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I use castor oil for dry eye relief. I’m prone to red itchy eyes, Blepharitis and crusty specks on my eyelashes when I wake up. I had my eye doctor check for erosion of the cornea or bacterial infection, then I began using increased EPA/DHA, warm compresses, eye massage (see below) and castor oil for my dry eyes. This also works for Demodex lash infection.
Natural Relief for Dry Eye
There’s lots of info on this page and its Podcast, but be sure to ALSO read my additional article on the daily step-by-step plan I use that has improved my dry eye score. Read that here when you’re finished studying this article.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry Eye is insufficient tears, poor quality tears, or clogging of the eye’s oil glands. Symptoms include a gritty feeling, redness, stinging, excess tears, crusts on the eyelids, dryness of the eye, itching and more. Tears protect the surface of the eye, the cornea and the lining of the eyelid. Don’t ignore dry eye!
What is Blepharitis?
Inflammation of the eyelids due to clogged Meibomian oil glands in the eyelids. It can also be bacterial or mites ((or alll of these pus fatty acid deficiency).
Castor Oil for Dry Eye Relief
Castor Oil comes from the seed of the castor shrub. It contains unique fats (ricinoleiec acid) and anti-oxidants and are anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. Massaging it onto eyelids, brows and lashes will help unclog eye glands and get circulation in the ducts.
Use Castor Oil eye drops that are Hexane Free and organic such as this one I use on my face and/or eyes. (For larger areas I use this one or add cotton flannel to make castor oil packs for the liver or abdomen).
Warm Compress and Castor Oil Massage for Dry Eye
- Start with a clean, unmoisturized face.
- Heat a cup of filtered water (soft water burns my eyes) and pour some on a Microfiber Wash Cloth (softer than a washcloth). Hold gently on closed eyes, contacting the eyelashes and tear ducts. Do this for 4 minutes, keeping the cloth warm but not hot.
- Or use a heated eye mask such as this Bruder mask I like for my small face.
- Then, gently (GENTLY) massage the eyelids at the bone just under the eyebrow and against the bone just under the eye.
Finally, put a drop or two of castor oil on a fingertip and gently massage the eyelids, lashes, brows and skin around the eyes. Castor oil is an excellent moisturizer as well as a therapy.
Castor Oil Drops in the Eye
In addition to the above, try a drop of pure castor oil in each eye. Your vision will be cloudy for a few minutes. Very soothing though.
Vitamin A for Dry Eye
Vitamin A is not Beta-Carotene from carrots. Retinol comes only from animal products. Many people do not convert Beta-Carotene to Vitamin A, especially if hypothyroid.
Eating liver several times a month will supply Vitamin A. Try my gluten-free Secret Ingredient Meatballs and Gravy. It has a little liver and uses cauliflower instead of bread crumbs. Or my famous “Illegal” Pate.
Supplements for Vitamin A for Eyes
These emulsified Vitamin A drops are easy to use and high in potency. One drop daily on a bite of food provides 12,500 i.u.
Our Rosita Cod Oil gelcaps or liquid have some natural Vitamin A too. Use Rosita daily for life along with K2 from Walkabout Emu Oil or a K2 supplement.
Causes of Dry Eye or Blepharitis
Essential Fat Deficiency
Most of us benefit from extra DHA from cod liver oil or fish oil. (Here’s the difference). My clinic’s top-selling Rosita Cod Liver Oil has more DHA than EPA (that’s unusual) and naturally occurring Vitamins A and D. (Always take Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D. ALWAYS). Regular fish oil provides EPA/DHA (more EPA than DHA) but no Vitamin A. I prefer this high DHA fish oil if you aren’t on Rosita.
In addition to DHA Fish Oil, I had great improvement in dry eye when I added Black Currant Seed Oil gelcaps. Gamma Linoleic Acid is an essential fat, but hard to get in our diets. I take 2 daily with food.
Medical Issues Causing Dry Eye
Dry Eye can be a symptom of autoimmune disorders or thyroid issues. Many meds list dry eye as a side effect. Ask your doc to change to another.
Dry Eyes From Wind, Allergy, Computers, Body Care
Wind, smoke, pollen, dry air. Staring at screens makes us blink less. Learn to constantly moisten your eyes – close for a few seconds, blink a few times and look to the distance. Hard, soft or chlorinated water can all cause eye irritation. Here’s info on blinking and dry eye relief.
Cosmetics: Makeup, cleansers, hair and body care can all irritate the eyes. Find out which are doing this and replace them. False eyelashes and contact lenses often cause eye inflammation. Eye makeup can be really hard on your eyes. Only wear it when/if you “have to”.
Is it Allergies or Dry Eye?
If it’s pollen season try D-HIST. We sell a ton of it (cheaper than Amazon). Take as many or as few as you need. Similasan Dry Eye Drops can be useful but will not fix the underlying cause. Fixing the cause – not just the symptom – is what natural health is all about!
Your Eye Doctor Can Help
Your doctor can clean the eyelids’ Meibomian glands and test a tear sample. They have drops and ointments but won’t know about castor oil for dry eye or Blepharitis relief. Check for erosion of the cornea and other issues that go beyond simple dry eye but don’t let them plug your tear ducts unless you’ve tried everything else. That may fix the symptom but not the cause of your fat deficiency and eating hydrogenated oils that clog ducts.
