EYE CARE SCIENCE OF LIFE

Dr.Satendra singh

B.A.M.S

M.L.R.Ayurvedic college charkhi dadri

Haryana

Eye in Ayurved

Each of sense organ is distributed in body in the two levels . One is

sukhsma indriya present close to manas and aatma and other second one

is sthul indriya. Is peripheral receptor (as eyeball ,nose, ear, skin ,tongue)

Sankhya:- indriyas are eleven ........

Five jananendriyas (sense organs )

Five. Karmendriyas (motor organs )

One ubhyendriya (manas )

चऺुररन्द्रिय

चऺुररिंद्रिय (नेत्र ) - Synonyms- ( अऺ, ऱोचन, नयन ,दर्शन, चऺु,अन्द्ऺणी, दृष्टि, रूपिं, etc)

नेत्रगोऱक ★ ष्टिद्याद् द्वयिंगुऱबाहुल्यम ्स्ििंगुष्ठोदरसन्द्ममतम ।द्वयिंगुऱसिशत: सार्शम भिषगनयनबुद्बदुम ।।सुितृिं गोस्तनाकारम ्सिशिूतगुणोदििम ।पऱम ्िुिोअन्द्ननतो रक्तम ्िातात कृष्णमभसतम जऱात।आकार्ाद आश्रमुागाशरश्च जायरते नयनबुद्बदेु ।।

Sushrut Samhita, anatomy & physiology of eye has been discussed in great details. They have mentioned

thousands of years before that the shape of eye is oblong & not a perfect round, (Gostanakaram)

thickness of the eyeball is close to the thickness of ones own thumb (swangushthdara sammitam), they

have even discussed about different coats/layers (patal), various junctions( sandhi), about pupil (drishti),

inner canthus(kaninak), outer canthus(apanga), about lens, eye lids, eye lashes & many more such

relevant things in Ayurvedic anatomy of eyeball(Netrasharira).

Components of eye ball

Patal 6

Mandal 5

Sandhi 6

Ayurveda explains that Pitta dosha, the element of fire and light, governs

our eyes. Specifically, the sub-dosha “Alochaka Pitta” lives in the eyes.

Alochaka pitta absorbs images and colors, allowing us to take in and

digest all of the visual impressions coming to us. When Alochaka pitta is in

balance, eyes are healthy, bright, clear, shiny, luminous, and we enjoy

sharp eyesight.

•Pitta dosha in eye

AS PER AYURVEDIC PHYSIOLOGY OF EYE, THE MAIN DOSHA

THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VERY BASIC FUNCTION OF

EYE (SIGHT, TO SEE), IS NO OTHER THAN PITTA & THAT TO

AGAIN A SUBTYPE OF PITTA KNOWN AS ALOCHAKA PITTA. I

AM SURE ALL OF US WOULD SALUTE TO OUR ANCIENT

MASTERS WHO KNEW THAT THERE WERE TWO DISTINCTIVE

COMPONENTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACT OF SEEING,

ONE IN THE EYE ITSELF (MAY BE IN THE RETINA) & OTHER IN

THE BRAIN AS A OPTIC CENTRE, WHICH THEY HAVE CLEARLY

MENTIONED THEN AS THE CHAKSHURVAISHESHIKA

ALOCHAKA PITTA & BUDDHIRVAISHESHIK ALOCHAKA PITTA

RESPECTIVELY.

Etiology Of Eye Disorders

Eye diseases in different ayurvedic

samhitas

Charak And Bhav Prakash 78

Vagbhat And Sharngdhar 94

Kaushik 80

Karal & Other 96

According to Sushurat -Vataj 10 Pittaj 10 Kafaj 13

Raktaj 16 Sarvaj 25 Extra 02

Treatment :-

Various treatment modalities utilized in the ayurvedic therapy of eye

DisordersThere are various ways with which Ayurveda advocates to treat

these eye disorders, these can be subdivided into basic two groups, viz.

local therapies (Bahyopachara) & internal therapies (Abhyantar

upachara). Internal therapies consists of various drugs/medicaments in the

forms of Guggulu, Vati, Guti (tablets or pills), Choorna (mono herbal or

polyherbal or herbo mineral combinations in the form of powders), Kwatha

or Kashaya (Decoctions), Swarasa (fresh juices of medicinal herbs),

Lehyam (Linctus) and Siddhda Ghritam (medicated ghee).where as Local

therapy consists of various options those are to be performed on the

diseased eye.

They are Ashchotana (eye drops), Anjan (to be applied on conjunctival

bed), Nasya (medicine to be instilled inside nose), Tarpan ( liquefied

medicated ghee to be retained over open? or rather blinking eyes for a

specified period in a specific way), Netradhara (pouring of warm

decoction over closed eyelids), Lepa (application of paste of medicated

powders over closed eye) etc. These therapies are to be performed in

different combinations for different ophthalmic disorders.

Eye the need of world

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 roundyour voice...passion the

sound.Mostly in your eyes I see love.

Our eyes are the most important organs we have in relating to the world

around us. Our eyes are the connection between the outer and inner

worlds. In fact it is said that our eyes are the mirror to our soul. We must

protect and take loving care of these delicate organs.

Panchakarma Ayurvedic Treatments

for Eye Diseases

Panchakarma Ayurvedic treatments and procedures like Nasya Karma

and Netra Tarpana / Netra Basti are generally followed for treatment of

Eye disease as the nasal passage is considered the ideal gateway for

administration of medicine in Urdhwajatrugata Rogas (Diseases related

above the neck region).

Nasya karma-

Nasya karma is believed to be best suited for the Eye and ENT ailments. In the procedure of Nasya karma, there is instillation of herbal medications like oil, powder, and fresh juices through the nostrils to balance doshas from the head region especially head, nose and throat. This procedure is usually done for 3-7 days, where the prescribed drops of herbal medication are administered into each nostril. Thus, the Panchakarma Ayurvedic treatment of Nasya Karma is essentially the procedure of instilling medicines through the nasal orifice. The nasal orifices are believed to be the entrance of the head. The medicine instilled through them easily penetrates

the Sringataka and spreads to the Siras (arterioles) of head (shira), eyes (netra), ears (shrotra), throat (kantha) and expels out the impurities.

Netra basti /Dhara

Netra Basti is a simple and effective method to relax the eye strain. This Ayurvedic

procedure includes keeping wheat flour doughnuts above the eyes and filling them with

warm ghee. This Ayurvedic procedure of Netra Tarpana cools, lubricates, and rejuvenates

the eyes and also improves the inner vision by clearing out the subtle channels associated

with inner and outer perception. This helps to relax itchy and dry eyes. It helps to bring back

brightness and clarity to the eyes as impurities are expelled out. It is also used to help early

formation of cataract, helps with sleep, Glaucoma, Chronic Conjunctivitis, and promotes

relaxation. The treatment is done by creating a pool of pure herbal ghee (clarified organic

butter) over the eye. The eyes comfortably swim in the ghee for about 20 minutes.

Eye care

According to Ayurveda, our eyesight is the product of Agni or the fire.

Therefore it is particularly important to save the same from phlegm. Also, as

the eyes are considered to be the windows to the soul and one of the

main sites of Pitta dosha, it is believed that excess heat or fire element can

accumulate in the eyes causing dryness, strain, blood shot, and diminished

vision. With the overuse of looking at computer screens and detail work it is

beneficial to give your eyes extra nutrition and rest with this eye therapy.A

few simple natural techniques must be practiced in order to keep our eyes

healthy and strain free:Daily eyewash has been suggested by Ayurveda

sages since ages so as to be able to own the perfect natural vision life-

long. As daily routine, eyes need to be washed with cold water. It is also

suggested that prior to this act, the mouth be filled with water. This would

make the eyes to be protruding out and better cleansing of the same

could be accomplished.

local applications of medicated Anjanas have been recommended so as to keep the eyes

clean and eye vision sharp.Adequate sleep is very important to keep the eyes healthy. With

increase in number of gadgets like Mobile phones, T.V. and Computers, we are constantly glued

to one or the other most of the times. A frequent break must be taken and we must avoid staring

the screen for prolonged time. Frequent blinking of eyes is also essential to keep the eyes well

lubricated. Rubbing the palms together and gently pressing on eyes also helps the eyes to

relax.Certain diets which are rich in Vitamin A and C are helpful in improving eye health. Fruits

and vegetables which are orange or yellow in colour are good source of Vitamin A. Green leafy

vegetables are important to improve vision. Ayurvedic herbs like Aamla and Triphala are

beneficial to strengthen eye muscles and improve eye condition. Apart from these, certain

techniques like gazing the rising Sun or a ghee lamp can improve vision.Ayurveda Home

Remedies for Eye Care

ASCHYOTAN :-

Aschyotana- Medicated drops into the eye.

SEKA:-

This is pouring of liquid in thin stream over the closed eye from a height of

four inches height. Indicated in Inflammatory conditions (Pitta dosha

Vitiation).

BIDALAK:-

Application of a paste over the eye lids except the area of eye lashes.

Best in eyelid disorders

PINDI:-

Poultice i.e. drug, tied with cloth, kept over the eyes. Useful in abhishyandi

(conjunctivitis) and vranas(Ulcers) of the eyes.(beneficial in kapha pitta

disorders)

TARPAN:-

Unctuous substance is kept on the eyes for stipulated period of time by

constructing the wall around the eyes with flour. Indicated in all the

degenerative disorders, Inflammatory & chronic disorders of the eyes.

PUTPAK:-

Putapaka- Similar as tarpana, the medicine is extracted by a special

method called Putapaka. This is usually done after Tarpana.

ANJANA:-

Anjana- Application of medicine to the internal surface of lid margin. Used

as treatment & also as preventive measures. Useful in ocular growths,

opacity, Kapha predominant condition.

One should regularly apply the collyrium made of antimony because it is useful for the eyes.

Rasanjana – Aqueous extract of Berberis aristata (a preparation of Berberis aristata DC.) is to be

applied once in every 5-8 nights for lacrimation of the eyes. Of all the Mahabhutas, Tejas (Fire, in

the form of light) dominates in the composition of eyes; so they specially are susceptible to kapha.

Therefore, the therapy (collyrium etc) which alleviates kapha is good for keeping the vision clear. A

strong collyrium must not be applied to the eyes during the day time as the eyes weakened by

drainage will be adversely affected at the sight of the Sun. Thus, the collyrium meant for draining

should be applied only during night. (15- 17)

Advantages of anjan

As different types of tarnished gold ornaments are spotlessly cleared by

means of oil, cloth and hair brush, so also by the use of Collyrium and eye

drops, the eyes become spotlessly bright like the moon in a clear sky.

Thank you