The eyes are our
windows to the world, in the sense they enable us to experience the beauty of
the nature or see our loved ones or help us navigate safe.

But the beautiful
and vital organ of the body is easily susceptible to ailments. According to a
World Health Organisation report, at least 2.2 billion people suffer from
eye-related ailments, of whom at least one billion have vision impairment that
could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.

The disease-causing
factors are many. It may be due to exposure to computers for long hours or the rising
air pollution in big cities and towns and the like. Internal factors such as
stress, strain, improper diet or habits such as smoking too can have adverse
effect on your sight.

A little bit of
care can go a long way in helping us maintain good vision. Ayurveda has a set
of eye-catching curing solutions.

‘Netrachikitsa’,
the treatment of eye disorder, forms a part of ‘Salakyatanthra’ which deals
with etiology, diagnosis and management of diseases affecting parts of body
above the neck.

In Ayurveda, any
disease reflects an imbalance in Dosha (humour) of the body. This is true of
eye diseases too. A physician attempts to bring about a proper balance of Pitta
Dosha through diet and regimen.

For instance, the
modern solution for refractive errors is a pair of powerful glasses. Ayurveda
tries to improve the focussing capacity of eyes from within instead of
temporary solutions.

Eyes can adjust
their focal length to view properly. Usually a problem occurs when the natural
function of eye muscles and retina is affected. With proper medication,
treatments and eye exercises, the spasm in the eye muscles is removed and they
are re-energised. The lens gradually regains natural convexity.

The treatment of
systematic diseases like diabetic retinopathy is another case in point. While
the allopathic solution is application of laser to the damaged cells, an
Ayurvedic physician tries to disable the environment conducive for organisms to
thrive.

Ayurvedic
treatments like ‘tarpanam’, ‘nasyam’, ‘takradhara’ and ‘netradhara’ re-establish
retinal nutrition, prevents growth of fragile vessels, reverses metabolic
changes manifested by diabetes, stops bleeding and the chances of recurrence
and thus improves quality of vision.

There are surgical
as well as non-surgical treatment procedures in Ayurveda. Procedures like
Chedana (excision), bhedana (incision and drainage), lekhana (scrapping),
Kuttan (pricking), aganikarma and ksherakarma (cauterization). Internal use of
Ayurvedic herbal preparations and ocular therapies like somsodhana (cleansing
process), samsamara (curative and palliative treatment) and parivarjana
(preventive treatment) too are put to use.

What damages eyes
of a normal person

There are certain
conditions that upset the Tridoshas, causing eye diseases. These include
exposure to excessive heat, cold or smoke; observing distant/ minute objects
for long periods, disturbed and improper sleep, long bouts of weeping, anger,
sorrow and exertion; trauma and infections.

Similarly reading
or writing in poor light for long periods can cause refractive error,
especially near sightedness. Many software professionals have the problem of
dry eyes. Staring at the screens for hours on will cut down the frequency you
blink and in-turn affects normal lubrication of the eye. Dry air-conditioned
interiors can add to your woes.

All foreign objects
including unhygienic water, sweat and dust are harmful to the eye. Sudden
changes in temperature, insomnia and habits like sleeping during the day can
cause dryness and exudation.

A common treatment
solution to most of the day-to-day ailments is applying ‘anjanam’
(collirium) once a week which will help in expelling accumulated foreign
objects in the eye. This should be followed by ‘naavanam’ (nasal drops),
gandoosham (gargling medicated decoctions or oil in the mouth), dhoomapaanam
(inhaling medicated smoke) and thaamboolacharvanam (betal chewing).

Do’s and Don’ts

-A diet high in
liquids and/or taking excessive intake of milk, tea or coffee at night. This
can cause abnormal pressure in the eyeball.

-The habit of
withholding natural urge to defecate or urinate can lead to Vata dosha, related
to refractive errors.

-Extreme emotions
and tension can affect functioning of optic nerves, veins, arteries and
lacrimal glands, leading to cataract and refractive errors.

-Excessive use of
alcohol can affect blood circulation in the eye.

-Eating too much of
sweet food can cause diabetic retinopathy.

Preventive measures

According to
Ayurveda, the best method of treatment is to avoid causative factors. A few
preventive measures are enlisted below:-

— Wash your eyes
with ‘thriphala kwatham’ (decoction of thriphala powder, made of Amalaki (emblica
officinalis), Bibhitaki (terminalia bellirica) and Hariyali (terminalia
chebula). To make this, add one teaspoon of thriphala powder to a glass of
clean water, keep it overnight, strain it in the morning and wash your eyes
with it.

— In case of dryness,
wash your eyes by using water boiled with fennel seeds. ( boil one cup of water
with about half teaspoon of fennel seeds).

— Washing the eyes
with a concoction prepared with coriander or applying a paste of babool leaves
over the eyes before going to sleep will help in reducing conjunctivitis.

— Applying oil on
the sole (Padabhyongam) can do wonders by inducing good sleep and strengthening
the eyes.

— Regular
application of medicated oil on the head before bath improves eyesight.

— Keeping a slice
of cucumber or potato over the eye for a few minutes can reduce tiredness.

— Taking in ghee
can improve vision in children.

— Professionals
spending long hours before computer should exercise eyes at frequent intervals.
This can be done by blinking several times, closing your eyes and rolling
eyeballs clockwise and anticlockwise. They can also splash water on their face
during breaks besides a few minutes of walk. Setting up antiglare screen on
monitors too will go a long way in protecting the eyes.

Ends