Honey has been found to possess antimicrobial properties that may be effective in combating bacterial eye infections, reducing redness, and promoting healing. Yet, it's vital to use sterilized honey eye drops to guarantee the honey is devoid of bacteria or other impurities that might result in additional infection.
Manuka honey is known to help because it has natural healing and antibacterial properties, which might explain why it works better for you than Cationorm. It can reduce inflammation and help with tear film stability, making your eyes feel more comfortable.
Yes, when consumed in moderation. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and beneficial enzymes, honey offers a variety of health benefits that make it a healthier alternative to regular refined sugar. Honey can be a sweet and nutritious addition to your diet, but it's important to remember that it's still a form of sugar.
How to Use:
FDA advises consumers not to use eye drops that contain honey as an ingredient. Honey is not appropriate for use in the eye. We have received reports from consumers who say they experienced a burning sensation in the eye when they used these products.
To protect your eyes with honey, consider the following tips: Use sterilized honey eye drops to alleviate dry eyes or treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Apply honey mixed with a carrier oil over closed eyelids to soothe inflammation and reduce wrinkles.
NYU Langone ophthalmologists often suggest the use of artificial tears for mild dry eye disease. This is an over-the-counter medication available as an eye drop that helps to replace or supplement the tear film, the natural layer of water, oil, and mucus that keeps the eyes moist.
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Is honey good for your face? Yes — honey is a natural humectant that deeply moisturizes, locking in hydration for smooth and supple skin. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe acne and help with healing and brightening.
Diabetes: Using large amounts of honey might increase blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Honey contains sugar and should be used in moderation. Pollen allergies: Avoid honey if you are allergic to pollen. Honey, which is made from pollen, may cause allergic reactions.
Do not refrigerate honey. Keeping your honey in the refrigerator preserves it but the cool temperatures will cause your honey to form a semi-solid mass, so this method of storage is not recommended.
How to incorporate more honey into your diet
There was a significant increase in eye pressure and a reduction in redness and limbal papillae, following the use of the honey drops in the honey group compared to the placebo control group. The results showed that drops of honey can be effective in the reduction of redness and limbal papillae and in improving VKC.
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Safety and side effects
Not Wearing Sunglasses
Overexposure to UV rays is one of the biggest causes of eye health and vision issues, including cataracts and glaucoma. Age-related diseases may occur naturally as your eyes get older. However, without proper protection, you may start to notice symptoms for them at an earlier age.
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The best home remedies for wrinkles on your forehead (or any area of your face) are coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and evening primrose oil.
The Bottom Line
Honey eye drops have recently gained popularity and have been touted to treat a variety of eye conditions, such as floaters, inflammation, cataracts, and glaucoma. Application of honey eye drops can not only be painful, but may cause damage to the eye.
There's one type of drop patients should avoid experimenting with, however. Be careful of eye drops that are marketed to relieve red eyes, as they often contain vasoconstrictors which can actually worsen symptoms and redness over time. Ingredients to stay away from include tetrahydrozoline and naphazoline.
Experts advise consuming no more than six teaspoons of honey per day for women or nine teaspoons for men. Consuming too much honey or sugar can lead to various health complications, including obesity, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart attacks.
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Results: Systane is significantly more effective than Refresh Tears at improving symptoms of "dryness" (75% vs 41%). Systane costs on average $57.79 per year more than Refresh Tears.
Several new dry eye treatments were approved by the FDA in 2025, including Miebo™ (NOV03), VEVYE™ (CyclASol), and Reproxalap.