Cataracts, Glaucoma and Colloidal Silver (June 17, 2015)

Cataracts, Glaucoma and Colloidal Silver

Some people claim that colloidal silver can be used safely in the eyes to help relieve the effects of cataracts and/or glaucoma. But as is all too often the case with colloidal silver, there’s very little clinical research to back up this claim.

And of course, the use of silver in the eyes is also quite controversial, though anecdotal reports demonstrate that thousands of people have used colloidal silver in the eyes for relief from itching and even eye infections such as sties or Pink Eye.

So what’s the truth? What do we know so far about the use of colloidal silver in the eyes for cataracts and/or glaucoma? Unfortunately, information on this topic is sketchy at best. Here’s the bottom line…

Hi, Steve Barwick here, for The Silver Edge…

In his bestselling book, The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health, Dr. Robert O. Young, Ph.D. says on page 178:

“Eye or ear problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, redness, blurred vision, poor eyesight, ringing in the ears, earaches, soreness or swelling of the ears, eardrum damage, hardness of hearing, and (in rare cases) loss of hearing: Use 1 drop of colloidal silver topically (directly in the eye or ear) 3 times a day.”

I find that quite interesting. But unfortunately, I’ve never seen a single clinical report or study demonstrating colloidal silver to be effective against glaucoma or cataracts.

Nor have I seen any clinical study demonstrating the safety of using colloidal silver in the eyes, even though there are hundreds of online anecdotal reports from people who have used small amounts of colloidal silver in their eyes for short periods of time to help alleviate eye infections.

You have to keep in mind that antimicrobial silver in any form is known chiefly for killing microbes, not dissolving cataracts or reducing eye pressure.

For the other side of the spectrum, here’s what Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D. had to say about using colloidal silver in the eyes, in a recent article on colloidal silver:

“I find it difficult to form an opinion on colloidal silver and I do not claim to be an expert on this topic.

I have come across several people who swear that colloidal silver – when used as eye drops 1-2 drops 3 to 4 times a day– quickly healed their conjunctivitis or sty, or reduced the severity of pharyngitis when gargled in water.

Perhaps colloidal silver is effective against viruses and some bacteria. So, considering all factors, if I were to make a decision, I would say colloidal silver is worth a try for a few days in cases of conjunctivitis or sty or perhaps other mild infections, but it should not be used for longer than one week at a time.

Its use should be done under medical supervision by a health care provider who is familiar with its properties. I, personally, have not used it with patients.”

Finally, according to the authors of the clinical study “Exposure-Related Health Effects of Silver and Silver Compounds: A Review”:

“If fine particles of silver are rubbed into the eyes (i.e. in occupational settings), localized argyrosis may develop over time (Moss et al., 1979; Breitstadt, 1995).”

This means that workers who are exposed to silver dust on a regular basis, and who rub their eyes so that the silver particles are forced into the soft tissue of the eyes, “may” end up developing accumulation of silver in the eyes (i.e., argyrosis) “over time.”

While that’s not at all the same as applying liquid colloidal silver to the eyes, it’s close enough in my book to warrant caution about the over-use of silver (of any kind) in the eyes.

So as you can see, in general, there’s controversy and differences of opinion between various experts on the use of colloidal silver in the eyes.

Some experts like Dr. Robert O. Young, Ph.D. advocate for the use of colloidal silver in the eyes for a variety of eye conditions including cataracts and glaucoma, while some like Dr. Sahelian, M.D. are tentative and say only use it for short periods of time, and some clinical researchers seem to eschew the idea of using silver in the eyes altogether due to potential risks of silver buildup.

It’s also important to note that the FDA says colloidal silver can only be used as an orally ingested mineral supplement and is not to be used for medical purposes of any kind.

Therefore, nothing in this article should be taken as “prescriptive” in nature. As a natural health journalist, I’m just reporting on what I’ve learned in the course of my research for my 547-page book, The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual, and in what I’ve learned from my own personal experiences with colloidal silver, and in interviewing literally thousands of colloidal silver users over the past 20 years.

An Interesting Anecdotal Report

We did have one lady on the Colloidal Silver Secrets Group on Facebook who said her cataracts appeared to be “dissolving” after she started using colloidal silver in the eyes. Here’s a partial transcript of the online conversation with here:

Facebook member:

“Interesting thing, I had a retinal detachment in May of this year and had surgery. My surgeon said that I would probably develop cataracts in that eye and need cataract surgery.

Unfortunately, I started to develop a small cataract which was getting increasingly bothersome. I knew he would recommend surgery when I go to see him again this spring.

However, since I began taking the silver orally, I believe my cataract may be clearing up. So I googled ‘colloidal silver and cataract’ and came up, yet again, to your website! I am blown away and had no idea that colloidal silver could clear cataracts.

However, since I began taking the silver orally, I believe my cataract may be clearing up…I am blown away and had no idea that colloidal silver could clear cataracts.

I have been praying to avoid another eye surgery. And since my eye surgery, I am terrified to put anything directly into my eye, even silver (although I have done it in the past, before the surgery).

Do you think if I continue to take colloidal silver orally that it will have enough power to clear my cataract totally? Many thanks!”

Steve:

“To be completely frank with you, the information on our web site about colloidal silver and cataracts is a quote from Dr. Robert O. Young’s bestselling book, The pH Miracle,” and this book is the only published resource in the world I’ve seen that recommends using colloidal silver for cataracts.

Dr. Young does not explain the mechanism through which he believes colloidal silver could help cataracts. I personally don’t understand his reasoning, unless he believes there is an underlying infection of the eye that allows cataracts to form.

In such a case, the silver would destroy the infectious agent, and then I suppose the cataract formation would stop.

But…I’ve seen no clinical studies to justify this supposition. So, I’m not disagreeing with Dr. Young. I’m just still trying to find a “second witness,” so to speak, to his contentions.

Facebook member (a week later):

“Well, I don’t know how it works either, but it apparently does, because my cataract is now almost completely gone.

Granted, it was small to begin with, but it was growing and becoming increasingly annoying.

I only detect a very…small piece of it when I close my eyes now…of course, I will have to see what my doc says in the spring, but I am hoping that my daily dose will keep whatever was developing there at bay.”

As you can see, she was going to follow up with us after her appointment with her eye doctor.

But she never followed up with additional posts, so I don’t know if the apparent reduction in the size of her cataract (which she attributed to oral colloidal silver usage) was merely in her imagination or not. And anecdotal reports like that most definitely do not constitute proof of effectiveness, even if she had followed up with us.

More Anecdotal Reports

There are a few additional anecdotal accounts on the internet offering supportive information to the contention that colloidal silver can be helpful against cataract development, including this one in which a dog was supposedly cured of cataracts.

Here’s what the anecdotal post states:

“I recently rescued a pekingese dog who was tied up outside the pound hours before it opened. It looked like someone had dropped it off to be killed…because I’m not sure who would have adopted it.

The dog’s eyes were covered with cataracts. One eye was more severe than the other. I wish I had taken photo because one eye was almost completely white.

I had not read anything about Colloidal Silver and cataracts at that time, but I started putting Colloidal Silver into the dog’s eyes on the first day. I saw immediate improvement. I couldn’t believe it.

The cataracts looked like they were dissolving. The dog was mild mannered at the time. We thought he must be pretty old by his actions and cataracts.

However, like the original post said, the dog’s personality has changed and he acts like a very energetic puppy. I suppose it must be exciting to see again.

One eye looks completely normal and the really bad eye may need about 2 more weeks of treatment…but looks normal in regular lighting.

I have only had the dog for about 10 days. We had him groomed and his eyes are almost healed. He should be adoptable very soon.

I just started researching colloidal silver and cataracts tonight. I wanted to post this testimony in case others are searching too.”

While the above account is fascinating, there’s no information on how the individual who wrote it knew the dog’s eye problems were actually caused by cataracts.

Was the individual a trained veterinarian or ophthalmologist? That does not appear to be the case. So it may have been something completely different from cataracts, for example, a form of infection called interstitial keratitis, which is defined on WebMD.com as follows:

“Interstitial keratitis (blue eye) is a corneal inflammation in which a bluish-white film appears over the clear window of the eye.

It is caused by the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis, and at one time it occurred after vaccination with CAV-1 (vaccines with this version of the hepatitis virus are no longer used).

Signs appear 10 days after exposure. The eyes begin to water and the dog squints and avoids light. Most dogs recover completely within a few weeks. In some cases the eye remains permanently clouded.”

If it was interstitial keratitis (which is caused by a virus) rather than cataracts (which are not generally thought to have an underlying infectious basis), that might explain why colloidal silver appeared to be helpful. After all, colloidal silver has been demonstrated to be effective against a number of different viruses.

Indeed, I’ve heard of a similar anecdotal case from a reader who had a horse that had acquired what equestrians call “moon blindness.” Here’s what he wrote to me:

“I started reading about colloidal silver when my horse acquired moon blindness. The vet said there was no cure and she would probably eventually lose both eyes.

I couldn’t accept it so I went looking for a cure. I suspected the mare had some auto immune issues and I read the people had used colloidal silver for this.

I first purchased colloidal silver from an individual that made it. The eye went from being blue and nasty (she couldn’t see out of it) to eventually becoming clear.”

Now “moon blindness,” which also results in what appears to be a cloudiness of the eyes, is widely thought to be caused by an infection of the eye with a spiral-shaped bacteria (spirochete) called Leptospira.

So once again, in this particular anecdotal account, it appears colloidal silver was able to eradicate a pathogen that was the underlying cause of the eye disease, and thus the horse’s eyesight was restored.

Of course, my position is that when it comes to your eyes, if you choose to experiment with colloidal silver you should always tell you doctor what you’re doing so he can advise you and monitor your situation carefully. That way, you’ll know for sure if colloidal silver is helping, not helping, or even hindering your situation.

And of course, never overdo it.

While there are numerous anecdotal accounts of colloidal silver being successfully used in the eyes, safely and effectively, for short periods of time (generally to alleviate eye infections or help stop itching, burning or inflammation from eye allergies), many experts warn that colloidal silver should not be used on a regular daily basis in the eyes, because there are no long-term safety studies demonstrating whether or not it’s safe to do so.

Using Colloidal Silver in the Eyes

Based on anecdotal accounts I’ve seen online, there are a number of ways to use colloidal silver in the eyes:

Most people simply put one or two drops into their eyes at a time, and simply roll their eyes around to spread the liquid colloidal silver evenly.

Others used a pump spray bottle with a very fine mist to lightly spray a bit of colloidal silver into their eyes – this is known as “misting” the eyes with colloidal silver.

Some used colloidal silver in a shot glass as an eyewash when they have eye irritations or eye infections such as Pink Eye or sties.

And some people say they simply soak a cloth in colloidal silver and hold it over their affected eye, for excellent results.

When used in the eyes, silver is very powerful, and based on the anecdotal accounts, a little bit appears to go a long way.

For additional strictly anecdotal information on using colloidal silver in the eyes, see also the short article “Using Colloidal Silver to Heal Eye Infections.”

Also, you might want to see the short video at this link demonstrating how I’ve used colloidal silver in my own eyes from time-to-time in the past, in order to help heal sties or eye infections such as Pink Eye.

Researchers:
Silver Is A ‘Trove of Retinal Therapies’

Finally, it’s important to note that some clinical researchers are claiming that silver offers eye specialists a “trove for retinal therapies” and “a boon to ocular therapies.”

In other words, in spite of all of the warnings to the contrary, ophthalmic researchers are finding more and more ways silver can be used to help heal the eyes, especially in cases of failing eyesight due to diabetic retinopathy.

You can read what clinical researchers are telling eye specialists about the benefits of using silver for certain eye conditions, in the clinical overview at this link. According to the researchers behind this study:

“Silver has been a metal that came into use even before Neolithic revolution. Even the Greeks used it for cooking and to keep water safe.

The first recorded medicinal use of silver was reported during 8th century [83]. Silver powder was believed by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, to have beneficial healing properties and listed as a treatment for ulcers.

Earlier, in the 19th century, microbial infections were treated with 0.5% AgNO3 like ophthalmic neonatorum (by German obstetrician Carl Creed), and for the prevention of infection in burns.

Prior to the introduction of the sulphadiazine cream, dilute solutions of silver nitrate were used to treat infections in the 19th century [84].

Silver-based antimicrobials can be effective in the treatment of infections on account the non-toxicity of active Ag+ to human cells [85]…

…Silver nanoparticles are better than conventional ophthalmic drug forms to enhance bioavailability without blurring the vision.

Nano enabled drug delivery has already been successful in delivering drugs to specific tissues within the body, and promises capabilities that will enhance drug penetration into cells, as well as other means to improve drug activity.

A very promising prospect of nanoparticles is its use in targeted drug delivery and also “multi-targeting”, which is essential in the case of several diseases.

Silver nanoparticles due to their potent characteristics such as anti-permeability, anti-tubules formation, anti-vasculature development, bear out them as an effective molecule in inhibiting angiogenesis and also capable of inducing apoptosis by altering the caspase-3 activity leading DNA fragmentation…

…Their targeting capability to the neovascularized cells through peptide targeting affirm them as a trove of nanomedicine that will certainly tribute to the development of therapeutic advances, serving as a fortunate to ocular therapies…

…Our studies on AgNPs [i.e., silver nanoparticles] effect over angiogenesis make a significant impact in treating common causes of blindness such as PDR and AMD.

Further studies on size controlled effect of silver nanoparticles and other down streaming pathways, by which they themselves act as a drug, by controlled release and targeting, will surely signify the role of AuNPs for effective and economic treatments in ocular therapies.”

In other words, in the cases of certain eye conditions such as those caused by diabetic retinopathy, which leads to blindness, silver is thought by the clinical researchers behind the above study to be a potentially significant advancement in treatment.

But again, that’s a preliminary study and, to date, there are still no long-term safety studies.

So I can’t emphasize enough that if you choose to use colloidal silver in your own eyes, this should not be a long-term daily practice, which would pretty much rule them out for use in self-treatment of cataracts and/or glaucoma.

Experimentation

What’s more, if you do choose to experiment in this manner, your eye doctor should be kept fully in the loop so he or she can monitor your eyes to make sure you’re not in any way harming them.

Keep in mind that in using colloidal silver in your eyes, you’re quite literally experimenting on your own eyes.

Again, there are zero safety studies on putting colloidal silver into the eyes. While there are hundreds or perhaps even thousands of anecdotal accounts from people who have used colloidal silver in their eyes from time-to-time when fighting an active eye infection, or when seeking relief from “itchy eyes” caused by allergies or other conditions, these do not prove that colloidal silver would be safe for long-term use in the eyes.

What’s more, I’ve seen several warnings from clinical researchers who claim that overuse of silver in the eyes can result in accumulation of silver particles and, over the long-term, potential vision restriction.

As is typically the case with these often shrill warnings, no documentation for the claim that colloidal silver can accumulate in the eyes if overused in the eyes is available.

But because colloidal silver when taken orally in great excess over long periods of time has been shown to accumulate in the body (see this article), and when used daily in the lungs over long periods of time has been shown to accumulate in lung tissues (see this article), it only follows that excessive daily long-term use of colloidal silver in the eyes could also result in accumulation of silver particles in the eyes.

And always remember, they’re your eyes. They’re all you have to see. And typically you only get one chance with them.

So a word to the wise should be sufficient: Using colloidal silver in the eyes on a regular basis for things like cataracts or glaucoma is definitely highly experimental in nature, and potentially risky.

There are zero safety studies. And there are plenty of potential risks from long-term daily use of silver in the eyes. And anyone who says otherwise is simply not telling you the truth.

While many so-called colloidal silver “gurus” point to the fact that a silver compound is often used by doctors in the eyes of newborn babies to help stop eye infections from pathogens in the birth canal tract that can lead to blindness, it’s important to note that this is a one-time usage. It’s not a constant, ongoing usage of silver in the eyes for something like cataracts or glaucoma.

I know this is not what some people want to hear. But as a natural health journalist (and author of The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual) who’s been a long-time user of colloidal silver (20 years of almost daily, regular oral use, with occasional use in the eyes, ears, nose and on the skin), it’s my duty to relate the facts to you as accurately as I can.

And those are the facts as I presently understand them regarding the use of colloidal silver in the eyes for conditions like cataracts or glaucoma.

Learn More About Colloidal Silver

If you’re new to colloidal silver and are wondering what it’s used for, where to obtain it and how to use it, here are some resources you might want to look into:

First, consider reading the short article “A Colloidal Silver Primer,” at this link. It will give you a good, short overview of how colloidal silver works, what it’s used for, and why.

For tons of free information on using colloidal silver, you might want to read some of the nearly 100 in-depth articles at this link.

And one of the fastest and easiest ways to learn about the different health issues colloidal silver is routinely used for – and to learn how others use it successfully for different conditions – is to read through the detailed, real-life colloidal silver success stories at this link.

Where to Find Colloidal Silver

You can purchase colloidal silver at just about any well-stocked health food store in the country. Or, if you prefer to shop online, just go to any of the big online natural health vendors like SwansonVitamins.com or iHerb.com and they have it for sale. Colloidal silver is also widely available on Amazon.com.

One of my favorite commercial brand of colloidal silver is Sovereign Silver, which you can find on Amazon.com, or on numerous online natural health stores such as those mentioned above. Another great brand is ASAP Colloidal Silver, which has reams of clinical studies behind it and is also available at the above-mentioned online sources.

You can download a copy of the Colloidal Silver Safe Dosage Report (FREE by email) at this link. This report helps you calculate your maximum safe daily oral dosage based on your body weight and the ppm (or concentration) of colloidal silver you’re using.

Make Your Own Colloidal Silver

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can learn about how easy and inexpensive it is to make your own high-quality colloidal silver for about a penny per ounce with a Micro-Particle Colloidal Silver Generator, here.

And at this link, you can see how incredibly simple it is to make your own colloidal silver. Indeed, if you can use a device as simple to use as a coffee pot, you’re pretty much qualified to make your own colloidal silver!

Finally, if you have questions about making and/or using colloidal silver, consider joining the Colloidal Silver Secrets Group on Facebook. There, you’ll find over 16,000 fellow colloidal silver users sharing their usage secrets and success stories as well as the latest news and information on the infection-fighting qualities of colloidal silver.

Meanwhile, I’ll be back next week with another insightful article on colloidal silver….

Yours for the safe, sane and responsible use of colloidal silver,
Steve Barwick Signature
Steve Barwick, author
The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual

Helpful Links:

FREE Colloidal Silver Safe Dosage Report
Colloidal Silver Secrets Group on Facebook
Make Your Own Colloidal Silver for Pennies
.999 Pure Silver Wire for Making Colloidal Silver
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Videos on Making and Using Colloidal Silver
Real-Life Colloidal Silver Success Stories
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Meet Steve Barwick

Important Note and Disclaimer: The contents of this Ezine have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information conveyed herein is from sources deemed to be accurate and reliable, but no guarantee can be made in regards to the accuracy and reliability thereof. The author, Steve Barwick, is a natural health journalist with over 30 years of experience writing professionally about natural health topics. He is not a doctor. Therefore, nothing stated in this Ezine should be construed as prescriptive in nature, nor is any part of this Ezine meant to be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing reported herein is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The author is simply reporting in journalistic fashion what he has learned during the past 17 years of journalistic research into colloidal silver and its usage. Therefore, the information and data presented should be considered for informational purposes only, and approached with caution. Readers should verify for themselves, and to their own satisfaction, from other knowledgeable sources such as their doctor, the accuracy and reliability of all reports, ideas, conclusions, comments and opinions stated herein. All important health care decisions should be made under the guidance and direction of a legitimate, knowledgeable and experienced health care professional. Readers are solely responsible for their choices. The author and publisher disclaim responsibility and/or liability for any loss or hardship that may be incurred as a result of the use or application of any information included in this Ezine.