Doctors Issue Warning After Viral Urine Eyewash Video

A video became very popular on social media. In the video, a woman was putting urine (pee) in her eyes. She said it was a natural way to heal the eyes. Many doctors saw this video and became very worried.
Dr. Ashish Markan, a well-known doctor, shared a message on Instagram. He said this practice is very dangerous.

Some people believe that urine is clean and has healing power. They think it is safe to use on the skin—even in the eyes. But this is not true. Urine is not clean once it comes out of the body. It can carry germs that cause eye infection and other problems.

Dr. Ashish Markan, on his Instagram page (@your_retina_doctor), explains in detail that putting urine in the eyes can cause serious — even permanent — damage.

Many other doctors also agree with him—eye doctors (ophthalmologists), kidney doctors (urologists), and poison experts (toxicologists) have also warned against this dangerous practice.

While urine is made mostly of water (95%), it also contains: Urea, Ammonia, Salts, Creatinine, Bacteria (especially after it leaves the body) These substances are irritants to the eye, which is one of the most sensitive and sterile environments in the human body.

Doctors and medical reports have shown that putting urine in the eyes can cause serious problems. Possible Dangers:

1. Pink eye (Conjunctivitis) – eyes become red, itchy, and watery

2. Swelling of the clear part of the eye (Keratitis)

3. Wounds or holes in the eye surface (Corneal ulcer or perforation)

4. Germs causing eye infections (Bacterial infection)

5. In very bad cases — permanent loss of eyesight

A case published in the Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology (2018) described a man who developed bilateral anterior staphyloma (a form of irreversible corneal damage) after using urine as eye drops.

When it comes to eye care, only sterile and medically approved solutions should be used. Safe Eyewash Options:

1. Sterile saline solution

2. Artificial tears (preservative-free for regular use)

3. Boiled and cooled water (in emergencies)

4. Prescribed ophthalmic medications

Reference:

1. Fadamiro, Christianah Olufunmilayo. “Bilateral Irreversible Blindness Following Urine Therapy to the Eyes.” Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology 34, no. 2 (2018): 134–136. https://www.pjo.com.pk/34/2/11.%20Christianah%20Fadamiro.pdf.

2. Lacorzana, J., O. Protsyk, P. Morales, and J. A. Lucena Martín. “Corneal Perforation Triggered by the Use of Urine Therapy Drops: Management with Scleral and Amniotic Membrane Grafts.” Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie 44, no. 5 (2021): e299–e301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2020.07.012.

(Rh/Dr. Manish Kumar Jatav/MSM/SE)