Castor oil has long been considered an all-purpose home remedy, used as a laxative, moisturizer, and to relieve lung congestion. Now, some people on TikTok claim that they use castor oil to treat vision problems.
Doctors warn that it is a way to spoil your eyes.
Dozens of videos that have received millions of views show people rubbing castor oil on the eyelids, through the lashes and under the eyes to help treat problems such as dryness, floaters, cataracts, poor vision, and even glaucoma.
Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that is obtained by pressing the seeds of the plant. It has been used for thousands of years in the traditional and folk medicine to treat various problemsfrom bronchitis to skin infections.
It is considered safe as a laxative, but due to its potentially serious side effects, such as vomiting and dizziness, castor oil is not widely used anymore.
That hasn’t stopped TikTokers from promoting it. One woman insisted that after two weeks of use, You no longer need to wear reading glasses as often because the castor oil has helped your vision. Another says it has helped prevent an eye infection and has gotten rid of floaters, gelatinous fluids that cast shadows. on the retina.
Castor oil’s moisturizing properties make it a common ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops. However, those products are specifically formulated and tested to treat dry eyes, doctors say. Bottles of castor oil found on store shelves are not intended for use in the eyes and may contain preservatives, dyes, fragrances, or other ingredients that can cause irritation or infection.
There are limited studies showing that eye drops formulated with a low-concentration castor oil blend help combat dry eye and the blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids. But, according to experts, the studies are of low quality, with small sample sizes and no control groups.
“We can’t make a recommendation for something that has very little evidence behind it,” said Dr. Ashley Brissette, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. “Castor oil is not a panacea. If you are concerned about your eyes, you should see an ophthalmologist.”
WHAT CASTOR OIL CAN AND CANNOT DO FOR EYE HEALTH
Castor oil has no effect on cataracts, an age-related condition that causes blurred vision, floaters, or glaucomawhich occurs when fluid builds up and damages the optic nerve, said Dr. Vicki Chan, a practicing ophthalmologist in Los Angeles.
“These conditions occur inside the eyeball,” Chan explains, “so even if you put a drop of castor oil in your eye, it’s not going to penetrate or dissolve or fix anything.”
However, according to Brissette, castor oil is a great moisturizer. Contains ricinoleic acid -a type of fatty acid that prevents water loss through the skin-, which is why it is found in soaps, cosmetics and lotions.
So if castor oil gets into the eyes, that hydration may explain why some people find it improves vision, Brissette said.
“Eyes need to be hydrated to see clearly, and one of the biggest complaints of dry eye disease is blurry or fluctuating vision,” says Brissette.
Castor oil is also claimed to promote eyelash and eyebrow growth, but to date no studies have proven this theory.
Castor oil is safe for external use on the skin. The Dr. Chantal Cousineau-Kriegeran ophthalmologist at the National Eye Institute, warned that if unsterile castor oil is applied directly to the eye, it can cause an infection.
Other eye risks include irritation, allergic reactions, adverse interactions with eye medications, discomfort, and inflammation.
And don’t substitute castor oil for medications and other treatments in the hope that it can “cure” your condition more naturally, Brissette said.
Ignoring glaucoma medication, for example, can lead to permanent vision loss. Or wait and see if the castor oil improve cataracts instead of opting for prompt surgery could make them more difficult to remove and increase the risk of surgical complications, Brissette said.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY
There are ways to protect the eyes.
Cousineau-Krieger suggests the 20-20-20 rule: When focusing your eyes for long periods of time on a book or computer, for example, take a 20-second break by looking at something 20 feet or more away every 20 minutes. This will reduce fatigue and eye strain.
Brisette says to wash your eyelids with a “formulated eyelid cleanser” every night. This helps remove the buildup of dust, bacteria, and other contaminants that your eyelids and lashes trap throughout the day.
Other ways recommended by experts to protect the eyes are:
- Follow a balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables.
- Remove make-up before going to bed.
- Wear appropriate safety glasses during tasks such as grinding and sanding, or during sports such as racquetball or paintball.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors.
- Get regular eye exams.
This article was originally published in English by Katie Camero for our sister network NBCNews.com. For more from NBC News enter here.
