. What I want to point out is the fact, that the dry eye has nothing to do with the fact, that you eat some fruits or drink coffee once in a while. And one more thing: Omega3 pills have just Placebo effects. Try not to take them a whole month, and you'll see that nothing has changed. You feel the same with or without them. Sad, but true. Keep trying other remedies, although I'm about to give it up.
Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee
Posted by C (Hamburg) on 08/14/2015
Hey,
I was wondering if you use Aloe Vera cream, drops or gel? Could you link the brand you use perhaps? Thank you...
Aloe Vera, Avoid Coffee
Posted by Nisa (Trinidad) on 03/14/2017
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.
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/27/2011
Hi David, I suppose that with Aloe liquid you mean the juice one drinks? I was thinking about buying it and I will try it soon. As far as the Castor Oil goes my eyes get quite swollen but as I said before I seem to be the only person here with that problem. Even if I use good Castor Oil or so I think! I went to see a contact lenses specialist today, quite informative, and he told me to take omega 3 so I got linseed oil from him right away. He said that Cod liver oil was ok as well. And I really have to clean the ducts every day applying warm tea bags or a cloth and then pressing the oil out of the rim with a q-tip. I have been trying coconut oil on the eye lids so that it goes in a bit at night and my eyes seem to be slightly less dry.
The Omega 3 seems to liquidify the stuff inside the rim of the eye which is not coming out. Anyway, although I am very myopic, which saddens me, he was amazed that he could correct my eyes to 140% (not that I am planning to do it.... ). The fact that he thought that my eyes are actually rather good cheered me up! I have had therapy with a guy specialized in sports eyesight but it never really worked. I guess that he is very technical and I am very hands on so this guy I saw today is now going to try to find me an address where I could go, have my problem properly tested and could get a program to follow at home. They don't do this kind of thing in the Eye Hospital... of course....
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/27/2011
By the way, I do eat a lot of tomatoes and try to incorporate quite a bit of cayenne pepper in my food. A while ago I also tried a suggestion given here to take 20 drops of tabasco in a glass of water for a week. My dry eyes and mouth have steadily been getting worse but I don't remember anymore if they could be related to the Tabasco protocol. I will cut out the pepper and the tomatoes! The thing is that I am already on a low carbs, low sugar diet so if I keep cutting out more stuff one day I won't eat anything. I have already lost quite a bit of weight and I am not at all a big woman!
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Eva (A'dam, Netherlands) on 09/28/2011
Francisca, I wonder if your problems are connected to menopause (dry eyes, dry skin, bladder problems)... Have you tried products that contain herbal estrogen?
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/29/2011
Hi Eva, I am 54 but when the doctor checked my hormones a while ago they were hight, so maybe I am just in the pre-menopause. No, I have never tried herbal estrogen, one hears so many bad things about hormones nowadays..... I was planning on reading a few books but I have no idea whether I will be any wiser!
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 10/01/2011
Francisca: I don't know about the extra or intracellular stuff. I lick the salt right BEFORE taking water. It does make a difference for me. Somehow, even if I drink lots of water but without the salt, I get the feeling that the water is not doing anything in me, but with the Gerande salt, it is making me feel as if I am absorbing the water in a better way.
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/10/2011
Thanks Louwrence, I have seen MSM eye drops sold on the Internet but never DMSO drops. I have been thinking about using them but so far I haven't dared as you never know what they are putting in them.
To David.... If you google MSM eye drops you will find a lot of sites selling them!
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 10/10/2011
It is the application of DMSO that is the issue; not the MSM.
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Dud (From The Woods Of, Wv, Usa) on 10/10/2011
Francisca;
Concerning your eye problems; a few weeks back I noticed in one of your posts that you stated that you were still wearing eye-make-up daily, around your eyes. [ I cannot remember which type]
I think that these commercial eye chemicals are the most likely cause for your dry eyes and itchiness. Why don't you give them up for 3 months and see if that cures your eye problems ?
sign me: curious
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/11/2011
Thanks for your reply Dud but I think that there is a misunderstanding here! I don't wear eye make up every day, only once in a while if I go out. As I live in the countryside mostly I don't wear any make up, even if I go for a walk and surely not when I stay at home. I do wear contact lenses as often as I put make up on which is once in a while. But of course I can give up make up alltogether and see how it goes, no problem in putting a little line under my eyes to make me look a bit better and nothing else!
Castor Oil
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 07/01/2011
Do you use the type castor oil that can be bought at any of the big-chain pharmacy stores, or is it a different type castor oil? And how do you apply it? (Meaning - did you buy an eye dropper?) If so, how many drops? Thanks!
Castor Oil
Posted by Rene (Fresno, Ca) on 07/24/2011
I used cold press castor oil and used an eye dropper.
Castor Oil
Posted by Ryan (Deforest Wi.) on 07/16/2017
Hi, My name is Ryan and I was wondering if you were diagnosed with MGD or Blepharitis? If so did the castor oil help?
Chamomile
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Usa) on 06/26/2011
★★★★★
I use just"Plain"Chamomile/no honey or other additives for my dry eyes, and I drink Apple Cider Vinegar daily, it's great.
Castor Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/21/2011
For some reason my eyes have been getting very dry. It all started after the plane trees near our house shed a lot of cotton wool like stuff last year. My husband has problems too. As I wear contact lenses I got very worried and reading about Castor oil for dry eyes on this site I decided to try. The only thing it did was to make my eyes swollen. As we were leaving on a trip I went to the Eye Hospital and the doctor told me that the tear ducts were blocked. The liquid tears were still coming out but no fat. Now I have to put warm black tea bags on my eyes twice a day and then squeeze them a bit all around for the fat to come out. They are better now but still try. I have read about the Manuka Honey but I have to confess that I am afraid to try. By the way, the Castor Oil I used comes from a health food store and as it has a pump is not really in contact with the air. I only put a little bit on the riem of the eye twice a day for a few days.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Eugene (Moscow, Russia) on 11/23/2010
Hi Cat, did you have conjunctivitis or pink eye before taking Coconut oil? I'm struggling with pink eye because of demodex mites in my lashes (very hard to get rid of) so I got mild blepharitis, conjunctivitis and dry eye. Had this for about 3 years now. If that coconut old made your whites look better - I need that stuff too! I've started taking sea-buckthorn oil 1 tbsp 2x but no visible change after about a week. I also put a homemade 20% tea tree oil ointment based on petroleum jelly castor oil sea-buckthorn oil. Still get very pink eye in the morning probably because of inflammation from the ointment. It gets a bit better during the day though. Any advice appreciated.
Vitamin B12
Posted by Cat (Lax, Ca) on 08/04/2010
★★★★☆
I'm fourty and I've been a vegetarian for 30 years
(I'm female 5'6 107 Indian/Indus valley AB and my period are every 22 days ) I've been suffering from dry eyes, thirst, and itchy skin ( there was a time when I couldn't even stand the sheets on my body. The doctor said that it was a bad winter. I recently started taking 10000 Mcg B-12 and I have noticed a dramatic decrease in itching! Prior to that I had to wear a serious oinment 2x a day morning /night, I also get acne monthly usually on my chin and menstrual migraines accompanied with vomiting and nausea so I usually at least drink juice during this time to keep some energy. Anyhow this started 6 months ago. The tests taken for diabetes, sojgrens, auto immune and liver diesease all have been negative. I was diagnosed with anemia, so I'm taking iron and drinking chlorophyll drink. I think I'm perimenopausal. The popular eye drop prescribed burned by eyes badly due to the preservatives. Even the chemical used at the opthamologist office burns my eyes and make them sore for a few days. I can use natural eye drops preservative free drops seem okay but it makes my eyes seem drier later in the day. My doctor suggested the tear punctual plugs in my lower tear ducts, tried it and it did not help. I just recently increased flaxseed oil cold pressed to three tablesoons a day and I do warm compresses on my eyes for some relief. The doctor suggested an eye gel with petroleum mineral oil for nights that only irritated my eyes and caused them to swell. But I have now run out of idea... I feel desperate because I'm aware of the dryness, and that scratchy gritty feeling and the eye discomfort wakes me up at night.
Vitamin B12
Posted by Jholl (Louisville, Ky) on 08/05/2010
Try using castor oil in your eyes. I know it sounds a bit weird, but it is very soothing. I will use it at night after wearing contact lenses all day. It is very comforting and healing. Just a drop or two is all you need. You can buy it at drug stores or about anywhere. Best wishes to you.
Vitamin B12
Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 08/05/2010
Cat: You didn't say if you tried any or all of the remedies here?
Http://www.earthclinic.com/cures/dry_eyes.htmlTry the cheapest and likely quickest acting first. That would be the castor oil and the Lugols. Tears from the lacrimal ducts have 3 components--an aqueous, a mucus, and a lipid (fatty acid). So the aqueous is the immediate wetter, but the lipid and mucus are to prevent the surface from drying out in exposure of more than a few seconds.
Vitamin B12
Posted by Addy (Fb, Ga) on 08/05/2010
Jhol, Did your eyes happen to burn when you put your contacts in the next day? I am using castor oil on my frown lines and got it in my eye when I massaged it in. It was ok but when I put my contacts in the next morning.. Yoweee, it burned! Only lasted a minute or two.. I was just curious.
Vitamin B12
Posted by Zack (Wilderville, Or) on 10/20/2010
To Cat from Lax - Are you still putting the castor oil on your lids or did you stop doing that? Which supplements are you still taking and which did you stop because they were unnecessary, if any? In other words what seems to be the thing or combination that cured your dry eyes? How long did you do each thing before noticing results? Thanks!
Vitamin B12
Posted by Ohlo (Lincolnton, Nc) on 11/07/2010
Kat, regarding your intense itching, if you are using hair conditioner with behentrimonium methosulfate and/or cetearyl alcohol, that may be the culprit. Both are considered harmless, but I developed a reaction to them (not sure which one because they are often a combined ingredient in formulations) and would itch so badly and have the feeling of tiny bugs crawling all over me - especially my legs. This went on for about 2 years, and I only discovered the culprit by accident. I am a visitor on this website and may not return, but I hope this will help you and anyone else. That feeling of something crawling all over you and the intense itching can make you feel like you're going crazy, and it doesn't help that it interferes greatly with sleep. By the way, my symptoms started when I was 40, and I discovered the source as I said by accident at 42. Best of luck to you!
Vitamin B12
Posted by Judy (N. Richland Hills, Tx) on 04/27/2012
This is a comment about dry eyes, not vitamin B12.
I hope any of you who are thinking about drinking a salt or baking soda and water mixture for dry eyes will check thier blood pressure first. Never a good idea to add more salt to your diet on a regular basis.
Castor Oil
Posted by Bessie (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 08/23/2010
Thanks Elsie (from Perth)! I've been using a drop or two of organic castor oil (from the health food store) in my incredibly dry eyes and this is the first time in years that I haven't had problems removing my hard/gas permeable contact lenses. I usually put a couple of drops in each eye right before bed. Most of it runs out of my eye but, because it's so viscous, it tends to coat the eyeball. My whites aren't whiter yet but I'm hoping they'll be soon. In the meantime, I'm enjoying not having the dry, scratchy and gritty feeling I've had to put up with for so long. Thanks again!
Castor Oil
Posted by Lacie (Sussex, Wisconsin) on 11/17/2010
Can you use the castor oil that you buy at walgreens?
Castor Oil
Posted by Katsu (Salt Lake City, Ut, Usa) on 03/24/2011
To Elise from Perth and anyone with the expertise; Just like you I have struggled with dry eyes for a long time I can't wear contact lenses period and my condition seems to be getting worse, my ophtalmologist put me on Restasis, I've tried oil pulling, take omega3 2000mg, warm compresses you name it... And nothing seems to work. Last night I bought a bottle of pure, cold pressed, top quality Castor oil from the organic store, it says on the bottle that is good for the skin and perfect for health promoting packs, it is hexane free & certified (I don't have a clue what that is??) it came without any kind of wrap around plastic or quality seal inside or outside the bottle all you got to do is twist the cap to open it, so I'm hesitant to try it in my dry eyes, I may sound paranoic but someone could've easily mess with the content inside the bottle, Anyways, my question here is should I expect to see a sealed bottle? and did I buy the right kind? please help, I really need to try this asap. Thanks.
Castor Oil
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/25/2011
Hi Katsu, I am no expert on this but because my eyes are becoming very dry and I have difficulties with my contact lenses I tried the put Castor Oil in my eyes. I started putting it on my eyelids as it also seemed to make you sleep better but the only thing it did was to make my eyes look swollen and strange. After awhile I tried to put a bit on the eye rim and they only got worse, quite red and swollen. I went to the Eye Hospital and the doctor told me that the tear ducts were blocked. Did it happen because of the Castor Oil, were they blocked before, I don't know. Anyway, I got some drops to wet the eyes and have to put warm black tea bags on them twice a day and do some massage to make the grease component of the tears come out. They were better and looking quite normal but yesterday I decided to put a bit of CO on my eyebrows, it ran into my eyes and the troubles have started all over again so I won't do it again or else I will put very little just on my eyebrows.
I use a cold pressed CO bought in a health food shop which has a pump so the oil is not in contact with the air. Before that I used another one and the result was the same. Maybe I am allergic to CO or maybe you shouldn't put it in your eyes, no idea. I am afraid of trying the Manuka Honey although some people seem to have had good results with that. I am also going to try either MSM drops or CanC drops. I don't want to give up my contact lenses.......
Castor Oil
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 03/25/2011
Hi Katsu - I'm one of the people who has had success with castor oil in my eyes. My eyes were very dry since I moved from the moist, wet West Coast (Vancouver) to dry, windy and cold Calgary. The first year here I could not wear my contacts. I tried tons of eye drops, compresses, palming (hands over eyes), fish oil, flaxseed oil, etc. The eye doctor just shrugged his shoulders and said that I had to live with it and it's very common.
I use organic castor oil and I've put it in an eyedrop bottle. Every night, right before I'm ready to go to sleep, I add a few drops in each eye (I blink and roll my eyes a bit). The pillowcase gets oil stains on it but that's a small price to pay. I've been doing this for about two years now and I can wear my contacts with no problems. I also drink ACV in water (3 TB in 1-1/2 litres of water). I don't know if that makes a difference. The castor oil I use is imported from India (bottled in Canada). The importing company is Innov'Import from Montreal. It says it's cold pressed and hexane free. It's in a glass bottle and had a plastic sleeve over the cap so no tampering there. However, I did notice today when I went to the health food store, that all the rest of the castor oil (non-organic) were in plastic bottles and didn't have the plastic protection sleeve. Good luck with your eyes. I hope it works for you!
Castor Oil
Posted by Marie2mil (Greenwith, South Australia, Australia) on 02/26/2012
Absolutely agree with using your own Urine for sore eyes. Had sore and dry eyes for a couple of years. Got drops from the Doctor, would be all good while using then as soon as I stopped soreness and sometimes morning gumminess would continue, read about using Urine and gave it a whirl, fantastic and soothing. Also use it to clear stuffy nose. Just capture some mid-stream in a cup and use a cotton ball and drip in a couple of drops. Occasionaly it stings depending on what has been consumed previously but stinging goes pretty quickly. Commercial eye drops sting sometimes as well. I use urine daily now, easy and free, my eyes are no longer dry, sore or murky looking.
Castor Oil
Posted by Patel1947 (Marquette, Mi) on 03/22/2015
The Home health brand says not to put it in your eyes! How come everyone's putting it in their eyes? Any long term side effects?
Castor Oil
Posted by Marcin (Toronto, Canada) on 03/22/2015
I am also confused. I was wondering if I could try it for my cataract. Some people on EC reported bad results, like getting conjunctivitis. One person wrote that one should not apply castor oil to the eyes when it comes in a plastic container.
Castor Oil
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 03/22/2015
I'm putting it on my eyebrow first night -no reaction* eyelid and eyebrow second night- no reaction* eyelid eyebrow and circle around eye third night - no reaction* fourth night put some in corner of eye to get some on the eyeball- no reaction* next drop some right into the eye. Better safe than sorry . Keep trying and you will find out what works for you.
I have tried what the doctor prescribed for other issues and been suffering, so this isn't so bad
Castor Oil
Posted by Prioris (Fl, US) on 03/23/2015
The reason they put - do not put in eye - on castor oil bottle is because the manufacturer is required to do that if they don't want to spend extra money on testing. Castor oil just feels greasy, otherwise you generally feel nothing. It's pretty safe.
Castor Oil
Posted by Elias (Ga) on 03/23/2015
Keep using this. I have had the same problem and my eyes are 100% better, I use this every night, 2 drops in each eye and put the oil under my eye lids and over my lids. This works, just give it some time.
Castor Oil
Posted by Ramona (Perth, Western Australia) on 11/09/2017
Elise..hoping the castor oil still works for yr dry eyes? I'm in Perth as well, can u tell me what brand and where u purchased it from? Thanks.
Castor Oil
Posted by Abigail (Ireland) on 11/24/2017
You wrote olive oil!
Castor Oil
Posted by Skullz (Sydney, Nsw) on 12/12/2011
I'm just wondering for those of you who have used Castor oil with success. Do you buy an eye dropper and fill it up with caster oil to place it in your eyes?
Castor Oil
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 12/13/2011
Hi Skullz - I'm one of the people who has found relief from dry eyes by using castor oil drops. I bought an empty glass eye dropper bottle from the health food store and filled it with organic castor oil (also from the health food store). Every night before I go to bed, I put a couple of drops of castor oil directly in each eye. It does get on the pillowcase but it washes out very easily. I hope it works for you too. Best wishes, Bess
Castor Oil
Posted by Hopeful (Seattle) on 09/03/2015
Find a homepathic pharmacy - they have castor oil eyedrop that is made for the eyes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sylvia (Sydney, Australia) on 12/25/2009
Hien from Houston writes: 5 parts of water, 2 parts of honey and 1 part of apple cider vinegar. Do you put this in your eye or swallow it?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lori (Portland, Or) on 10/18/2013
Re: eye drops made of distilled water, honey, and Apple cider vinegar. How long will this solution keep? How often (what intervals) is it safe to use, and over what duration of time.
Fish or Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Ana (New York) on 05/21/2017 15 posts
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.
Oil Pulling
Posted by candy (Fort Madison, iA) on 03/19/2009
you might also try taking a fish oil supplement. or cod liver oil. i've read that really helps with this.
Oil Pulling
Posted by Shelley37 (Windsor, Ontario) on 08/07/2009
I read on the site about people oil pulling related to their dry eyes. What exactly is oil pulling. I really need some help. Thanks
