Eye disease treatment tips: The benefits do not outweigh the harm

Recently, on social networks, many associations and groups have been established to share methods of treating eye diseases using folk remedies such as: putting a few drops of lemon juice into the eyes to wash away dirt, help brighten the eyes and improve vision. Or using breast milk to treat eye inflammation. In particular, a patient after cataract surgery used betel leaves to apply to his eyes, leading to serious endophthalmitis.

Báo Đồng Nai•29/04/2025

Specialist Doctor I Tran The Thang, Director of Operations, Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital.

Regarding this issue, specialist doctor I Tran The Thang, Director of Operations at Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital, warned that putting lemon juice in the eyes is very dangerous because it can burn the cornea, reduce vision, and even cause blindness.

According to Dr. The Thang, the human eye has a neutral pH environment (about 7.0), while lemon juice contains high concentrations of citric acid, which is strongly acidic. When dropped directly into the eyes, lemon juice will definitely cause a reaction. Mildly, it causes discomfort and eye pain, more seriously, it damages the conjunctival and corneal epithelium, causing burning, red eyes, and watery eyes. If this action is repeated many times, the damage can become serious, leading to corneal burns, reduced vision, and even blindness.

Dr. Tran The Thang especially emphasized that the cornea is a transparent, extremely sensitive membrane. Dropping lemon juice, which has strong acidity, directly into the eyes is not only dangerous for adults, but also poses a more serious risk to children.

"Currently, there is no scientific evidence to prove that putting lemon juice in the eyes will help brighten the eyes and improve vision. This practice needs to stop immediately," Dr. Thang warned.

In addition to putting lemon juice in the eyes, many people also spread the word about the method of putting breast milk in the baby's eyes to treat eye inflammation. In fact, eye hospitals have recorded cases of children with eye infections, even corneal perforation after adults put breast milk directly into their eyes.

According to Dr. Thang, there are children with eye discharge, instead of cleaning their eyes with saline, their family members put breast milk - a non-sterile solution, which can easily cause infection - into the eyes. When milk contaminated with bacteria comes into contact with the child's eyes, it can easily cause severe infection, and if not treated promptly, it can lead to dangerous complications.

At Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital, a case was recently recorded of a patient who had used betel leaves to apply to his eyes after cataract surgery, leading to serious endophthalmitis. Fortunately, with high expertise and modern machinery and equipment, doctors at Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital successfully treated the patient by cutting the purulent vitreous, helping the patient escape the risk of serious eye damage.

The image of a baby whose father put lemon juice in his eyes to cure an illness has been circulating on social media in recent days, causing mixed opinions.

Ophthalmologists recommend that when there are abnormal signs in the eyes or if you want to improve your vision, you should go to the hospital for an eye specialist to get proper treatment advice. Natural ingredients such as lemon, garlic or breast milk should be used through food or under the guidance of a nutritionist - absolutely do not put drops in the eyes on your own.

In emergency cases such as eyes exposed to chemicals, immediately rinse with clean water and quickly take to a medical facility with an eye specialist for timely treatment, avoiding home remedies that can lead to serious and dangerous disease progression.

Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital. Address: No. 418 Pham Van Thuan Street, Ward 3, Tam Hiep Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province. Hotline: 0251.8823.288 - 0812.557.335

Minh Khue

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/y-te/202504/chua-benh-ve-mat-theo-meo-loi-bat-cap-hai-3916ac4/