Our eyes, being the most vital and vulnerable part of the body, are easily susceptible to the adverse effects of stress, strain, smoke, dust, ultraviolet radiation and improper diet. But a little bit of care can go a long way in helping us maintain good vision. 

Ayurvedic eye care has been very effective for:-

1. Refractive errors : The modern solution for a person having refractive errors is a pair of “powerful” glasses. But Ayurveda takes a different approach. It sees the functioning of the eye as a biological mechanism. Instead of correcting the problem mechanically, it tries to improve the focusing capacity from within.


2. Retinitis pigmentosa  : refers to a set of inherited eye diseases that cause degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina, causing progressive vision loss.


3. Macular degeneration or agerelated macular degeneration : Is a leading cause of vision loss above the age of 60. It destroys sharp, central vision.


4. Glaucoma : Is caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting from either malformation or malfunction of the eye’s drainage structures. If left untreated, an elevated IOP can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibres resulting in progressive permanent loss of vision.


5. Retinal detachment  : Is a serious condition that occurs when the retina becomes separated from its underlying supportive tissue. The retina cannot function when these layers are detached. Unless it is re-attached soon, there could be permanent vision loss. Its early symptoms include spots, floaters and flashes of light. Vision may be come blurred.


6. Keratoconus : Often appearing in the teens or early twenties, keratoconus is a progressive disease in which the normally round cornea becomes thin and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape. This deflects light as it enters the eye, causing distorted vision.


7. Myopic degeneration : Degenerative myopia is the seventh leading cause of blindness. This can start at birth, but it most often manifests during pre-teen years. It is believed to be hereditary.


8. Hyperaemia retinae : happens due to congestion of blood in the retina. Normally, the size of arteries is ¾ that of veins. If there is any congestion, the size of veins and arteries will change.


9. Diabetic retinopathy : It is a common complication in diabetic patients that can lead to blindness. Those with a history of diabetes for more than 10 years are more susceptible to the disease. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In some patients, the blood vessels may have swollen and leaked fluid, while in others, abnormal new blood vessels may have grown on the surface of the retina.


10. Distorted metabolism : a result of diabetes, denatures walls of the blood vessels, causing changes in blood flow to the retina. As the retina runs short of sufficient blood supply, it initiates a series of changes. In the early stages, i.e., background retinopathy, the visual symptoms may not be that significant. The next stage is proliferative retinopathy, in which the body creates new blood vessels to supply the starving retina. These new vessels are weak, and are highly susceptible to rupture, causing bleeding. This may keep happening, threatening vision and creating a series of other complications like glaucoma.

 

Treatment :-

1. Kashāyadhara : With its cleansing property, marks the beginning of the treatment for many diseases. Specified herbal decoctions are poured into the eyes from a specific height for a specific period.


2. Tarpanaṁ : involves placing medicated ghee over the eyeballs using a border made with black gram powder for a specific period. It improves vision and is useful in the treatment of diseases such as myopia. It is also effective for eye diseases in children.


3. Nasyaṁ : instilling medicated oil into both nostrils is done to clean up the passage, nourish the organs and improve the nervous system.


4. Netradhara : involves pouring of herbal decoction through the inner corners of the eyes and letting it flow through the entire eye. The process is repeated for both eyes. This cleansing treatment is generally done prior to other treatments.


5. Shashtika pinda sweda (njavara kizhi) : This is effective in people with acute astigmatism, and weak and small eyeballs. Rice cooked in medicated milk, along with certain herbal infusions, is bundled into a bolus and massaged over the eyes for a prescribed time under controlled pressure For diabetic retinopathy

 

Ayurvedic treatments effectively re-establishes retinal nutrition, prevents the growth of fragile vessels, reverses the metabolic changes manifested by diabetes, stops bleeding and its chances of recurrence, and thus improves quality of vision.