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Herbs and lifestyle factors can provide support that benefits eye health.

Eye health

Last reviewed 09/07/2025

It is estimated that everyone will experience vision impairment or an eye condition at some point in their life. We explore natural medicine for eye health.

Understanding eye health

Eye Health

The eyes are our portal to the visual world, with vision being considered the most dominant of the human senses (1).  Nowadays, the eyes are overloaded with stimuli from artificial lighting and screens, stimuli unlike those the eyes encounter in the natural world. Aside from the strain this over-exposure to unnatural lighting puts on the eyes themselves, this stimulation is also a lot for the nervous system to process which can lead to stress headaches.

Our eyes are further exposed to pollutants, which can cause irritations to the eyes, and possible inflammations and infections such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

It is estimated that everyone will experience vision impairment or an eye condition at some point in their life and require eye care services, and that there is a direct link between eye health, reducing visual impairment, and overall good health and wellbeing (1).

Whilst some eye conditions have genetic factors, many are also contributed to by lifestyle (such as food and exercise), environment (including exposure to pollutants, infectious diseases, and ultraviolet lights), and social and economic factors (including poverty or low income which will impact access to eye healthcare and quality food providing nutrients valuable for supporting eye health).

The leading causes of visual impairments globally are (2):

  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Cataract
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Glaucoma
  • Uncorrected refractive errors

Factors affecting visual impairment vary depending on the place in the world, but in the UK it tends to be age-related pathologies which affect the eyes the most.  There is a worldwide increase in diabetic retinopathy (1), a complication of diabetes affecting the eyes and potentially leading to loss of vision, as well as eye issues associated with hypertension, which is also on the rise.

Herbs and lifestyle factors can provide support that benefits eye health.

Many herbs are suitable for self-care. However if a health condition does not resolve with home remedies we recommend using the information in Herbal Reality along with your health advisors, especially herbal practitioners from the professional associations listed in our Resources page (‘If you want to find a herbalist”). When buying any herbal products, you should choose responsible manufacturers with independently assured quality standards and sustainability practices. Check the label carefully for the appropriate safety and sustainability information.

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