The Eyes Have It: Natural Eye Remedies You’ve Never Heard Of

April 24, 2018
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

The eyes are windows to more than just the soul.

Nutrient deficiencies show up as some of the most commonly diagnosed diseases of the eye. From cataracts to dry eyes, your body is giving you signals of missing minerals and vitamins through these prevalent eye problems. Help your eyes age gracefully and stay healthy naturally, avoid surgery and even blindness with these simple nutrition-based eye remedies.

Cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases and a leading cause of legal blindness. They are a clouding of the lens of the eye, caused by damage from free radicals that result in oxidation and aging in a process similar to hardening of the arteries. Smoking, diabetes, heart disease, excess alcohol consumption, prescription drugs, nutrient-deficient diet, and food allergies are all known causes of cataracts.

Lifestyle changes to prevent or manage cataracts include quitting smoking, eliminating sodas and other sugary drinks, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, and increasing exercise. Eating right for your sight means a diet high in protein, Vitamin A, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin. Helpful supplements include CoQ10, vitamin C, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, and glutathione.

Dr. Robert Rowen created a simple eye drop formula that has been quite successful as a natural eye remedy to dissolve cataracts. Many countries around the world use vitamin and mineral eye drops and it’s high time we make them our go-to solution, too. It’s challenging to get nutrients into the eye, so give these drops a few months to start working their magic. This formulation is available by prescription through a compounding pharmacy:

  • DMSO – 6.25%. DMSO is a natural, anti-inflammatory, sulfur-based solvent that carries the other nutrients into the deeper tissues in the eye, allowing for better absorption.
  • Vitamin C – 1.25%. Cataracts have been called “scurvy of the eye” because research has shown that cataracts begin when the body becomes deficient in Vitamin C. The sclera of the eye especially relies on Vitamin C for good health. The Vitamin C used in this formula is sodium ascorbate.
  • Glutathione – 1.25%. This potent antioxidant is paramount for eye health. Eyes with cataracts have been found to have less than 25 percent the amount of glutathione that a healthy, normal lens has and restoring optimal levels is essential for healthy eyes.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss over age 50, and researchers have found a strong link to nutrition in stopping its progression. AMD often goes unnoticed in its early stages; it’s not until the more severe symptoms show up, like central vision loss, objects becoming blurry or distorted, or straight lines looking wavy that people start to notice there’s a problem. For healthy aging of your eyes, researchers have found the following nutrients taken daily to be helpful in preventing and slowing the progression of AMD:

  • Lutein – 10 mg
  • Zeaxanthin – 2 mg
  • Vitamin C – 500 mg (I recommend at least 2000 mg)
  • Vitamin E – 400 mg
  • Zinc – 40-80 mg

Floaters

Have you ever seen dark specks, strings, or even cobweb-looking objects drifting through your field of vision that seem to dart away quickly when you blink or move your eyes? These are floaters and are more common as we age. The vitreous fluid, which fills about 80 percent of the eye and creates its round shape, shrinks as we age and becomes somewhat stringy, casting shadows and creating floaters.

Floaters have been a personal issue of mine for a few years now, and I’ve found liquid MSM drops with vitamin C to be the best natural eye remedy for this common problem. Just one drop in each eye a few times daily is all it takes. MSM has been shown to repair damaged tissues in the eye while improving circulation, making them more permeable and allowing nutrients to pass through more easily. It also helps remove tissue particles and clear floaters. I use Dexterity Health brand, which you can find here.

Dry Eyes

Eyes thrive in moist conditions; so dry eyes are not just uncomfortable but also make the surface of the eye more prone to injury. Dry eyes commonly come from environmental conditions causing tears to evaporate faster, medications that cause you to produce fewer tears, too much screen time, or underlying health conditions. But it’s not just the amount of tears you produce that matters – it’s also the quality of those tears. If you are producing poor quality tears because of nutrient deficiencies, they will evaporate faster causing that gritty, dry feeling that irritates your eyes.

The best nutrients to restore good quality moisture to your eyes are Omega-3 fats and N-Acetyl Cysteine. Your body starts using Omega-3 fats for the health of your eyes and to develop vision even before you’re born, and your eyes continue to use these essential fats over your entire lifetime. Multiple studies have shown that a single daily dose of Omega-3 from supplements like UNI KEY Health’s Super-EPA increased the quality and quantity of tears and reduced the symptoms of dry eye in as little as three weeks. N-Acetyl Cysteine has been shown to protect the surface of the eye and protect against oxidative damage.

Eat right for your sight, get daily exercise to increase blood flow to your eyes, and get essential nutrients either through eye drops or supplements to encourage optimal eye health and sharp vision at any age.

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

31 Comments

  1. Sheila Tomassetti

    Hi, would this MSM-C drops be good for high eye pressure & allergy eyes? I was once told I may have bleparitis in eyes due to roscea on face. Also, any natural item for roscea?

    Thank you,
    Sheila

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Shiela, the MSM-C drops are for floaters. High eye pressure and allergy eyes can be addressed by other eye drops. To help with rosacea you can take HCL+2.

      Reply
  2. K D

    I’m confused by your instructions to put the drops in the eye. Yet in the bottle for the product link, it clearly states to add drops to your favorite beverage. Are these safe for eye? Thx K D

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      KD, According to the doctor we spoke with, the drops are safe and work well when put directly in your eye.

      Reply
  3. Lisa Marie SCATA-DeWolf

    How and where do we get a prescription for the Eye drops – goodness knows my eye specialists would not agree – they think EFA’s are not good for the eyes even though I have regained somoe tearing using Uni-key!~

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Lisa Marie, You don’t need a prescription for the eye drops. You can buy them directly by following the link above.

      Reply
      • Jennifer Loper

        The compound prescription for cataracts does not require a doctor’s prescription?

        Reply
        • Team ALG

          Jennifer, you can check with your pharmacy to see if they can compound these eye drops. If you need a prescription I would talk to your eye doctor and explain the benefits of this formula see if you can get a prescription.

          Reply
      • Tammy

        Can you reply with the link to order or else email me the link please? I do not see a link. thank you!

        Reply
    • Deb Heesen

      The post does very clearly State a prescription is needed for the formulation for cataracts. The eye drops for floaters does not need a prescription.

      Reply
  4. Kathleen

    Thank you for the eye care information–I have dry eyes, also teary, bloodshot eyes all the time. In the last 2 months, it was so bad with my inflamed irritated eyes that I had to restrict my computer time. I cannot stay on long, just to check e-mails. The eyes are very uncomfortable so I will look into the supplements/eye drops you have recommended. I do take GLA, CLA and Super EPA, I’ll increase my intake.

    Reply
  5. Deb Heesen

    The eye drops for floaters, is this something to be continued indefinitely? Do you see an improvement quickly?

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Deb: use of the eye drops is very individual. Most people see an improvement fairly quickly.

      Reply
      • Dave

        I started using the MSM drops and within 3 days have noticed a significant improvement. I put about 3 drops in each eye 4 times a day. It works. Use it and keep it as your standard eye drops.

        Reply
  6. Rita Ferrell Lasky

    Where can you get a prescription for the compounded treatment for cataracts?

    Reply
  7. Team ALG

    Rita, the eye drops do not need a prescription. Just follow the link above to buy them.

    Reply
    • Doreen Randal

      I have been told I would need a prescription was needed. Please provide the link to order Thanks

      DMSO – 6.25%. DMSO is a natural, anti-inflammatory, sulfur-based solvent that carries the other nutrients into the deeper tissues in the eye, allowing for better absorption.
      Vitamin C – 1.25%. Cataracts have been called “scurvy of the eye” because research has shown that cataracts begin when the body becomes deficient in Vitamin C. The sclera of the eye especially relies on Vitamin C for good health. The Vitamin C used in this formula is sodium ascorbate.
      Glutathione – 1.25%. This potent antioxidant is paramount for eye health. Eyes with cataracts have been found to have less than 25 percent the amount of glutathione that a healthy, normal lens has and restoring optimal levels is essential for healthy eyes.

      Reply
      • Team ALG

        Doreen, yes this formulation is available by prescription through a compounding pharmacy. You need to have your eye doctor or health care provider give you a prescription.

        Reply
      • MD Damus

        College Pharmacy in Colorado Springs compounds the VIt C/GSH/DMSO drops. You will need an Rx, from a doctor such as an eye doctor or your primary care provider (such as MD or naturepath). They also sell a special nutritional eye drop they make themselves called Oclumed, that is supposed to help with certain eye conditions. http://www.collegepharmacy.com/index.php?/oclumed_eye_drops

        Reply
  8. Tammy

    I do not see a link to purchase. Can someone email it to me please? Or else post the link in your comment? Thanks!!

    Reply
  9. Melvin dixon

    When making the solution.do you add any anything else to it. ie saline or purified water. Dmso vitamin c glutathione

    Reply
    • Dave

      Distilled Water, I believe. That’s what every other formulation uses.

      Reply
  10. April Ramage

    Hi,
    Ive just turned 73 years old but last June I suddenly noticed the floaters in my left eye got bigger and darker. I got it checked out at the opticians right away and he said tissue on the inside of my eye had detached. I bought MSM with vitamin C drops and have been using them several times a day for about a year but they’ve done Nothing to rid my eye of this big worm like floater that waves across my eye. Fortunately I’m able to mostly ignore it when I have my glasses on. I’m going to try DMSO and see if it will dissolve this floater and scar tissue in the back of my right eye due to a vitrectomy for a macular cyst that became a macular hole 2 1/2 years ago. I’m going for an eye check up this coming Monday to find out if this floater is part of my Retina.
    Do you know if DMSO taken internally could dissolve this floater and scar tissue?
    Sincerely,
    A.Ramage

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      April, I have read of DMSO helping to dissolve scar tissue when taken internally.

      Reply
    • patsy

      From personal experience, I have found that vitamin B6 helps floaters to go away.

      Reply
  11. Dianne Cash

    You can make your own meal eye drops must have everything sterile. Look it up online I use bleach on everything I use. Bottles eye droppers and anything you will be using to make or contain finished product You can also buy them readymade at places like yummy mummy emporium.

    Reply
  12. Maria Oemig

    I purchased the MSM eye drops you recommended for floaters and have been using 1 drop in each eye twice a day for a week now. There does not seem to be any improvement. Do you think I should use the drops more often? I wear contacts during the day, so doing it twice (before inserting contacts and after removing them for the day) works well. I read your comments regularly in Womans World also.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Maria, You certainly could use the drops twice a day if you wish. So glad you are also following Ann Louise in Women’s World too.

      Reply

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