eyebright Health Article

Generic name(s):

eyebright

Brand name(s):

What is the most important information I should know about eyebright?

Since the efficacy of eyebright has not been proven in the treatment of eye disorders and application to the eyes may be unsanitary, the use of eyebright in the eyes is generally not recommended.

Inflammation or irritation of the eyes could be signs of a potentially serious infection. Eyebright should not be used to treat an eye condition without consulting a physician. Eyebright should also not be used in the eyes if you wear any type of contact lenses or if you have had any recent eye surgery (laser vision correction, cataract surgery, cornea transplant surgery, etc.).

Eyebright has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of eyebright may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

What is eyebright?

The use of eyebright in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Eyebright is also known as Euphrasia officinalis and euphrasia.

Eyebright has been used for congestion of the nose, sinuses, and eyes; inflammation of the eyelids; eye styes; eye fatigue symptoms; other eye disorders; and coughs and hoarseness. Since the efficacy of eyebright has not been proven in the treatment of eye disorders and application to the eyes may be unsanitary, the use of eyebright in the eye is generally not recommended.

Eyebright has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of eyebright may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Eyebright may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not use eyebright?

Inflammation or irritation of the eyes could be signs of a potentially serious infection. Eyebright should not be used to treat an eye condition without consulting a physician. Eyebright should also not be used in the eyes if you wear any type of contact lenses or if you have had any recent eye surgery (laser vision correction, cataract surgery, cornea transplant surgery, etc.).

Before using eyebright, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Eyebright may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not use eyebright without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether eyebright will harm an unborn baby. Do not use eyebright without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether eyebright will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of eyebright by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.