Ayurveda Daily Health – Sore Dry Eyes

Ayurveda Health – Sore Dry Eyes

Dry eye or Keratitis Sicca is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. This results in irritation of the surface of eye tissue. Dry eyes sometimes affect cornea and conjunctiva resulting in complications related to vision.

Symptoms include persistent dryness, scratching and burning sensation of eyes, it may sometimes also be accompanied by pain, redness of eyes and irritation.

Many people usually have a feeling of a foreign body sensation in the eyes. Some people may even experience sensitivity towards light and blurred vision.

Causes for Dry Eyes depends on many factors including Climate, Daily Schedule, etc. Some major causes are described here:

·        Dusty/dry/windy climate

·        Spending Excessive time in an air conditioning or heating system.

·        Staring at the TV, mobile or computer screen for longer duration without blinking is now a common and large reason for dryness of eyes.

·        Dryness of Eyes by side effect of some medicines.

·        Less sleep or odd sleeping hours.

·        Excessive fast food can also worsen the dry eye condition by not providing the proper nutrients.

·        After Cataract Surgery, one can get dryness in the eyes.

·        Smoking

·        Ageing

According to the Ayurvedic point of view, Dry Eyes is a Vata disorder in the eyes and can be related to the anatomical structure of eyes, along with a lack of nourishment to the tissues of the eyes.

Ayurveda treatment

Ayurveda shows a different approach to treating Dry Eye Syndrome. Because dry eyes syndrome is due to vitiated Vata dosha the aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the balance of the same. We must look at the reasons why Vata is out of balance.

Netra Basti 

The best way to treat this is through an Ayurvedic treatment called Netra Basti a treatment that is used to nurture, lubricate and bring nutrition to the eyes.

How to do it?

To start we need to warm a quarter cup of ghee (clarified butter) over medium heat, cool it to room temperature, pour half the liquid into an eyecup (sold at chemists or online), lean your head back, and bathe the eye for five to seven minutes.

Repeat on the other eye using the remaining ghee.

(Note: This treatment can be messy, so do it in a bathroom, covering clothes, best to wrap a towel around you to catch the oil.

Its best to do this routine until just before bedtime, because your vision will be clouded for a few minutes afterward.

This gives you a good excuse to rest your eyes and your whole body, which should also help calm a Vata imbalance.

 Tips that can also help

Few changes in our lifestyle can also reflect positively, like:

1.      Use of Humidifiers at our workplace or while at home.

2.      Always keep air vents of heaters, air conditioners, hair dryers away from your face, also avoid direct facing towards the fans.

3.      Finally, the most important thing is that always take a break from computer screens after a minimum span of 30mins, and blink the eyes often, this helps to spread tears over the surface of eyes.

Do’s and Don’ts:

·        Do Drink plenty of water.

·        Do Increase intake of clarified butter if not having any other metabolic disease.

·        Do regular exercise. Yoga and pranayama are very helpful.

·        Avoid bright sunlight or other bright light.

·        Stop smoking immediately.

·        Avoid fast food and junk food.

·        Avoid the use of the screen of mobile, TV, and computer as much as possible.

·        Consider changing your diet to support Vata to help with any constiopation problems

See our Daily Health Concerns for Constipation