Ayurveda 
Care for the Glittering Pair
by Dr. Savitha Suri

Once while browsing through the internet, I came across a short and sweet poem, written by an unknown author, describing the beauty of eyes and expressions hidden in them.  The poem was so beautiful that I just made a note of it. Here is it:

In Your Eyes

In your eyes I see a thousand setting suns,
Glorious and mighty, more days are done.
In your eyes I see the beauty in a simple flower,
the majesty...the sweetness...the power.
In your eyes I see what could be,
faithfully, lovingly, you and me.
In your eyes my world spins round
your voice...passion the sound.
Mostly in your eyes I see love.

   Woman with beautiful eyes

Saying that eyes are the most effective and expressive tools of communication would indeed be no understatement. They mirror a person's myriad moods and emotions. Eyes have fascinated poets since time immemorial. We humans are blessed with a highly developed brain which decodes the stimuli from five sense organs and draws an inference about the object beheld. God has blessed us with eyes to enjoy the beauty and variety offered by the world he has created around us. Hence our eyes deserve some amount of special care.

According to the Ayurveda many factors affect the function of eyes, reducing their efficiency and causing discomfort. According to Ayurveda the diseases of eyes are caused by the vitiation of tridoshas. Tridoshas (vatha, pitta and kapha) function normally in their respective channels and places, when they are in balanced condition. The main factors, which vitiate these doshas in eyes, are -

  • Taking cold bath after a brisk exercise or after roaming in hot climate.
  • Straining the eyes for very long hours.
  • Keeping awake for very long time, sleeping in afternoon.
  • Moving in dust, polluted environment and in smoke.
  • Controlling natural urges,
  • Head injuries,
  • Using the microscope continuously,
  • Alcoholism.

All these factors vitiate the doshas of eyes and cause numerous diseases of eye.

Tired Eyes

Tired eyes are mostly caused by allergies, fatigue, over strain of eyes, infection and inadequate supply of oxygen to tissues of eyes. The main symptoms of tired eyes are dryness and irritation

Self Care for Tired Eyes

  • Give rest to your eyes by closing them for a minute's interval in between work hours.
  • Have a good night's sleep for 6- 7 hrs.
  • Place fresh slice of cucumber on eyes for few minutes. This revitalizes eyes.
  • Wash your eyes with cold water several times in a day.
  • Mix few drops of rose water in a cup of water. Dip two cotton gauzes in it and place them on your eyes for few minutes.

Consult an ophthalmologist if itching, redness or discomfort persists.

Dry Eyes

Tears flow down our eyes when we are sad or too happy. But our eyes are always protected by a thin film of tear. This film represents aap dhatu or jaladhatu (water element) according to Ayurveda or jala .The tear film keeps our vision clear and protects our eyes from irritations. Reduction in production of tears causes variation in tear film and dries it. This condition is called as dry eyes.

Causes for Dry Eyes

  • Age: As we get old the tear production reduces causing dry eyes. This is more prevalent in women than men.
  • Systemic diseases - Medical Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma etc.
  • Few medications - Few medications like diuretics , antihistamines, decongestants, sleeping pills, few antidepressants, acne medications and opiate preparations, allergic reaction to eye ointments and eye drops
    Diseases of eyes: Blepheritis (inflammation of edges of eyelids), Entropion (inward bending of eyelid), Ectropion (outward bending of eyelid).
  • Irritants present in environment - smoke, dust, wind, sun, dry climate.
  • Life styles - Working in front of computer for longer hours, reading for long hours, driving.
  • Varied Composition of tears - Tears are a mixture of water, fatty oils, proteins, electrolytes, etc.
  • According to ayurveda principles the vitiated vayu causes this condition

Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Usually both eyes get affected in this condition. Itching, burning or stinging sensation in eyes as if a foreign substance is inside. You feel it very difficult to wear contact lenses. Eyes get tired easily. Secretion of mucus in the form of threads, around eyes. Eyes get very quickly irritated when exposed to smoke or wind.

If the above mentioned symptoms persist for a prolonged period please consult an ophthalmologist.

Prevention of Dry Eyes

  • Avoid direct blowing of air through hair driers, fans or air conditioners.
  • Wear cooling glasses when it is too sunny or windy.
  • Wear swimming glasses to prevent excess irritation.
  • Avoid dry climate.
  • Don't forget to blink when you work in front of computer or while reading or while watching TV
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes.

Home Remedies for Dry Eyes

  • Boil castor leaves in water and allow it to cool down, when this decoction is lukewarm dip cotton gauze it and place it both eyes. When gauze becomes cold it can be dipped once again in the decoction and place on the eyes.
  • Boil two spoons of triphala powder in a glass of water until it reduces to quarter of a glass, when it is lukewarm filter it and add a spoon of honey. Drinking this decoction every day strengthens the eyes.

Dark Circles

Dark Circles are a common beauty complaint. Nine out of 10 people have dark circles under their eyes at one time or another, the skin beneath our eyes is very thin. As we get exposed to sun rays, the skin under the eyes gets damaged and becomes more thin and wrinkled. The veins below this thin skin start looking prominent. Thus the wrinkles and prominent veins form dark circles. Some times pigmentation also causes dark circles.

Causes of Dark Circles

  • Age
  • Over exposure to sun
  • Lack of sleep
  • Lack of nutrients
  • Allergies
  • Eczema
  • Asthma
  • Hereditary
  • Fatigue
  • Chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Menstruation

Remedy for Dark Circles

  • Conceal the dark circles through make up techniques.
  • Do not use bleach or peels to make the dark circles light.
  • Apply mild moisturizer under eyes take care not to apply it too much. Lightly tap the under eye skin with one or two fingers to increase the blood circulation.
  • Treat the cause of illness mentioned above.
  • Sleep for sufficiently long hours.
  • Do not scratch the under eye skin.
  • Take good diet, which is rich in nutrients.

Conjunctivitis: (Pink Eye) & its Causes

Conjunctivitis may be caused by viruses, bacteria or allergic substances like pollen or dust. Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or virus may affect one or both eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis affects both eyes.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are- Redness, itching, grittily feeling, tearing and discharge from one or both eyes. Blurred vision and sensitivity to light also accompany the above symptoms.

Prevention

  1. Avoid Using others eye cosmetics and sharing your cosmetics with others.
  2. Do not touch your eyes repeatedly with your hands.
  3. Wash your hands repeatedly and thoroughly.
  4. Change pillow covers frequently.
  5. Do not share your napkins, towels, hand kerchiefs with others and don't use others'.
  6. Wash the above mentioned items daily in warm water and press them using hot iron.
  7. Take proper care of your contact lenses according to doctor's instructions.
  8. Avoid rubbing of eyes.  

May 14, 2006  

Dr. Savitha Suri B.A.M.S is Chief Consultant physician at Chaitanya Integrated Medical Center, Udayagiri, Mysore, Karnataka, India. She is practicing Indian Systems of Medicines since 12 years. By arrangement with http://www.ayurhelp.com

Disclaimer: 
Information provided in this article is for the sole purpose of imparting education on Ayurveda and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.    

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