Highlighting Ayurvedic practices and treatments to maintain and improve eyesight.

Our eyes are an important part of our body. Better eye vision is one of the wonderful senses that can be easily connected with the emotions of surroundings. Hence, it is an obvious task to protect your eyes from developing various eye disorders and thereby reduce the odds of blindness or low vision.

The eye is a delicate sense organ with a large and moist area exposed to the environment that makes it more susceptible to air pollution and other external changes than other parts of the body.

Eyes – An Ayurvedic perspective:

Amongst five sense organs, Ayurveda had given prime importance to eyes. It says “Sarvendriyaanam Nayanam Pradhanam”. In the modern era, a faulty lifestyle has resulted in many eye disorders like Dry eye, Computer vision syndrome etc.

Avoiding these lifestyle disorders, prevention of eye disorders and preservation of ocular health has become essential because good vision is necessary for social and intellectual development of humans. But unlikely the preventive aspects of eye health and diseases related to the eye have not been given due importance in our day-to-day life.

The eyes primarily embody the pitta dosha and agni mahabhoot, while other mahabhoot and doshas have a lesser influence. The imbalance of doshas results in several ailments that cause eye strain, irritation, inflammation, and dryness.

For preventing these eye disorders and for maintaining eye health much more has been described in Ayurvedic texts in the form of Dincharya (Daily regimen), Ritucharya, Sadvritta, Swasthavritta and Chakshyusya Rasayana. Many tested procedures like Anjana (Collyrium), Netraprakshalana (Eye wash), Snana (Bath), Padabhyanga (Foot massage with oil) are highly effective daily procedures for the prevention of eye disorders and maintenance of good eye health. Various Yogasana, Pranayama, Neti and Trataka are also considered beneficial for eye health.

Root causes related to eye disorders:

Our eyes are being used more than ever, especially with the increased use of mobile and laptop screens in the last few decades. This excess use is creating various signs of eye stress in the form of headaches, burning or dry eyes, dark circles, and vision related issues.

• Improper Nutrition:

Amidst the fast-paced lives we lead today, often, we forget to pay attention to nutrition. As a result, our body suffers immediately or in the long run.

Good eye health requires balanced nutrition, comprising vitamins A, E, C, B and proteins.

• Infections:

Dust particles and other pollutants can give rise to various infections and allergies. Therefore, whenever you step out in dusty and windy areas, it’s advisable to wear glasses to protect your eyes against dirt.

• Unprotected Screen Exposure:

As working professionals and students, we are often exposed to blue screens for prolonged hours. While this is crucial, to keep our work going, it adversely affects our eyesight.

• Ageing:

This is a factor that can’t be neglected. As we grow old, our bodies may experience a lack of eye strength and worsening eyesight. While ageing is inevitable, a proper diet and regular exercise can help keep eye care concerns at bay.

Benefits of Ayurvedic treatment for Eyes:

• Improves vision: Ayurveda can help to improve vision by strengthening the eye muscles and enhancing blood circulation to the eyes.
• Prevents eye diseases: Ayurvedic remedies and treatments can help to prevent eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
• Relieves eye strain: Ayurveda can help to relieve eye strain caused by prolonged screen time or reading.
• Soothes dry eyes: Ayurvedic treatments can help to soothe dry eyes by moisturizing the eyes and reducing inflammation.
• Reduces eye redness and itching: This traditional system can help to reduce eye redness and itching caused by allergies or other eye conditions.
• Strengthens eye muscles: Ayurvedic treatments can help to strengthen the eye muscles, which can improve eye coordination and prevent conditions such as lazy eye or strabismus.

Ayurvedic practices and treatments to maintain and improve eyesight:

Ayurvedic treatment for eyes has been used for centuries to improve eye health, prevent eye diseases, and treat various eye conditions. Here are some of the potential benefits of Ayurvedic treatment for eyes:

• Netra Tarpana: This treatment involves pouring medicated ghee on the eyes, which helps to lubricate and nourish the eyes. It is useful for dry eyes, tired eyes, and other eye problems.
• Nasya: Nasya involves administering medicated oil drops in the nostrils, which helps to improve vision and reduce eye strain.

• Triphala Eye Wash: Triphala is a mixture of three herbs that are beneficial for the eyes. It can be used as an eye wash to reduce inflammation, irritation, and redness in the eyes.
• Anjana: Anjana is an Ayurvedic eye ointment that is applied to the eyes to improve vision and relieve eye problems like conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eyes.
• Washing Routine: Ayurveda recommends maintaining a good washing routine of eyes. The routine involves washing your eyes with water as soon as you wake up while holding water in the mouth. The water should not be too hot or too cold. This routine is known to keep the eyes healthy.
• Panchakarma: Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic detoxification process that involves cleansing the body to remove toxins. It is helpful in treating eye problems caused by an excess of toxins in the body.
• Trataka: Trataka is a yogic practice that involves focusing the gaze on a particular point, such as a candle flame, in order to improve concentration and calm the mind. Trataka practice can improve blood circulation and eye strength. Regular practice of Trataka can eventually improve vision.
• Ayurvedic Diet: Eating a healthy Ayurvedic diet can improve eye health. Foods like leafy greens, carrots, and almonds are rich in nutrients that are beneficial for the eyes. These are some of the treatment methods in Ayurveda. However, patients with severe eyesight issues should always consult a practitioner before following any treatment methods.

According to Sarangadhra, vision starts to deteriorate in the sixth decade of life as a result of regular aging. According to contemporary medicine, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and age-related cataracts are diseases that develop as age increases and as a result of oxidative stress in their daily lives. To avoid these issues or delay the progression of ocular degeneration, Ayurveda recommends Chaksyushya Rasayan therapy, in which a person who eats a balanced diet and takes Triphala powder with honey and ghee every

Exercises for maintaining good eye health:

Palming: Sit comfortably and rub your palms together until they become warm. Close your eyes and place your warm palms over your eyes, making sure not to apply pressure on the eyes. Keep your eyes covered and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

• Eye rotations: Sit comfortably and look straight ahead. Slowly rotate your eyes in a circular motion, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. Repeat 5-10 times in each direction.
• Bhramari Pranayama: Bhramari Pranayama is a yoga breathing technique that involves deep breathing and humming. The humming sound is made in the throat, with the mouth closed. This practice is thought to reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration, and relieve tension in the body. Repeat for 5-10 breaths.
• Kapalbhati Pranayama: Sit comfortably and take a deep breath in. Exhale forcefully, pulling your navel towards your spine. Repeat for 5-10 breaths.

• Vajrasana: Sit on your heels with your knees and feet together. Keep your back straight and place your hands on your knees. Focus on a distant object and maintain the gaze for a few minutes.

These yoga asanas can help to improve blood circulation to the eyes, reduce eye strain, and improve vision. However, it’s important to approach the practice with caution and under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher, especially if you have any medical conditions.

Ayurveda adheres to diet regulations and lifestyle recommendations to counterbalance the excess heat and intensity that the eyes are experiencing with eye-related ailments. Hence, the Ayurveda eye detoxification program nourishes optic nerves that help to relieve eye strain and the deteriorating effects of prolonged exposure to digital screens. The time-tested scientific approach of Ayurveda corrects the normal flow of fluids, essential nutrients, and waste material in and out of the optic cells by eliminating toxins accumulated in the optic nerves.

The accumulation of cellular toxicity gained from a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and unhealthy nutrition leads to several eye disorders such as Dry eye syndrome, Burning in the eye, Vata diseases in the eyes, Curved eye, Conjunctivitis, Night blindness, Squinting, Myopia and Computer Vision Syndrome. The Ayurveda perspective of treating eye disorders restores the lost balance between these life-sustaining forces in a natural way.

Author: Dr. Gayatri Kulkarni – Mulye
MD ( Ayurved)
Special proficiency in Gynecological disorders and Infertility.
Practicing since 12 years at Orthoved hospital, Dombivli,