Eye Care and Ayurveda: For Eye Health and Healthy Vision

Introduction to Eye Care and Eye Health

Ever wondered how it may feel to lose the ability to see?

Let's make the imagination easier:

Remember the times you played "blindfold" as a kid?

Or when you got inspired by a visually impaired movie character and tried walking with your eyes closed?

While small games in these scenarios don't pose actual harm to your vision, they may make you realise how crucial eye care is.

In this blog, we discuss eye care and eye health‌. You will read about the importance of eye care, Ayurvedic methods for eye care, causes of poor eyesight and more.

So, put on your reading glasses and read on.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Eyes

The Ayurvedic eye treatment takes a holistic approach to improve eyesight.

Ayurveda aims to manage health concerns from their root. While this may not show immediate results, the effects can be long-lasting and comprehensively rejuvenating.

Here are a few tips from Ayurveda for eyesight improvement.

1. Washing Routine

Ayurveda suggests maintaining an eyewash routine. When you wake up, wash your eyes with cool water while holding water in your mouth.

Ayurvedic wisdom also dismisses the use of too hot or too cold water for the eyes. Extreme conditions can always be harmful.

Maintaining this morning eye wash routine can help keep your eyes naturally healthy.

2. Practice Trataka

Stimulating your eyesight can improve blood circulation, eventually improving vision.

Trataka is an Ayurvedic eye health method in which we stare at a burning ghee lamp.

Take a ghee lamp with a cotton wick to practice this and light it up.

Now, shut all the lights inside your room, sit on the floor, fold your legs, place the ghee lamp on the floor and gaze at it. Place the lamp at a viewing angle of 30 degrees.

Practising this for ten minutes each day can help improve eye strength and lustre.

3. Ayurvedic Herbs

Several Ayurvedic herbs can help improve eye health.

For example, Amla, Punarnava, and Triphala can ‌be dramatically nourishing for eye health.

Wondering how to add these to your eye care routine?

Kerala Ayurveda's Triphala tablets are not only helpful to relieve constipation and gut health, it can also help you manage your eye care concerns.

Kerala Ayurveda Anu thailam is an Ayurvedic nasal drop that can help relieve allergies and sinusitis, but another surprising benefit of Anu thailam nasal drops is that it boosts eye health by balancing kapha dosha.

Importance of Eye Care

We discussed a few examples earlier to realise the importance of eye health and eye care. But that isn't a comprehensive explanation. This section sheds light on why eye care is utterly crucial and why we can't overlook it.

Primarily, the eye is one of the most vital organs of the human body. Our vision plays a crucial role in our social and intellectual development.Nearly 80% of the knowledge we gain is through our eyes only.

Apart from that, maintaining eye health is also crucial for a healthy brain. As our optic nerves connect the brain with our eyes, a healthy relationship is critical. Hence, if we keep our eyes healthy, we can also keep our brains healthy.

This helps us lead a healthy life.

Also, when our vision is healthy, we can be more athletic and fitter, can drive and travel with minor challenge, and our learning and comprehension abilities are also enhanced.

Hence, it's crucial to take care of your eye health. Speaking in that regard, to avoid eye health hazards, we must also know them.

The following section discusses some of the most common causes of eye care concerns. This will help us be cautious.

Causes of Poor Eyesight

Poor eyesight can crop up because of many factors. Here's a brief list of some common reasons to look out for.

1. 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.

Just as the name suggests, fast foods are a category of edibles that are readily available. However, saving a few minutes on availing a healthy meal may lead to health-related consequences - poor eyesight being one of them.

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

2. 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.

Similarly, one should wear a helmet with glass visors to cover the eyes while riding a two-wheeler.

Also, make sure not to touch your eyes with dirty hands. Hands can quickly transfer infectious germs to your eyes.

3. 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.

To slow down the damage rate, it's advisable to use protective eye care glasses while viewing screens, and every 20 minutes, take time out to look away from the screen for a minute or two.

4. 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.

Also, this can help slow down the natural damage process.

With ageing, one may have to face the following eye care issues:

• Presbyopia
• Glaucoma
• Dry eyes
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Temporal arteritis

Connect with your eye doctor and practice natural eye care cautions to keep these concerns at bay.

Ayurvedic tips to enhance Eye health

Regarding eyesight problems, Ayurveda for eyes provides a holistic approach that focuses on addressing the root cause for long-term benefits rather than just providing quick fixes. Though the results may not be instant, Ayurvedic eye treatments offer complete rejuvenation and restoration of eye health. Check out these Ayurvedic tips to maintain healthy eyes.

1. Start Your Day with Eye Wash - Ayurveda advises washing eyes with cold water every morning while holding water in your mouth. Avoid excessively hot or cold water, as it can damage your eyes. 
2. Trataka for improved vision - Trataka is a powerful Ayurvedic method that involves gazing at a burning ghee lamp. Sit in a dark room with the ghee lamp at a 30-degree viewing angle and stare at the flame for 10 minutes daily. This practice can stimulate blood circulation and improve eye strength and luster.
3. Ayurvedic Herbs for Eye Health - Amla, Punarnava, and Triphala are just a few of the Ayurvedic herbs that can significantly improve eye health. Kerala Ayurveda's Triphala tablets not only help improve your gut health but can also be an excellent addition to your eye care routine. 
4. Kriyakalpa - Kriyakalpa is a group of Ayurvedic eye treatments using medicated ghee and powdered formulations. Tarpana, Putapaka, Seka, Anjana, Aschyotana, Pindi, and Bidalaka are different Kriyakalpa treatments that can improve eye health and treat various eye conditions.
5. Ghee - Ghee for the eyes is a superfood that provides essential nutrients and reduces inflammation. Incorporate ghee into your diet or try medicated herbal ghees for added benefits.
6. Eye Exercises - Eye exercises like palming, blinking, and rotating the eyes can help improve blood circulation and reduce eye strain. These exercises can promote healthy eyesight and relieve tension in the eye muscles.

Also Read: 7 Tips on How to Improve Eyesight at Home Naturally

Common eye problems

We've talked about what causes poor eyesight. Let's learn about common eye disorders and how Ayurveda can help manage them. Some of the most common issues people face are dry eyes, myopia (near-sightedness), cataracts, glaucoma, and more. 

Let's dive into some of these in detail.

Managing Myopia the Ayurvedic way

Myopia, also known as shortsight, makes it hard to see distant objects. Symptoms include blurry vision, headaches, excessive eye blinking, and difficulty seeing in bright light. According to Ayurveda, it's a Dhrishti vyadhi caused by an imbalance in Pitta and Vata doshas in the eyes.

Ayurvedic treatment for myopia includes

1. Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Avoid excessive use of electronic devices, read in well-lit areas, and consume a balanced diet rich in vitamin A and other eye-nourishing nutrients.
2. Eye Exercises: Practice eye exercises like Tratak, eye rotation, and focusing on distant objects to strengthen eye muscles.
3. Ayurvedic Medicines: Use Ayurvedic medicines for eyesight containing Cakshushya, Bhrimhana, and Vata Hara herbs like Triphala, Amla, Shatavari, and Jhandu flowers. It helps to improve vision, strengthen the eyes, and rejuvenate them.
4. Kriyakalpa: Try Ayurvedic eye treatments like Netra Dhara, Seka, Anjana, Ascyotana, Drishti Prasadana, and Tarpana to promote vision and strengthen eye nerves.
5. Nasya: Use Kerala Ayurveda Anu thailam nasal drops to promote good eyesight.
6. Shirodhara: This therapeutic Ayurvedic treatment involves pouring warm oil on the forehead to calm the mind and improve eye health.

Managing Glaucoma Naturally with Ayurvedic Treatment

Glaucoma is a common eye problem that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. However, Ayurvedic treatment can help manage this condition naturally and improve overall eye health. In Ayurveda, Glaucoma is known as Adhimantha, and personalized treatment is offered based on individual dosha vitiation. 

Ayurvedic treatments for Glaucoma include:

1. Eye exercises -  Simple exercises like near and distant viewing, palming, Surya Namaskar, and pranayam can strengthen eye muscles, protect against infection, and prevent weakening.
2. Panchakarma - Panchakarma procedures like Snehana, Swedana, and Vasti can eliminate accumulated blood toxins and help reduce eye pressure.
3. Rakthamoksha - Bloodletting is a particular procedure in Ayurveda that can reduce the pressure around the eyes, making it beneficial in managing Glaucoma.
4. Netrabasti - A unique kriyakalpa for the eyes, Netrabasti helps strengthen the optic nerve. A small ring made of moong dal dough is placed around the eyes, and lukewarm medicated ghee is filled in the ring.

Improve Eyesight Naturally With Yoga

Did you know that yoga for eyes can help manage various eye care concerns? In this section, we will discuss a few methods of yoga to improve eyesight.

1. Chakrasana

This is the posture in which you lie down on your back and fold your legs and knees to parallel your feet to the ground. Then bend your arms and body, making a bow with the ground. For clarity, see the picture:

This helps rush blood towards the face. As a result, it improves eyesight, brings a natural glow to the face and maintains healthy hair.

2. Halasana

Another yoga pose can help increase blood flow toward the head.

In this pose, lie down on your back, place palms on the backside, slowly lift your legs towards the ceiling, and then to the ground behind your head. Refer to the image for details:

3. Sarvangasana or Shirshasana

Yoga poses and exercises that increase the blood flow towards our head can help improve eyesight naturally.

Sarvangasana and shirshasana are two poses to do the same.

For sarvangasana, lie down on your back, hold your back area with your palms and lift your legs up towards the sky.

Sarvangasana demonstration:

Speaking of shirshasana, it can be considered a more advanced stage of sarvangasana. The English language also calls it the headstand. For a better understanding of the pose, please refer to the image below:

Shirshasana demonstration:

Preventive Measures for Better Eye Care

Yoga is a healthy practice for eye care in Ayurveda. While, being regular with yoga is a healthy lifestyle choice, it’s also advisable to take preventive measures for better eye health.

Here are a few such measures according to Ayurveda for eyesight improvement:

• Exercise daily
• Practice yoga
• Cover your eyes in dusty areas
• Wear protective glasses while viewing screens
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Wash your eyes first thing in the morning with cold water with water in your mouth

Key takeaways

Taking care of your eyes is essential to maintain eye health and vision strength while growing up. In this blog, we discussed various natural methods for natural eye care. Let’s take a look at what we learned:

• An eyes wash routine with cold water every morning, practising Trataka, consuming Ayurvedic herbs like Amla and Triphala can help improve eye health
• Using Kriyakalpa treatments and Practicing eye exercises improve eye health and treat various eye conditions
• Ayurveda can effectively manage eye disorders like myopia and glaucoma by incorporating diet and lifestyle changes, eye exercises, Ayurvedic medicines, and kriyakalpa.
• You can improve your eyesight and prevent eye care concerns with yoga poses like Chakrasana, Halasana, and Sarvangasana/Shirshasana.
• Daily exercise, yoga practice, protective eyewear, and an eye wash routine can improve eye health and prevent damage.

Apart from that, it’s crucial to practice caution in our day-to-day life. Eye care is essential and must be practiced.