Ayurvedic remedies for common eye disorders
Eye is a complex sensory organ responsible for sight, capture’s the light and converting it into electrical impulses, which brain interprets as images.
Anatomy of eye:
The eyeball is 2 fingers in transverse diameter and about the breadth of one’s own thumb in depth (Sagitta diameter), and 2 finger’s and half in circumference. The eyeball is approximately spherical in shape and resembles the teat of cow.
Orbit – cavity of the skull in which the eye and it’s appendages are situated.
Eyeball – oblate spheroid in shape . Formed of 3 coats(fibrous coat, vascular coat, nervous coat).The appendages of eyeball are eyelids, conjunctiva , lacrimal apparatus.Contain the aqueous humour.
Eye lids – mobile tissue curtain placed in front of the eyeballs.Act as shutters protecting the eyes from injuries and excessive light.
Conjunctiva – thin, transparent tissue that cover’s the outer surface of the eye.It joins eyeball to the lids.
Cornea – transparent, avascular, watch glass like structure.
Sclera – commonly known as the white of the eye. Tough , opaque tissue that serves as the eye’s protective outer coat.
Iris – thin circular disc corresponding to the diaphragm of a camera.Lies between cornea and lens immersed in aqueous fluid.
Ciliary body – forward continuation of choroid.
Choroid – thin , highly vascular pigmented layer.
Crystalline lens – transparent, biconvex, avascular , crystalline structure.
Retina – innermost tunic of the eyeball .Highly developed tissue of the eye.Consist of 10 layers.
According to Ayurveda there are 94 diseases which occurs to the eyes(based on Ashtanga Hridaya ).
Some common disorders and their remedies:
• Dry eye – dryness of the eyes, burning sensation, irritation.
Tarpana with jivaniya gana dravya siddha ghee .
Nasya with Anu thaila.
Anjana with pounded sunthi and devadaru in equal quantity mixed with juice of pomegranate and breast milk.
• Red eye(conjunctivitis) – redness of the eyes, burning sensation, feeling of hot fumes.
Intake of thiktaka grita
Virechana with avipathi choorna
Blood letting by leech
Aschyotana with pounded yashtimadhu and lodhra with ghee.
• Watering of eyes – caused by either an excess production of tears or inadequate drainage from the eyes, leading to overflow.
Seka with thriphala kashaya
Anjana with thriphaladi varti
Anjana with pounded punarnava moola and haridra with water.
• Stye – pain and inflammation in one or more localised region near the eyelid margin.
Pratisarana with fine powder of rock salt
Parisheka with decoction of yashtimadhu, amalaki and patola
• Cataract – cloudiness of the eyes.
Consume thriphala daily
Intake of jivantyadi gritha
• Glaucoma – loss of side vision.
Intake of purana gritha
Virechana with ghee processed with trivrit.
Prevention of eye disorders:
• Proper diet
Eat raw carrot , spinach, greeny leaves ,milk .
Eat 1 gooseberry daily.
Drink plenty of water.
Reduce intake of coffee.
Eat salmon , mackerel, sardines.
• Avoid direct exposure to sunlight.Use sunglasses.
• Proper sleep
Follow a sleep pattern.
Avoid late night sleeping.
Reduce screen time before sleep.
• Avoid smoking.
• Use of plain glasses while using screen.
• Follow 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 min take a 20 sec break and look over an object 20 feet away.
• Wash eyes with cold water
• Exercises to improve vision
Palming – rub your palms together to create a warmth and cup them gently over the closed eyes.
Focus shifting – hold a finger near your face focus on it, then while focusing slowly move it away.
Eye rolling – gently rotate your eyes in clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Blinking – blink your eyes for atleast 10 times.
Trataka – sit comfortably and place a flaming candle at the eye level, about an arm length away. Focus on it without blinking.when your eyes starts to water close your eyes gently . Try to visualise the image on mind. After it fades open your eyes slowly.
Bhramari pranayama – sit comfortably and gently close your eyes.keep your index finger above eyebrow, cover ears with thumb , middle finger over nose, ring finger above the lips and little finger below the lips.Inhale deeply and exhale while making a bee sound.
Balasana – sit in vajrasana ( kneeling position).inhale and raise your hands. Then exhale and bend forward.
• Every 1 year do regular eye checkups.
In case of glaucoma it’s unsymptomatic .Thus it’s early detection is only possible through proper eye checkups.
