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In Ayurveda, emphasis is given on overhauling the complete human body including its vital parts like brain. It is assumed that the general health of a person depends on the functioning of all the body parts. Eyesight is not an exception to this assumption. It also depends on the total well being along with the impact of environment, the genetic structure, eating habits of the person, airborne toxins exposure and the environment where the person works.
Through Ayurveda, most of the eye diseases are curable with effect that lasts for a very good period of time. Under this evaluation is first made to know about the lifestyle of the person, his/her habits, the routine of exercises, family history and stress management. The treatment is suggested accordingly that helps in giving results that are much satisfactorily. The following are some of the eye diseases that are curable through Ayurveda.
Eyes have often been ignored by a lot of us and if you ask around as to how many times a week anyone did something to improve eyes, the most probable answer is zero. Being your window to the world, and with increasing time being spent on watching TV and computers, it is important to pay attention to your eyes.
Eyes are one of the most important organs in the body. Upkeep of eyes involves many steps. Habits like not continuously staring at screens or monitors, which leads to straining of eyes and ensuring proper lighting while using your eyes are some of the healthy habits. Sleep is also important to ensure eyes are maintained healthy.
If proper care for eyes is not taken, it can result in various eye conditions such as age related macular degeneration and cataracts, which is a leading cause of blindness in the world.The Ayurvedic name for defective eyesight is ‘Drishti Dosha’. Alochaka Pitta is responsible for maintaining eyesight and it weakens with age. To ensure good healthy eyes, proper caring for the eyes is one preventative measure that helps. A few causes of defective eyesight include prolonged constipation, nervous debility, prolonged common cold, stress, diabetes, excessive smoking, alcohol intake and caffeinated drinks.
Yogic eye exercises, if done daily, are a gentle and effective way to prevent vision problems from developing. Foods like apple, sprouted chickpeas and raw carrots, along with almonds, green leafy vegetables and wheat bread provide nourishment for eyes
Keraliya Ayurvedic Panchakarma Centre have extensive programme for eyes and rehabilitation of eyesight.
In advanced stage, proliferation and neo – vascularization result in severe and multiple hemorrhages that ultimately lead to vision loss as the degeneration progresses and becomes irreversible too.
Nethrachikitsa is as old as Ayurveda and forms a very critical branch of Ayurvedic treatment. Derived from two Sanskrit words ‘netra’ meaning ‘eyes’ and ‘chikitsa’ meaning ‘treatment’, this is not surprising as eyes are our window to the world and any disease affecting it needs priority treatment. Nethrachikitsa is a branch of Salakyatanthra in ayurveda, which deals with the treatment of entire area of head and neck. In English Nethrachikitsa is termed as Ophthalmology.
Eyes have always been given due importance as an indriya or organ in Ayurveda from very ancient times. Traces of Nethrachikitsa can be found in the ancient texts of Ayurveda. It has been proved that in earlier times, there was an existence of systematic way of eye treatment, which included different types of therapeutic formulations and practices. Among all the branches of salakyatanthra, Nethrachikista or Ophthalmology is the most important and popular branch. In this field a total 76 eye diseases have been described and classified into various branches such as Vartma gata roga i.e. dieseases of the lids, Krishnagata roga (Diseases of cornea) etc.
In Ayurveda, the treatment of eye diseases is done not only by internal medications but also by way of several traditional applications like Anjanam and Aschyothanam. It also includes methods like nasyam (part of Panchakarma), nethraTarpanam and Putapakam. Nethrachikitsa also advocates the application of several eye exercises and yoga in order to keep the eyes healthy and efficient for years. If followed in the right method, Ayurvedic ophthalmology is capable of curing several common and chronic eye diseases.
Some of the major diseases which can be treated with the help of ayurveda are: Myopia (short-sight), Hypermetropia (long-sight), Astigmatism, inflammations and infections like Conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, blepharitis, recurrent stye, scleritis etc., degenerative eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, optic atrophy, lazy eye (amblyopia), computer-related disorders like Dry Eye (computer vision syndrome), Glaucoma, allergic conditions like central serous retinopathy, spring catarrh, etc. Keraliya Ayurvedic Panchkarma Centre is specialize in Netra Chikitsa and is very proficient in ensuring that eye diseases are cured the Ayurvedic way, without any side effects. The potential of Ayurveda can help us to see this beautiful world by our healthy eyes for a longer period of time.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness. Almost every patient with long history of uncontrolled diabetes suffers from diabetic retinopathy sooner or later. It affects the person in various stages and symptoms are widely different in patients. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels affect the permeability and blood flow of retinal blood vessels. The resultant is leaking blood from the vessels even with a mild mechanical jerk or even with slightly increased blood pressure. In early stages, there are small dot hemorrhages in retina or vitreous. The stage can lead to significant vision loss if there is leakage of vessels underneath macula. The resulting macular edema causes disturbance in the uniformity of the retinal surface and hence, the patient sees the distorted images.
In advanced stage, proliferation and neo – vascularization result in severe and multiple hemorrhages that ultimately lead to vision loss as the degeneration progresses and becomes irreversible too.
Broadly there are two types, or stages of retinopathy: Non Proliferative or Proliferative.
Non Proliferative diabetic retinopathy develops first. Blood vessels in the eye become larger in certain spots (called micro aneurysms). Blood vessels may also become blocked. There may be small amounts of bleeding (retinal hemorrhages), and fluid may leak into the retina. This can lead to noticeable problems with your eyesight.
Proliferative retinopathy is the more advanced and severe form of the disease. New blood vessels start to grow in the eye. These new vessels are fragile and can bleed (hemorrhage). Small scars develop, both on the retina and in other parts of the eye (the vitreous). The end result is vision loss, as well as other problems.
Many people with early diabetic retinopathy have no symptoms before major bleeding occurs in the eye. This is why everyone with diabetes should have regular eye exams.
Diabetic Retinopathy is caused by vitiation of vata, pitta & kapha dosha. Diabetic retinopathy can be well controlled by Ayurvedic treatment as Ayurveda herbs not only reverse the blood clots formed in retina and vitreous but also strengthen the metabolic functions so that further chances of blood leakage can be minimized. All these things are possible only if there is strict control of blood sugar level. The major procedures done for Ayurvedic treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy are as follows
Glaucoma is a disease which causes progressive damage in the optic nerves that lead to direct vision loss as a result of increased intra ocular pressure (not always). The optic nerves receive signals from retina and transmit them to brain as electrical impulses that we see in the form of image. Increased intra ocular pressure causes reduced blood flow in optic nerves and hence optic atrophy due to decreased nutrition to the nerve. In some cases, damage to optic nerves is seen even with normal intra ocular pressure. Glaucoma is clinically divided in to two types –
Closed angle glaucoma is the resultant of direct obstruction in the out flow of aqueous fluid.
According to Ayurveda, glaucoma is a disease thought to be caused by vitiation of all three doshas i.e. vata, pitta & kapha. Ayurvedic procedures help to clear the obstruction in the flow of aqueous fluid in eye so that intra ocular pressure can be maintained in a normal range. The cases, in which there is severs closure of angle need to go for surgical treatments. In spite of controlling I.O.P., the rejuvenating medicines of Ayurveda give strength to the optic nerve and hence restore the vision with in limitations. Complete recovery of the vision is not possible at any cost in severely visual impaired. So, the wise decision is not to under estimate the damaging power of glaucoma and treatment should be started at the earliest. The main Ayurvedic procedures done for the treatment of glaucoma are as follows
Macular degeneration is a medical condition usually of older adults that results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of visual impairment in the elderly (>50 years) Age-related macular degeneration begins with characteristic yellow deposits called drusen in the macula between the retinal pigment epithelium and the underlying choroid. Most people with these early changes have good vision. People with drusen can go on to develop advanced AMD. The risk is considerably higher when the drusen are large and numerous and associated with disturbance in the pigmented cell layer under the macula. Atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelial layer causes vision loss through loss of photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the central part of the eye.
Neovascular or exudative AMD, the “wet” form of advanced AMD, causes vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth called choroidal neovascularization in the choriocapillaris, through Bruch””s membrane, ultimately leading to blood and protein leakage below the macula. Bleeding, leaking, and scarring from these blood vessels eventually causes irreversible damage to the photoreceptors and rapid vision loss if left untreated.
M.D. according to Ayurveda is caused by vitiation of vata & pitta doshas. All dry types are purely vata type and wet type has pitta dosha along with vata. So, the Ayurvedic treatment of Macular Degeneration also varies according to the stage whether dry or wet type. Ayurvedic treatment can nicely control the progressive degeneration in majority of cases so that present vision status can be stabilized. Rejuvenating Ayurvedic medicines give strength to retina and some improvement in vision can also be expected.
In wet type Macular Degeneration, it is very imp to start the treatment immediately otherwise the persistent edema will make irreversible damage in retina and it will not be able to reverse the vision in those cases. The major treatment procedures done for the treatment of Macular Degeneration are as follows
Refractive errors comprise a group of diseases which can be corrected by refractive corrections i.e. by using glasses, or contact lens. These are myopia, hypermetropia, Astigmatism and presbyopia.
It is seen generally in childhood. In this disease patient have clear near vision but blurred distant vision. Generally diagnosed in children in age group of 8-19 yrs. Symptoms include blurred distance vision, eye strain, sometimes headaches, watering of eyes.
This is corrected by prescribing either glasses or contact lenses by an eye specialist.
Astigmatism is the condition which is caused by uneven shape of cornea and hence the uneven refraction resulting in blurred or distorted vision at all distances. Generally cornea is evenly round like volleyball, but in astigmatism some area of cornea become more round as is seen in a football. Symptoms of astigmatism include eye strain, headaches, distorted or blurred vision at all distances, difficulty in seeing during night.
This is corrected by prescribing either glasses or contact lenses by an eye specialist.
This is the condition in which one can see distant objects clearly but not the near objects. This may develop both in children and old age. This is because of defective refraction that forms image behind the retina. The symptoms of this disease are eye strain, headache, watering of eyes and difficulty in seeing near objects or reading books. This is corrected by prescribing either glasses or contact lenses by an eye specialist.
This is an age related condition in which patient is not able to focus on the near objects. This is because of hardening of lens material and hence the poor accommodation power due to which image is formed behind the retina and patient faces problems in near vision. The symptoms include eye strain, headache, watering of eyes sometimes and difficulty in seeing near objects.
This is corrected by prescribing either glasses or contact lens by an eye specialist.
Human eyes are not made to do a lot of stressed near work. But because of today’s life style, our eyes have to bear a lot of stress. As a result the person suffers from refractive errors. Ayurveda has rejuvenating medicines that neutralize the effect of today’s stressed life style over eyes, strengthening eye muscles, making lens material elastic and thus correcting refractive errors, But there is a limitation to the above said result. The stressed life style has to be avoided till the treatment continues for refractive corrections. Eye exercises and Ayurvedic procedures are found to be supportive in correcting refractive errors in children between age group of 5-13. Once a permanent mechanical change develops in the shape of eye ball, then it is not possible to reverse the changes. Hence the cases with early diagnosis, less damage, healthy life style and reduced eye stress respond better than the cases with late diagnosis, more damage and stressed life style. The major treatment procedures done for the treatment of refractive errors are as follows.
Cataract is the most commonly seen disease of old age responsible for highest percentage of blindness worldwide. It is due to the opacity in the lense fibers altering its appearance from crystalline to opaque thus blocking vision. Multiple reasons are thought to be responsible for this opacity. Multiple clinical patterns are seen for this disease i.e. central, cortical, floral etc. Maximum cataract cases are seen in their late sixties but this is not universally applicable. You need not to be a senior citizen to develop age related cataract. Sometimes age related cataract develops in 40’s of 50’s. You need not to rush for surgery until cataract disturbs your day to day activities like driving, reading or watching T.V. Some people may develop cataract as secondary complication due to long term use of some medicines for their systemic disease and some may develop cataract after an eye injury. Many children may develop congenital cataract due to some genetic anomalies. They may be born with cataract or develop it in their early childhood.
Diabetic patients and people whose eyes are either exposed to high temperature or bright light are at higher risk of developing cataract.
Cataract in Ayurveda is thought to be due to vitiation of all three doshas i.e. vata, pitta & kapha. A detailed clinical pattern is described for cataract in Ayurveda with prognosis. Ayurveda believes that cataract can be reversed if it is diagnosed in initial stage. Timira is the name given to describe all clinical conditions of cataract and its complications. Ayurveda texts also talk about the surgical treatments for mature cataract which was popular in India and worldwide in ancient times called as needing or couching. While talking about the medical treatments, life style modifications are recommended from unhealthy (or so called unhealthy) to strict healthy and instructed to follow the principles of health. The medical treatment cannot only prevent the progression of disease but also reduce the opacity and hence increase vision up to certain extent. The major procedures adopted for treatment of cataract are
Keratitis or Dry eye is a very common problem caused due to the lack of sufficient moisture and lubrication on the eye’s surface. Due to this problem, generalised decrease in the tears production is seen botth quantitatively and qualitatively. The tears are basically made up of the tree layers, mucous layer, lipid layer and the watery layer. Any problem in these layers lead to the problem of dry eyes.
The common symptoms of dry eyes is feeling of the burning sensation, persistent dryness and even scratching. Along with these symptoms, the person may feel pain, irritation and continuous redness in the eyes. There are cases where the people even reported the blurred vision and the problem of senstivity towards the light.
In Ayurveda, the Dry Eye Syndrome is treated in a very different manner. Eyes that are considered as the seat of Tej Mahabhoot also known as Pitta dosha is treated with the use of ghee. Usually the Triphala ghee is used in order to cure a number of eye diseases including the dry eye syndrome. Ghee is said to have a number of nutritional values and assists in regulating the tears, eye lids as well as the extra occular muscles.
Under this, the treatment is carried out in a manner as given below:
Initially the drops of Ghee are instilled into the eyes.
A gentle massage with triphla ghee is done around and over the eyes.
Netra Tarpan- a popular ayurvedic procedure is carried out to give good relief.
Keratoconus is an uncommon condition in which the normally round, dome-like cornea becomes thin and develops a cone-like bulge. Keratoconus literally means “cone-shaped cornea.” The cornea is a very important part of your eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea, which refracts, or focuses, the light rays so that you can see clearly. With keratoconus, the shape of the cornea is altered, distorting your vision.
Keratoconus can make some activities difficult, such as driving, typing on a computer, watching television or reading. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, though symptoms in each eye may differ. This is a projressive degenerations of cornea in which cornea becomes thin in the center patient usually complains frequent changes in the cylindrieal power and axis of his glass frequent changes in power of glass also do not solne the problem.
Symptoms usually start to occur in people who are in their late teens and early 20s and may include:
According to Ayurveda, Keratoconus is caused due to vitiation of vata dosha. Cornea is the site of vata dosha (i.e. why it is rich in nerve supply and no blood supply). Vitiated vata dosha alters the shape of cornea making it thinner in the center, giving it a conical shape. Ayurvedic treatments help to arrest the degeneration process and reduce the symptoms. The major treatment procedures done for treatment of keratoconus are