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. The unnatural light causes various eye disorders and hormonal irregularity of the pituitary gland. Our body secretes melatonin which activates under darkness but when one regularly has exposure to bright unnatural light emitted from LEDs or TFT screens it imbalances body sleep cycle and thus leading to other health problems.
Eyes are considered to be the seat of pitta dosha and needs proper care, cooling and lubrication regularly. If the blinking of eyes is less frequent than normal, this cooling and lubricating process is disturbed, thereby increasing chances of issues related to eye strain. The eyes are a vital organ of the human body and the most important of the five senses. They are very delicate and sensitive and need a lot of care.
The ancient science of Ayurveda is an integral form of medicine and healthcare which primarily aims at the prevention of disease and promotes positive well-being. Its holistic approach towards lifestyle and health makes it vital in the modern-day scenario. Intensive eye care is described under “Shalakya Tantra”, one of the eight parts of Ayurveda.
Although these approaches are primitive, they are viable and can still be easily practised in our daily lives to avoid lifestyle-related eye disorders.
Various eye disorders:
● Refractive Errors-Refractive errors are the most frequent eye. Refractive errors include myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (distorted vision at all distances).
● Age Related error-Macular degeneration, often called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is an eye disorder associated with ageing and results in damaging sharp and central vision.
● Cataract-Cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens and is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and the leading cause of vision loss
● Diabetes Retinopathy-Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness.
● Glaucoma-Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness.Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises.
● Amblyopia- Amblyopia, also referred to as “lazy eye,” is the most common cause of vision impairment in children. Amblyopia is the medical term used when the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly.
● Strabismus - It involves an imbalance in the positioning of the two eyes. Strabismus can cause the eyes to cross in (esotropia) or turn out (exotropia). Strabismus is caused by a lack of coordination between the eyes. As a result, the eyes look in different directions and do not focus simultaneously on a single point.
Ayurvedic approach to take care of eyes in simple ways
● Regularly wash your eyes with cold water. Splash Cold water into your eyes in morning. This removes dry mucous and dirt after long sleeping hours. Eyes will always benefit from cool exposure.
● Avoid using chemical products which cause harm to eyes. Products like eye kohl, mascara, eye creams, contact lenses etc can harm your pupils and optical tissues. Usage of such chemical products can permanently damage eye vision and could lead to blindness.
● Eye massage and palming can help to release tension built in eye muscles. It can improve circulation and relax muscles required and necessary for maintaining visual acuity . They help to regulate tear glands.
● Avoid exposure to direct sun rays. Ultraviolet light is extremely dangerous for skin and eyes. Exposure to such rays and lights can cause permanent damage and can lead to visionary disorders. Always wear hats/caps or glasses to protect your eyes.
Ayurvedic herbs and plants that can help to cure and control eye disorders:
● Aloe vera: Chop aloe-vera flesh into a cube large enough to hold with your finger comfortably and freeze them separately. When the eyes feel tired, take one cube from the freezer and massage the face and area around the eyes with it once daily, preferably in the evening. When the cube is finished, keep your cold finger on the eyes to soothe them.
● Rose water: Apply a cotton pad soaked in good quality distilled rose water over the eyes for 10 minutes once daily to relax and cleanse the eyes. One can use cucumber slices with rose water. It helps to reduce dark eye circles.
● Triphala eye wash: Triphala eye wash works amazingly well in treating eye problems and maintaining good vision. It is very effective in preventing dry eyes, computer vision syndrome, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma.
Try out: Eyekey Malt an ayurvedic medicinal supplement that helps to promote eye health.
● Trataka medication: Exercise also is an important aspect of maintaining good vision and eye health. The traditional way of doing this can be through the gazing meditation called trataka in Yoga.
● Banana peels work wonders on reducing dark circles. Apply a banana peel like an eye mask while sleeping.
Our take:
Eyes are vital organs and important for our body. Taking proper care of eyes should be the utmost priority of an individual. Taking breaks from the constant hustle of lifestyle should be managed well. Let eyes rest well. Sleep early and manage your routine well. If one feels strain on eyes they should try to rest them well and avoid all activities for few hours. Follow healthy screen breaks and try taking power naps to rest strained eyes for a few minutes.
Following these basic steps will help give your eyes the care that it needs and even make them say "Eye" love you!
