Ethnomedicinal Plants Used in the Management of Eye Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Traditional medical systems across the world have long employed plant-based remedies for the management of eye disorders. Ethnomedicinal knowledge plays a vital role in primary eye care. The present study compiles and analyses ethnomedicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of various eye problems through literature survey. A total of 30 common plant species belonging to diverse botanical families were documented in this communication. It was noticed that leaves, roots, fruits, flowers and bark were the most frequently utilized plant parts while decoctions, extracts, distillates, pastes and eye washes constituted the major preparation methods. Several remedies were applied topically as eye drops or washes whereas others were consumed orally or used as dietary supplements. The continued use of these remedies highlights their perceived therapeutic efficacy and cultural importance. However, scientific validation, standardization and safety assessment remain limited for many formulations. Therefore, the paper highlights the need for pharmacological and clinical investigations to validate traditional claims and to support the development of safe and plant-based ophthalmic therapeutics.