Melipona Honey from Stingless Bess has been considered as a therapeutic agent; its successful application in the treatment of non-healing infected wounds has promoted its further clinical usage for treating various disorders including eye disorders. There is evidence that honey may be helpful in treating dry eye disease, post-operative corneal edema, and bullous keratopathy. Furthermore, it can be used as an antibacterial agent to reduce the ocular flora. This review discusses both the current knowledge of and new perspectives for honey therapy in ophthalmology.

Melipona Honey is considered to be a natural product with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its successful application in the treatment of chronic wounds and burns has promoted its further clinical use in other clinical departments, including ophthalmology. One of the major advantages of honey is its multi-factorial antibacterial action and the fact that there is no risk of developing bacterial resistance to it. In this work we discuss the current knowledge and new perspectives for honey therapy in treatment of eye diseases such as dry eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and bullous keratopathy. Key words: honey, eye diseases, natural product, treatment.

Honey has clear antioxidant property and cause free radicals to neutralize. Antioxidant activity could be one reason for the anti-inflammatory effect of honey. Because oxygen free radicals are involved in different inflammatory conditions [22–24], antioxidants, especially the natural ones, are able to reduce inflammation [25–27]. Even if honey antioxidants cannot completely suppress inflammation, it can reduce its damage and possibly be effective in improving the symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Benefits of using honey for your eyes

Honey’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, combined with its soothing abilities, make it a surprisingly effective treatment for several eye conditions.

All of the following home remedies for eye conditions involve mixing specialty-grade honey (like locally sourced, honeycomb, or Melipona honey) with sterile saline drops and applying the mixture topically in your eyes or on your skin.

Keratoconjunctivitis

Keratoconjunctivitis refers to an inflammatory process that involves both the conjunctiva and the superficial cornea. It can occur in association with viral, bacterial, autoimmune, toxic, and allergic etiologies. This activity outlines the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of keratoconjunctivitis.

The conjunctiva is a transparent, thin, mucous membrane that covers the sclera. It extends from the limbus (the perimeter of the cornea) and covers both the sclera (known as bulbar conjunctiva) and posterior surface of the eyelids (known as palpebral conjunctiva). Keratoconjunctivitis refers to an inflammatory process that involves both the conjunctiva – conjunctivitis – and the superficial cornea – keratitis – which can occur in association with viral, bacterial, autoimmune, toxic, and allergic etiologies.[1] While there is an expansive list of causes of conjunctivitis and keratitis, this review will focus on more well-known entities causing combined keratoconjunctivitis. Specifically, this article will discuss the entities known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

In one studyTrusted Source involving 60 participants, artificial tears containing honey were found to be an effective treatment for keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the cornea due to dryness).

This chronic condition tends to appear with the onset of seasonal allergies.

Corneal ulcers

A corneal ulcer is a defect in the surface epithelium of the cornea that involves the underlying stroma. It is common in contact lens wearers and presents as eye pain, blurry vision, and photophobia. This activity illustrates the evaluation and management of corneal ulcer and explains the role of the interprofessional team in improving care for patients with this condition.

A corneal ulcer, a defect of the corneal epithelium involving the underlying stroma, is a potentially vision-threatening ocular emergency.[1] Even with prompt treatment patients can suffer significant morbidity with complications including corneal scarring or perforation, development of glaucoma, cataracts or anterior and posterior synechiae, and vision loss. Untreated bacterial keratitis may result in endophthalmitis and subsequent loss of the eye.[2] The annual incidence of corneal ulcers in the United States alone is estimated to be between 30000 and 75000, and approximately 12.2% of all corneal transplants performed are for management of infectious keratitis.[3][4] It is therefore essential that this condition is rapidly recognized so that prompt treatment can initiate and an urgent or emergent ophthalmologic evaluation arranged. 

Corneal ulcers are sores on the surface of your eye’s outer layer. Honey can fight infections that might be causing the sore, as well as accelerate the healing of the ulcers themselves.

The wound-healing properties of melipona honey, as well as its antimicrobial effects, make it uniquely suited to treat these kinds of ulcers.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a common eye condition that makes your eyelids red, swollen, irritated, and itchy. It can cause crusty dandruff-like flakes on your eyelashes.  

Blepharitis can be uncomfortable. But it isn’t contagious, and it usually doesn’t cause any lasting damage to your eyes.

The main treatment for blepharitis is regularly cleaning your eyelids and keeping them free of crusts. Blepharitis usually doesn’t go away completely, but you can take steps to manage your symptoms. Talk to your eye doctor about what’s causing your blepharitis and the best ways to manage it.

Common symptoms of blepharitis are:

• Feeling like there’s something in your eye
• Burning or stinging eyes
• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Red and swollen eyes or eyelids
• Tears that are foamy or have small bubbles in them
• Dry eyes
• Crusty eyelids or eyelashes when you wake up

Blepharitis can also cause more serious problems like:

• Blurry vision
• Eyelashes that fall out
• Eyelashes that grow in the wrong direction
• Swelling of other parts of the eye, like the cornea

Blepharitis is a condition that causes swelling and burning around your eyelash line. One studyTrusted Source tested six rabbits with blepharitis to identify the potential of Manuka honey as a treatment for blepharitis.

Though we still need human trials, Melipona honey appeared to be more effective than commercial-grade honey or no treatment for getting rid of blepharitis.

Dry eyes

Many people get dry eyes. It's not usually serious and there are things you can do to help.

You may have dry eyes if your eyes are:

• itchy
• sore
• gritty
• red
• blurry
• sensitive to light
• more watery than normal

Causes of dry eyes

You may be more likely to get dry eyes if:

• you're over the age of 50
• you wear contact lenses
• you look at computer screens for a long time without a break
• you spend time in air conditioned or heated environments
• it's windy, cold, dry or dusty
• you smoke or drink alcohol
• you take certain medicines (for example, some antidepressants or blood pressure drugs)

How to treat dry eyes yourself

Do

DDo

• keep your eyes clean
• take breaks to rest your eyes when using a computer screen
• make sure your computer screen is at eye level so you do not strain your eyes
• use a humidifier to stop the air getting dry
• get plenty of sleep to rest your eyes
• if you wear contact lenses, take them out and wear glasses to rest your eyes
• try Melipona honey 100% natural

Don´t

• do not smoke or drink too much alcohol
• do not spend too long in smoky, dry or dusty places
• do not spend too long in air conditioned or heated rooms
• do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without getting medical advice first – even if you think it's causing your symptoms

Dry eye happens when the tear glands that lubricate your eyes are not producing enough tears. While it’s possible to treat chronic dry eye with artificial tears, there has never been a proposed way to cure it completely.

 In a study of 114 people, honey treatments were found to decrease redness and discomfort in people with chronic dry eye.

Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they're more visible. This is what causes the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink.

Pink eye is commonly caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct.

Though pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects your vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort of pink eye. Because pink eye can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread.

Causes

The most common causes of conjunctivitis (pink eye) are

• viruses
• bacteria
• allergens

Other causes include

• chemicals
• contact lens wear
• foreign bodies in the eye (like a loose eyelash)
• indoor and outdoor air pollution caused, for example, by smoke, dust, fumes, or chemical vapors
• fungi
• ameba and parasites

It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of conjunctivitis because some symptoms may be the same no matter the cause.

Viral Conjunctivitis

• Infection of the eye caused by a virus
• Can be caused by a number of different viruses, such as adenoviruses
• Very contagious
• Sometimes can result in large outbreaks depending on the virus

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

• Infection of the eye caused by certain bacteria
• Can be caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, or, less commonly, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Can be spread easily, especially with certain bacteria and in certain settings
• Children with conjunctivitis without fever or behavioral changes can usually continue going to school
• More common in kids than adults
• Observed more frequently December through April

Allergic Conjunctivitis

• The result of the body’s reaction to allergens, such as pollen from trees, plants, grasses, and weeds; dust mites; molds; dander from pets; medicines; or cosmetics
• Not contagious
• Occurs more frequently among people with other allergic conditions, such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema
• Can occur seasonally, when allergens such as pollen counts, are high
• Can also occur year-round due to indoor allergens, such as dust mites and animal dander

Conjunctivitis Caused by Irritants

• Caused by irritation from a foreign body in the eye or contact with smoke, dust, fumes, or chemicals
• Not contagious
• Can occur when contact lenses are worn longer than recommended or not cleaned properly

The antimicrobial properties of honey can fight a bacterial eye infection, stop it from spreading, and reduce redness, and speed healing. An older study done in 2004 analyzed honey’s antimicrobial effects against different kinds of bacteria, and demonstrated how well it can work against conjunctivitis in particular.

Topically applied honey can reduce inflammation and irritation in your eye. It can also kill harmful bacteria that could be causing an eye infection. Some people even use honey to try to gradually change the color of their eyes, although there isn't any research to prove that it works.