Homemade eye drops for dry eyes: Are they safe?

There is insufficient evidence to suggest homemade eye drops are safe or effective for treating dry eye syndrome. Homemade eye drops may be unsterile or contain unsuitable ingredients, which could harm eye health.

Instead, a person needs to choose eye drops available to purchase over the counter. They can also try alternative, safe home remedies such as warm eye compresses.

This article examines the science behind homemade eye drops, safe home remedies to use instead, and over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops.

It is unsafe to use homemade eye drops, as they may not be sterile, use adequate preservatives, or use safe ingredients.

A 2021 study looked at online searches of complementary and alternative therapies for dry eye and found that common therapies included:

A 2022 article studied 275 recipes for homemade eye products for use in or around the eye. The recipes included various oils, such as castor oil, coconut oil, almond oil, chamomile tea, and food substances.

The article notes that medicinal eye products, such as eye drops, require sterile ingredients and preparation under strict conditions to eliminate contamination with harmful microorganisms.

The products also need to have a specific pH to match that of tears as closely as possible. Specific guidelines also apply to the concentration and size of particles within the solution.

The study suggests that recipes for homemade eye products may be imprecise, use substances that are unsuitable for eye application, and lack safe preservation. Using homemade eye products is likely unsafe and may result in serious side effects.

If a person does not have any OTC eye drops, there are safe and effective home remedies they can use to help ease dry eye symptoms. These can include:

Daily cleansing of the eyelids and eyelashes may help prevent exposure to irritants and allergens and decrease the buildup of bacteria.

Other home remedies for relieving dry eye symptoms may include:

Learn more about how to treat dry eyes naturally.

OTC eye drops for dry eyes may help relieve symptoms. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), preservative-free eye drops for lubricating dry eyes are generally safe to use as much as people require.

However, eye drops with preservatives may irritate the eyes over time. Experts recommend avoiding these if people use eye drops more than four times daily.

If people have dry, irritated eyes and use OTC eye drops more than two to three times per day, the AAO recommends consulting an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye examination.

A doctor can identify the specific problem and suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently warning people to avoid buying some OTC eye drops from several major brands. This is due to a risk of eye infections that may result in partial vision loss or blindness.

Individuals can check the FDA website for a list of the products to avoid.

Any person with symptoms or signs of an eye infection after using these eye drops needs to speak with a healthcare professional immediately.

It is not safe to use homemade eye drops for dry eye, as they may not be sterile and may contain unsuitable ingredients. Using homemade eye drops may cause unwanted or severe side effects.

If people want to treat dry eye with home remedies, safe options include warm compresses, eyelid washes, and over-the-counter eye drops.

If symptoms do not improve with home remedies, people will need to consult an eye doctor.