9 Tips For Healthy Eyes
Do you frequently experience eye strain? Are you someone who spends long hours in front of digital screens? Do you exceed the necessary screen time on your mobile, television, and computer? It is high time you pause and understand what is beneficial and detrimental for your eyes. Continuous eye strain can gradually lead to imbalances in the pitta dosha and create vulnerabilities to ocular and general health issues. Using Ayurvedic eye drops to follow a healthy diet are some ways to keep your eyes healthy.
As Per Ayurveda:
Being one of the most important sensory organs, your eyes are often taken for granted, subjecting them to strain and pain. According to Ayurvedic doctors, most eye problems arise due to pitta imbalance. It is essential for individuals in their 40s to exercise caution, as an imbalance in the alochaka pitta, the sub-dosha governing vision, can significantly impact eyesight.
During the scorching heat of the summer season, our eyes can become sensitive to light, dry, red, and irritated. Ayurvedic doctors strongly recommend practicing eye care rituals to keep the eyes cool, relaxed, and healthy. Factors such as stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy dietary habits, hormonal imbalances, and inadequate hydration can further deteriorate the health of our eyes.
Read More: Ayurvedic eye drops: Embracing Ayurvedic Wisdom for Eye Care
Tips to improve eye health:
Many individuals tend to neglect their eyes unless faced with an issue. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard one's well-being before encountering health concerns. With this in mind, here are a few amazing suggestions for natural eye care that can aid in averting eye problems and maintaining optimal vision.
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Nurture your eyes
Safeguard your eyes from the harsh influences of the elements—sun, wind, and water. These forces can disrupt the domestic equilibrium of your eyes, leading to vision disturbances, strain, and eye fatigue. Embrace protective measures such as wearing sunglasses, scarves, or caps to shield your eyes when confronted with the tumultuous elements.
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Mitigate stress
Stress poses as another adversary to the well-being of your eyes. When you experience tension, anger, or unhappiness, your eyes may appear swollen and lacklustre. Endeavour to avoid stressful situations to the best of your ability. However, as life unfolds, there may be unavoidable moments of stress. During such times, strive to respond with calmness and composure.
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Embrace eye-friendly nutrition
Take the time to understand your body's nutritional requirements, specifically for your eyes. Generally, nourishing foods for the eyes include coconuts, raisins, papaya, and sweet juicy fruits. Limit sugar consumption and minimize the intake of red meat, heavy meals, and fried foods. While these guidelines benefit everyone, it is advisable to consult a knowledgeable vaidya who can provide tailored advice based on your specific dosha imbalance that may be contributing to your eye issues. They can offer a personalized dietary plan and routine for optimal eye health.
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Use Ayurvedic Eye drops.
Ayurvedic eye drops offer numerous benefits and should be considered for various eye concerns. ISO Amrit Ayurvedic Eye Drops provide safe and natural relief from dryness, offering long-lasting moisture and restoring overall eye health. Isotine Eye Drops combine herbal ingredients to improve vision, reduce eye strain, and prevent infections. Isotine Gold, on the other hand, targets eye problems like cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. These Ayurvedic eye drops offer a wide range of advantages, such as improving vision, reducing eye strain and fatigue, relieving dryness and irritation, preventing infections, enhancing night vision and color perception, reducing eye pain, diminishing dark circles and puffiness, promoting eye health and longevity, improving tear production and lubrication, and alleviating eye strain from allergies or bright lights. By incorporating Ayurvedic eye drops into your eye care routine, you can support overall eye health, enhance vision clarity, and maintain eye comfort.
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Yoga And Exercises for healthy eyes
Ayurveda recognizes the beneficial effects of specific yoga asanas on eye health. Asanas like Shirshasana (headstand), Bhujangasana (snake pose), Shavasana (corpse pose) and Surya Namaskara (sun salutation) have a positive impact on the eyes by promoting healthy circulation to the blood vessels and capillaries. This increased circulation, known as srotas, nourishes the eyes and facilitates relaxation, potentially contributing to improved vision. Consistent practice of these Ayurvedic-inspired asanas over time can help maintain ocular well-being and support optimal vision. These exercises can help strengthen the eyes and promote overall eye health.
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Follow Palming Routine
Palming is a technique that can alleviate eye and brow tension, promoting long-term eye health and providing relief from discomfort.Rub your palms together vigorously for 8-10 seconds to generate a gentle warmth. Close your eyes and place your left palm over your left eye and the right palm over your right eye. Ensure that you do not press your eyeballs; let your palms gently rest on your eyes. Take slow, deep breaths to release any accumulated stress.Repeat this process 2-3 times.
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Follow morning routine for eyes
As part of a daily routine, Ayurveda suggests performing specific practices to support eye health. Upon waking in the morning, take water into your mouth and hold it briefly with closed eyes. Spit out the water and repeat this process 2-3 times. Then, splash your eyes and face with cool or slightly warm water around 10-15 times. It is important to avoid using hot or icy water on the eyes and to refrain from sudden temperature changes. For instance, if you are hot and sweaty, wait for your body to adjust for about 10-15 minutes before splashing cool water on your face and eyes.
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Diet for Eye Health
The food you consume plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal eye health, according to Ayurveda. To support your eyes, incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet, such as eggs, almonds, carrots, oranges, spinach, amla (Indian gooseberry), broccoli, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids which includes salmon, soybeans, and mackerel. Omega-3 fatty acids help in the production of the lubricating layer of the eyes, promoting their health.
To maintain a balanced pitta dosha, reduce or avoid spicy and salty foods. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids (especially water). You must avoid caffeine, cold, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. A balanced diet not only ensures good eye health but also assists in weight management, which is beneficial for those who may have sedentary work routines with minimal physical activity. -
Home Remedies for Eye Health
When it comes to addressing common eye health issues, Ayurvedic home remedies can be both effective and convenient. Here are a few remedies to maintain and improve eye health:
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the eyelids to alleviate dry eyes and related symptoms. Aloe vera also offers protection against ageing, fungal and bacterial infections, and sun damage.
- Add 3 to 4 drops of essential oil such as lavender or chamomile to a cup of warm water. Dip a clean washcloth in the mixture and place it over your eyes for 10 minutes. Repeat this twice a day to soothe the eyes and relieve irritation.
- To reduce eye inflammation, place grated or sliced potato on your eyes for 15 minutes daily before bedtime.
- Practice eyelid massage, known as abhyanga, using warm Brahmi or coconut oil for 10 to 15 minutes before bedtime. This helps relieve eye stress and promotes restful sleep, allowing your eyes to rejuvenate.
By incorporating these Ayurvedic home remedies into your routine, you can support your eye health naturally and experience the benefits of these time-tested practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it important to take care of your eyes before any problem?
Recognizing the significance of eye health and care goes beyond a few examples. First and foremost, the eye is one of the most vital organs in the human body. Our vision plays a crucial role in our social interactions and intellectual development. In fact, approximately 80% of the knowledge we acquire is through our eyes alone. Moreover, maintaining eye health is essential for a healthy brain. Our optic nerves establish a vital connection between the eyes and the brain, highlighting the significance of a healthy relationship between the two. By keeping our eyes in good condition, we can help contribute to the overall well-being of our brains. This, in turn, allows us to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Furthermore, when our vision is healthy, we can engage in athletic activities more effectively, navigate through driving and travel with ease, and enhance our learning and comprehension abilities. Therefore, taking care of our eye health is paramount. In this regard, it is also important to be aware of potential eye health hazards in order to avoid them.
What are some causes for poor eyesight?
Poor eyesight can be influenced by various factors, according to Ayurveda. Here's a brief compilation of some common reasons to be mindful of:
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Improper Nutrition:
In our fast-paced lives, neglecting proper nutrition can disrupt the balance of doshas in the body, including those related to eye health. Fast food, devoid of essential Ayurvedic nutrients like vitamins A, E, C, B, and proteins, can lead to poor eyesight.
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Infections:
Exposure to dust particles and pollutants can cause imbalances in the doshas and create a breeding ground for eye infections and allergies. Wearing protective glasses in dusty and windy environments and maintaining cleanliness by not touching the eyes with unclean hands can prevent the spread of infectious germs.
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Unprotected Screen Exposure:
Excessive screen time, a common aspect of modern lifestyles, can aggravate the Pitta dosha and strain the eyes. Ayurveda recommends using protective eye care glasses while viewing screens and taking regular breaks every 20 minutes to gaze away from the screen and allow the eyes to relax.
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Ageing:
As we age, the Vata dosha naturally increases, affecting eye strength and vision. While ageing is inevitable, following a proper Ayurvedic diet and incorporating eye-strengthening exercises can help slow down the degenerative process. Age-related eye care concerns are presbyopia, glaucoma, dry eyes, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and more.
What is Kriyakalpa?
Kriyakalpa refers to a collection of Ayurvedic treatments specifically designed for the eyes, utilizing medicated ghee and powdered formulations. These treatments, such as Tarpana, Putapaka, Seka, Anjana, Aschyotana, Pindi, and Bidalaka, aim to enhance eye health and address a range of eye conditions. Through the application of these specialized Ayurvedic treatments, individuals can experience improved eye well-being and find relief from various eye ailments.
What are the different fruits for healthy eyes?
When it comes to fruits that promote eye health, there are several options to consider. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, which helps maintain healthy blood vessels in the eyes. Apricots contain beta carotene, which is beneficial for overall eye health. Avocados provide protection against harmful sun rays due to their high lutein and zeaxanthin content. Mangoes are a great source of Vitamin A, essential for good vision. Papayas contain antioxidants and healthy enzymes that contribute to eye health. Apart from incorporating these fruits into your diet, Ayurvedic medicine for eyesight can also be beneficial. Ayurveda emphasizes the use of safe and sensitive eye care herbs, as mentioned in the previous sections, to support and maintain optimal eye health.