According to Ayurveda the eye is created and continues by the Fire Element. As such, the eye is negatively affected by excess heat, and just as the tears of the eye, as well as the aqueous function, to nourish and cool the eye, Ayurvedic recommends supportive measures to balance the Fire Element. This includes hygienic measures such as washing the face three to four times a day, taking regular baths, a healthy diet, living and working in areas with adequate ventilation or outside in the fresh air, and the ancient practice of peering at the cooling rays of the moon.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is the second leading reason behind irreversible blindness worldwide and the third leading cause in India. The disease progresses even though intraocular pressure (IOP) is well under control. Hence, now modern medicine is looking for strategies that are neuroprotective in glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) management. There are two major categories of glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma.
The gradual loss of vision caused due to glaucoma instills fear in the minds of patients about can glaucoma be cured. The allopathic treatment for this disease includes the use of medications or laser therapy depending upon the severity of the symptoms. Patients may also be prescribed eye drops that are aimed at lowering intraocular pressure. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
Ayurveda offers eye supplements for glaucoma, which help to manage this disease without causing any discomfort. Hence patients who are apprehensive about how to cure glaucoma are advised to seek an ayurvedic treatment to ensure holistic recovery.
Cataract: A cataract is an eye disease in which the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy causing a decrease in vision. It is a common disease and most cataracts are a result of the ageing process. In the development of age-related cataract, the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia). Cataracts generally progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. It usually affects both eyes but one of the eyes is always affected earlier than the other. Cataract treatment at Dr Jasna Ayurveda offers a combination of personalized medicines, diet and lifestyle which works on the root cause of the disease.
The lens of the eye is chiefly constituted of water and proteins. The protein is organised during a specific method that keeps the lens clear and permits light to pass through it to focus a clear image on the retinal surface. As we age, some of the protein binds together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is how age-related cataract is caused. Over time, the cataract may become denser or cloud more of the lens making it more difficult to see. However, it should be noted that cataract is not a growth or tumor.
In Ayurveda, this disease is named timira or linga nasha. Aggravated vata is considered to be responsible for the manifestation of this disease. One of the properties of vata is to make things dry up. When the lens of the eye loses its transparency, vision becomes blocked. This condition is known as a cataract. If started at an early stage, Ayurvedic Cataract treatment is very effective. During Ayurvedic treatment, the aim is to alleviate the aggravated body energies and nourishing and strengthen the nerves and tissues of the eye.
Scleritis: Sclera is the opaque posterior five sixths of the outer fibrous coat of the eyeball. Inflammation of the sclera is known as scleritis. The common symptoms of scleritis are pain, redness, photophobia, lacrimation sional diminution of vision. Non-infectious scleritis can either occur in isolation or associated with other systematic inflammatory conditions. Scleritis, is left untreated, can lead to peripheral keratitis, uveitis, cataract, glaucoma, and even blindness. Even though corticosteroids are effective in treating ocular inflammation, the side effects of these often impede long term use.
Myopia /Nearsightedness: Myopia or shortsightedness refers to difficulty in seeing objects at a distance. The light rays returning into the eyes are supposed to converge at a specific point on the retina. However, in myopia, they start converging much ahead of the retina, as a result of which the person has blurred vision of distant objects but a clear vision of near objects. Myopia treatment in Ayurveda has effectively stopped further degeneration and improved vision in thousands of patients of all age.
Excessive use of the eyes, studying or reading in dim light, excessive use of computers, lack of eye exercises, improper diet and nutrition are some causes of myopia. Heredity is also a factor.
From an Ayurvedic point of view, vision defects imply derangement of doshas. Alochak pitta that resides in the eyes is responsible for vision. Vitiation of this pitta causes vision problems. Causes like excess use of eyes increase vata which then weakens the structures in the eyes. Because of causes like lack of proper diet, alochak pitta and dhatus (tissues) in eyes do not receive proper nourishment and therefore fail to perform their functions properly. Improper food, hampered digestion etc may produce toxins that can block the channels and cause malnourishment of optic tissues. So Ayurvedic Myopia treatment includes balancing the body energies in addition to therapies that clear eye blockages, nourish and strengthen the optical nerves and tissues to boost vision.
