Woman Claims She Used 'Urine' To Cure Eye Issues; Experts Disagree

Social media is a treasure trove of advice and hacks for virtually every aspect of life. While some are backed by evidence and experience, others can be misleading or even harmful. It can be challenging to discern which advice to trust, as the line between helpful tips and dangerous misinformation can be blurred. Recently, a TikTok user known as Suma Frale, who describes herself as an ‘assistant metaphysical counsellor,’ made waves with her unconventional “health tip: using urine as eye drops.”

Frale made a claim, asserting that applying “urine as eye drops cured her myopia and poor eyesight.” She claimed to have diligently used “urine drops daily until her eyesight remarkably improved.” Her assertion is rooted in “urine therapy”, an alternative medicine practice popularised by British naturopath John W. Armstrong in the early 20th century. Urine therapy proponents advocate for its usage in a variety of medical and cosmetic applications, such as skin massage, gum treatment and even consumption. However, Frale’s motivation elevates the idea to new levels.

Frale describes the purported advantages of “urine drops” over conventional medications in a widely shared TikTok video. She talks about her personal experience and says that her astigmatism and myopia “disappeared” after she injected the urine into her eyes on a regular basis. She dismisses conventional drugs as hazardous chemicals and pushes for urine as a natural treatment. For maximum benefit, Frale recommended a urine drop routine for the morning and evening.

Despite a growing interest in urine therapy, no scientific evidence or research is supporting any beneficial claims of using human urine to improve eyesight.

A study published in the Pan African Medical Journal highlighted the historical use of urine in medicine, dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome. The study noted that in economically disadvantaged regions, where access to modern healthcare is limited, urine therapy is experiencing a resurgence. However, this resurgence has been associated with a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has cautioned against the use of urine therapy, noting that the small amounts of vitamins and minerals present in urine are not sufficient to provide any significant health benefits. Additionally, similar risks have been identified by the medical centre.

Dr Olivia Killeen, a clinical lecturer specializing in ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Michigan, has expressed concern over patients using urine as an eyewash. She, in conversation with USA Today, cited cases where individuals developed severe infections, including sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea or chlamydia, after applying urine to their eyes.