Why Breastmilk, Cow Urine, and Onion Juice Should Never Touch Your Child’s Eyes

Seasoned eye care professionals have cautioned Nigerian mothers against the widespread traditional practice of applying breastmilk to their children’s eyes to treat conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as “Apollo.”

Consultant ophthalmologists speaking to PUNCH Healthwise strongly condemned the practice, explaining that breastmilk contains lactose—a natural sugar—that feeds the microorganisms responsible for conjunctivitis, allowing them to multiply and intensify the infection.

Dr. Kareem Musa, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, warned that using substances like breastmilk, cow urine, or onion juice in the eyes can worsen conditions and even cause permanent damage.

“Breastmilk is rich in sugar, which nourishes harmful organisms in the eye. Instead of healing, it actually makes the infection worse,” he said, adding that such harmful traditional practices continue to cause excessive eye discharge, redness, and even vision loss in children.

A study titled Harmful Traditional Eye Practices in Nigeria and Its Burden on Eye Care highlights the ongoing prevalence of blindness and visual impairment caused by the use of unorthodox eye treatments in the country.

Dr. Ismail Lawal, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi, echoed the warning, noting that even commonly believed “safe” remedies such as olive oil or eye shadows can be dangerous when applied to the eye.

“Traditional substances—urine, cow urine, breastmilk—are all harmful to the eyes. The only thing that should go into a child’s eyes are medications prescribed by certified ophthalmologists,” he stated.

The doctors also urged parents and caregivers to avoid consulting unqualified practitioners, as wrong prescriptions—especially those containing steroids—could further damage children’s eyes.

Both experts stressed the importance of seeking professional medical attention for any eye condition, warning that harmful eye practices remain a significant contributor to childhood vision loss in Nigeria.