In today’s digital world, our eyes face constant exposure to screens, pollution, stress, and poor lifestyle habits, making eye disorders increasingly common across all age groups. While modern ophthalmology offers surgical and pharmaceutical interventions, Ayurveda provides a time-tested, holistic approach to improving and restoring eyesight naturally. This blog explores Ayurvedic understanding of eye disorders, treatment options, and practical lifestyle and dietary recommendations for managing common eye problems.
Why Ayurvedic Eye Care Matters Today
Ayurvedic treatment plays an important role in managing rising eye health issues. Common conditions like dry eyes, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts, and refractive errors are increasing due to prolonged screen use, sleeplessness, stress, diabetes, and hypertension.
Ayurveda addresses the root cause of these disorders by balancing the tridoshas and rejuvenating ocular tissues using therapies such as Aschyotana, Netra Tarpana, and Anjana, along with herbal remedies, lifestyle adjustments, and a nourishing diet. These therapies help reduce symptoms like dryness, irritation, burning, redness, and excessive tearing, while strengthening the optic nerves, improving tear secretion, preventing further degeneration, and promoting long-term visual wellness.
Common Vision Problems Treated in Ayurveda
1. Refractive Errors
- Myopia
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects are seen. The common symptoms include eye strain, headaches, and squinting.
- Hyperopia
Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a condition that causes nearby objects to appear blurry while distant vision remains clear. The symptoms include eye fatigue, blurred near vision, and difficulties with reading.
- Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, which leads to distorted or blurred vision at all distances. The symptoms include eye strain, headaches, and double vision.
- Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an age-related condition where the eye gradually loses its ability to focus on close objects. The symptoms include difficulty reading small print, eye strain, and the need to hold reading material farther away.
2. Cataract
Cataract is a progressive clouding of the natural lens of the eyes that leads to blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty seeing. It commonly occurs due to aging but may also result from diabetes and trauma. In Ayurveda, cataract is linked to Timira, which happens when the three doshas are out of balance, causing a slow loss of vision due to damage and cloudiness in the eye structures.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions characterized by increased intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve, leading to gradual and irreversible vision loss if untreated. It is asymptomatic in the early stages and may progress silently. In Ayurveda, glaucoma is correlated with Adhimantha, which involves vitiation of three doshas and is characterized by heaviness of the head, watering, itching, and pain in the eyes.
4. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes occur when the eyes fail to produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, redness, and an itching sensation. It is commonly triggered by prolonged screen use, aging, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, certain medications (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants), or environmental factors. In Ayurveda, dry eyes are associated with Shushkakshipaka, a condition caused by vitiated Vata and Pitta doshas, leading to dryness, burning, and discomfort in the eyes.
5. Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is a neurodevelopmental vision disorder where one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, usually due to poor coordination between the eye and brain during early childhood. It may result from strabismus, refractive errors, or visual deprivation. In Ayurveda, it is correlated with Pitta Vidagdha Drishti.
6. Other Conditions
- Diabetic Retinopathy:
A diabetes-related eye condition caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina, leading to blurred vision, floaters, and potential vision loss.
- Macular Degeneration (Age-Related):
A progressive eye disorder that affects the macula, the central part of the retina, causing loss of central vision, distortion, and difficulty in recognizing faces. - Keratoconus:
A degenerative disorder where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, leading to blurred or distorted vision, glare, and increased sensitivity to light.
Top 10 Arishta in Ayurveda and Their Uses
Best Ayurvedic Medicines for Eyesight Improvement
Ayurvedic treatment for eyesight focuses on balancing the tridoshas, nourishing the eye tissues, and strengthening the optic nerves. By incorporating classical Ayurvedic eye treatments, herbal remedies, Panchakarma therapies, and eye-specific Rasayana formulations, individuals can experience significant improvement in vision, prevention of degenerative conditions, and improve overall ocular health.
Ayurvedic Eye Drops and Herbal Remedies
Ayurvedic remedies for eyesight focus on rejuvenating the optic nerves, reducing ocular inflammation, and improving vision clarity. Some of the best herbs and formulations include:
- Triphala (Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Haritaki): Known for its rejuvenating properties, Triphala helps detoxify the eyes, reduce strain, and enhance overall vision.
- Yashtimadhu (Licorice): Commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for dry eyes, licorice soothes irritated eyes and supports tear production.
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Amla helps reduce eye strain and fatigue, enhances night vision and clarity, and prevents cataracts and age-related vision loss.
- Ghee (Clarified Butter): Ghee soothes dry eyes, strengthens optic nerves, and reduces eye puffiness.
- Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha helps reduce stress and improve vision.
Ayurvedic herbal formulations include:
- Jivantyadighrita
- Traiphalaghrita
- Dhanadanayanadikashayam
- Saptamritalauham Tablet
- Triphala tablet
- Elaneerkuzhampu
- Triphalaguggulu tablet
- Pathyakshadhatryadi kashayam
Disclaimer: Always consume Ayurvedic formulations under the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Dietary Modifications for Better Vision
An Ayurvedic diet for eyesight improvement focuses on pacifying the doshas, nourishing the eye tissues, and strengthening optic nerves. Recommended foods include:
- Include food rich in antioxidants, vitamin A (green leafy vegetables), omega-3 fatty acids (codfish and salmon), and protein (eggs and nuts).
- Avoid a high-carbohydrate diet and food with saturated fats.
- Avoid the consumption of refined sugar, excessive alcohol, excessive caffeine, and high salt intake.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lukewarm water or herbal teas.
Lifestyle Recommendations for Healthy Eyes
Consistent lifestyle practices help prevent vision deterioration and support natural eye rejuvenation. Ayurveda emphasizes:
- Practice daily eye exercises and Trataka (a yogic eye-gazing practice) to strengthen eye muscles and improve focus.
- Avoid prolonged screen exposure; follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
- Use rose water or Triphala eyewash regularly for cleansing and relaxation.
- Follow a daily routine that includes head and foot massage with Ayurvedic oils to improve circulation to the eyes.
- Ensure 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep.
- Reduce stress with pranayama, meditation, and yoga to maintain hormonal and ocular balance.
Panchakarma & Specialized Therapies for Eye Disorders
Ayurvedic treatment for eyesight focuses on balancing the vitiated doshas, eliminating toxins from ocular channels, and rejuvenating the optic nerves. These therapies help restore visual clarity and strengthen ocular tissues. The recommended therapies include:
- Netra Tarpana helps relieve eye strain and stress, improve vision, relieve dryness and fatigue, nourish optic nerves, and prevent age-related eye disorders.
- Nasya helps manage various eye conditions, including dry eyes, eye strain, and cataracts.
- Netra Seka helps hydrate and moisturize the eye, eliminate toxins, reduce eye strain, relax the ocular muscles, soothe inflammation, improve ocular circulation, and reduce eye fatigue.
- Anjana helps cleanse the eyes, relieve eye strain, enhance circulation, and promote visual clarity.
- Padabhyanga stimulates specific nerve endings in the feet that are connected to the visual pathways and help relieve eye strain, improve vision, and prevent eye conditions.
- Bidalaka helps reduce pain, swelling, burning sensation, redness, and discharge from the eyes.
- Shirovasthi promotes relaxation and strengthens the nervous system.
- Aschyotana helps reduce symptoms such as pain, itching, burning sensation, excessive watering, redness, congestion, inflammation, irritation, or foreign body sensation
- Shirodhara helps reduce stress-induced visual fatigue and enhances overall eye health.
Eye disorders demand a holistic approach for lasting eye health. Ayurveda offers a time-tested, natural solution by addressing the root causes that lead to vision problems. With therapies like Aschyotana, Netra Tarpana, and herbal remedies, combined with diet, daily routine, and yoga, Ayurveda strengthens and rejuvenates eye function from within.
If you are seeking authentic and effective Ayurvedic care for eye health, Back to Roots Kerala provides expert-guided treatments rooted in tradition and tailored to your needs. Reconnect with your vision with Back to Roots Kerala.
FAQs
- What is the best ayurvedic medicine for improving eyesight?
Triphala, Amla, Haridra, Yashtimadhu, and formulations like Saptamrit Lauham and Triphalaghrita are among the best Ayurvedic medicines for improving eyesight. Always consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before consuming Ayurvedic formulations for vision.
- Can Ayurveda cure cataracts naturally?
Ayurveda can help slow the progression of cataracts and support eye health through therapies, herbal formulations, diet, and lifestyle.
- Are Ayurvedic eye drops safe for daily use?
Ayurvedic eye drops like Elaneer Kuzhampu and Triphala eyewash are generally safe for daily use under professional guidance.
- Which ayurvedic medicine is beneficial for dry eyes?
Yashtimadhu (licorice), ghee, and Triphala are effective Ayurvedic remedies for managing dry eyes.
- Is myopia reversible with Ayurveda?
Myopia, or nearsightedness, causes distant objects to appear blurry while close-up vision remains clear. Ayurveda can help manage and possibly delay its progression through herbal remedies, eye exercises, diet, and therapies like Netra Tarpana.
