NEW YORK, Aug 10 — On the TikTok social network, some users are claiming that castor oil has improved their eye health. According to them, this oil, known for making hair grow, can help make cataracts and glaucoma disappear. False information that experts are attempting to clarify, given the widespread nature of the trend.
After a dangerous trend saw some individuals using Borax for their skin, some users are hijacking another product and using it off-label. This time, it’s castor oil. This vegetable oil, made by cold-pressing castor beans, is primarily known for helping hair to grow. But it also has other virtues: It can relieve constipation and treat skin issues. But recently, some web users are claiming that this same oil could also improve vision. Typing “castoroilforeyesight” on the TikTok social network brings up dozens of videos showing people rubbing castor oil into their eyelids.
While castor oil has been embraced for helping people grow longer eyelashes, it’s important that the oil doesn’t come into contact with the eye. But that’s exactly what this dangerous trend consists of. According to the videos, users are claiming it helps treat problems such as dryness, cataracts, poor vision and glaucoma. In one video, a woman claims she no longer needs to wear her glasses as much to read after two weeks, thanks to the castor oil she rubs on her eyelids. She tells viewers: “Don’t worry about it getting in your eye, it will get into your eye a little bit, and that’s good, because it reduces inflammation and improves blood flow to the eye.” Another user claims to have been able to prevent an eye infection and get rid of floaters with the oil. And the phenomenon is gaining momentum on the Chinese social network: the hashtag “castor oil for eye sight“ has accumulated over 40 million views.
But beware: Many experts agree that this trend is dangerous, as it has no scientific basis. A few studies have indeed indicated that eye drops with castor oil can relieve dry eyes and blepharitis, but they were carried out on small samples and did not include a control group. “We just can’t make a recommendation for something that has very little evidence behind it,” Dr. Ashley Brissette, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York told NBC News. “Castor oil is not a cure-all. If you have concerns about your eyes, you need to see an ophthalmologist,” she adds.
The theory that castor oil improves eyesight stems mainly from its use as an ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops. These products are designed solely to treat dry eyes. In other words, the average bottle of castor oil you find in the supermarket is not intended for use in your eyes. In fact, most of these products are full of colorants, preservatives and fragrances that could cause eye irritation or even infection.
Castor oil doesn’t have any effect on cataracts, an age-related condition with symptoms of blurred vision and floaters, or glaucoma, Dr. Vicki Chan, a practising ophthalmologist in Los Angeles told NBC News. “These conditions occur inside the eyeball,” Chan continued, “so even if you put a drop of castor oil on your eye, it’s not going to seep in and dissolve or fix anything.”
Rest assured, there are other healthy ways to use castor oil for our eye area. For example, you can soak a small mascara brush in the oil to stimulate lash growth. If you want to massage the area around your eyes to remove dark circles or relieve dry eyes, make sure the castor oil is purified and sterile. But if you’re experiencing vision problems such as cataracts or floaters, it’s advisable to consult an ophthalmologist. — ETX Studio
