Eyes

Eyes are the most important sensory organs which receive knowledge from the outer world. As per Ayurveda, eyes are structurally made of kapha consisting of soft muscles, the aqueous fluids, the fine muscles which help maintain the structure and provides the nourishment. The flexible lens helps in vision focusing and helping the retina to receive the image impression. Pitta dosha is responsible for perception of the vision and hence eyes are considered as the main site of pitta. The perception of vision is a very complex act of interplay between the finest muscles, the lens, the transparent aqueous fluid, the retina and the optic nerves which carries the impression to the brain for interpretation of the image. Eyes apart from sensory organ is also an important aspect of beauty of a person. As per Ayurveda eyes are very delicate, soft organ yet hold and important seat of Pitta dosha which is by nature hot and sharp. We all experience that any form of high temperature around us affects the eyes making it tired and irritating.

High temperature climate, exposure to sun, hot room environment, eating spicy food easily affects the eyes causing watering and redness. As per Ayurveda if this heat impact vitiates the pitta dosha it can lead to eye conditions like conjunctivitis, headache, eyes fatigue and impaired vision. The modern lifestyle which involves constant use of screen is a great assault on our eyes. The increase in screen time in all age is according to Ayurveda excess use of sensory organ and is considered as one of the important cause of diseases of eyes. Excess use of eyes leads to increase in pitta and vata dosha affliction of the eyes and diminishes healthy kapha in the eyes. One good example of this is the highest prevalence of refraction errors in South Korea because of high screen time, poor nutrition and not addressing it on time. In diabetes, glaucoma and degenerative conditions there can be poor nutrition to the eyes and optic nerves leading to rise in eye diseases. Ayurveda has formulated unique combinations of herbs, some in the form of medicated ghee which helps to provide good quality nutrition and mitigate the effect of increased Vata and Pitta dosha on the eyes.

Ayurveda has many useful guidelines about how to take care of our eyes through diet, seasonal care, therapies and lifestyle care. Being pitta dominant organ Cow’s ghee is considered to be very good protective and curative for the eyes.