Dangers of Using Castor Oil for Cataracts

Cataracts are something most of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives. By the age of 65, over 90 percent of people have had a cataract. Over the age of 75, over half have experienced vision loss due to cataracts. This makes cataract surgery one of the most common surgeries performed in the US. 

Considering the cost of surgery, finding alternatives is an attractive option for many people. Some claim that castor oil can be used to reduce or eliminate cataracts. For someone who has begun to lose vision due to cataracts, castor oil may seem like it is worth a try. 

Before you use castor oil for cataract treatment, here are some dangers you need to know about.

No Scientific Evidence

Some people tout castor oil as a cure-all for the eyes, saying it can alleviate dry eye and cataracts. While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence out there, no solid scientific evidence has been found for these claims to date. 

There are experiments with an eye drop that includes castor oil in it, but they have yet to show conclusive evidence that castor oil can reduce cataracts. While doctors are excited at the possibility that these eye drops could cure cataracts without surgery, they are years from being safe and effective for use.

Using Regular Castor Oil

It can be tempting to take regular old castor oil and put it into your eyes in an effort to improve your sight loss from cataracts. However, this can introduce foreign objects into your eyes that can cause infection, creating further problems. This is a huge danger of using castor oil. 

Absolutely do not put regular castor oil into your eyes. The possible benefits do not mitigate the danger. Instead, talk to your eye doctor for advice on how to best deal with your cataracts,

Redness and Itching

Putting castor oil in your eyes can cause discomforts such as redness and itching. This can cause you to rub your eyes more, make your eyes dry, and cause a myriad of other uncomfortable eye issues. Do not put anything in your eyes that was not made specifically for use in eyes.

Our eye doctors help you find the best treatment for your cataracts!

Our experienced eye doctors near West Palm Beach develop a treatment plan to deal with your cataracts and any sight loss they may be causing. Call us today at 561-737-4040 to have your eyes examined and learn more about cataract treatments such as Crystalens and Toric.