Can Castor Oil Help with Cataracts?

Castor oil has some benefits for eye conditions like dry eye and blepharitis. However, there’s no evidence castor oil can help treat or prevent cataracts.

Cataracts occur when proteins in the eye build up and cause the lens to become cloudy. This can affect vision by blocking light that normally passes through the lens and retina into the brain.

While castor oil can help with eye conditions like dry eyes, there’s no evidence using it can help prevent or treat cataracts. Castor oil can also cause harmful allergic reactions or irritation if it’s not used properly.

Read on to learn more about whether castor oil may help with cataracts, how to use it in your eyes safely, and what other treatment options you should consider.

Can castor oil help with cataracts?

There’s no evidence castor oil helps with cataracts .

Cataracts are caused by proteins clouding the lens of your eye . As the lens is underneath the protective layer of your eyeball, known as the cornea, castor oil can’t penetrate the cornea to reach the lens.

The only known study related to castor oil and cataracts is a 2020 study on rats . The authors used castor oil as a control to test how effective lutein and water chestnut extract were in preventing cataracts from progressing.

However, the study found castor oil did not affect the rats’s cataracts, while lutein and chestnut did help prevent cataracts from getting worse. It’s difficult to conclude whether these results apply to humans, too.

A 2021 article suggests castor oil might have anti-inflammatory effects that could help with eye conditions that might contribute to cataracts. However, there’s no evidence these effects have any direct impact on cataracts.

Should you use castor oil in your eyes?

You shouldn’t use castor oil in your eyes unless you have spoken with a doctor or eye specialist first.

Castor oil has no demonstrated benefits for preventing or treating cataracts. If you’re concerned about cataracts or have no other conditions it can help treat, such as dry eyes or blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) , you may want to avoid using it altogether .

What are the disadvantages?

Using castor oil for eye conditions may have some unwanted side effects , including:

• blurry vision from the oily film it leaves on your eyes
• reactions to preservatives used in castor oil drops, such as benzalkonium chloride or sodium chlorite
• allergic reactions , like shortness of breath , nausea , or dizziness

Other treatment options for cataracts

Cataract surgery is the most common treatment for cataracts that interfere with your vision.

There is no way to clear a lens that’s become cloudy, either naturally or with medication. Replacing the lens with an intraocular lens implant is a safe and effective way to restore vision clouded by cataracts. Almost 95% of people have improved vision after cataract surgery.

An eye surgeon will use one of two surgical options to treat cataracts. Phacoemulsification uses ultrasound waves to break up the lens, remove it, and replace it with a new lens. Extracapsular surgery removes the lens through a small incision in your eye and replaces it with a new lens.

How to prevent cataracts

It is important to visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly for eye checkups. They can help identify the early signs and symptoms of cataracts.

You can help prevent cataracts by:

• wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from UVB rays
• reducing or quitting smoking
• eating foods high in antioxidants , such as fruits and vegetables
• maintaining a moderate weight
• managing conditions, like diabetes , which can cause eye complications

When to speak with a doctor

You shouldn’t use castor oil in your eyes without speaking with a doctor or eye specialist first.

They can help ensure you don’t harm your vision or cause any unwanted side effects.

If you’re using castor oil in your eyes already, speak with a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• eye irritation or rubbing that doesn’t go away
• trouble producing tears
• blurry vision
• vision loss
• allergic reactions, such as itching or swelling

Takeaway

There is no evidence to suggest castor oil can help or treat cataracts. If not used properly, it can also be harmful to the eyes and lead to side effects, such as blurry vision and an allergic reaction.

Medical intervention, such as surgery, is often one of the only effective and evidence-based ways to treat cataracts.