What is manuka honey?

Manuka honey is a kind of honey produced only in Australia and New Zealand, from the pollen of the manuka flower, unlike most honey which is made from the pollen of many different plants. In Australia, the plant may also be referred to as the tea tree. Manuka honey has many medicinal properties which can be used to support your health in different ways, such as wound healing, oral health, easing sore throats, and supporting ulcers (Healthline, 2023). Though manuka honey can have some medicinal properties, it should not be used as an alternative to medical treatment. Rather, it can be used to complement other treatments and medications as recommended by your health care professional.

Manuka honey and your eyes

Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, manuka honey has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of dry eye (Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 2022). Special eye gels and drops are available over the counter from pharmacists and can provide relief from dry, sore, inflamed or irritated eyes. This is because some dry eye conditions can be caused by a build up of bacteria on the eyes, which manuka honey can kill (Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 2022). There is also some research suggesting manuka honey may be effective to support the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and some bacterial forms of conjunctivitis (Rashid et al., 2022).

Manuka honey eye drops tend to be a lower concentration of honey and are more suited to mild and moderate cases of dry eye. Manuka honey eye gel is thicker and usually applied at night. It has a higher concentration of manuka honey, so it can be useful for more severe cases of dry eye.

Important reminder

Manuka honey should never be applied directly to the eyes. Always use pharmaceutical eye drops and gels which contain manuka honey instead.

You should always follow the treatment plan of your eye or health care professional first and use manuka honey eye drops as supplementary, rather than a cure for any of these conditions.

Do manuka eye drops or gels have side effects?

Lasting side effects are rare, though there are some reports of mild ones linked to the use of manuka eye drops or gels (MedX, 2025). However, some people do report initial stinging and redness when applying the drops, though these symptoms are usually mild and are not permanent. If the stinging or irritation becomes prolonged or severe, discontinue use and speak to your eye care professional (MedX, 2025).

If you are allergic to honey or bees, manuka eye drops and gel can also cause allergic reactions. Talk to your eye care professional about alternative products.

For more information

• Speak to your eye care professional to see if manuka eye drops may be right for you.
• Read our article on dry eyes to learn more about its causes.