Can castor oil eye drops improve or dissolve cataracts? Is castor oil or tea tree oil helpful for other eye conditions such as blepharitis or dry eye?

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Is Castor Oil Safe for Eyes?

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated July 07, 2025 ⓘ

Castor Oil for Cataracts? -- bottle of castor oil and dropper

Answer:

Castor oil may be helpful in treating dry eye and, possibly, eyelid inflammation (tea tree oil may be useful for eyelid inflammation also), but there is no clinical evidence that it can improve vision in people with cataracts or "dissolve" cataracts. Sign in as a member for details about the clinical evidence and safety of using castor oil eye drops for dry eye, blepharitis, and cataracts.

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