subject: Eye care through Unani System of Medicine [print this page] "Eyes are the window to the mind" A pair of sparkling eyes is the most beautiful and attractive features in person, One need not emphasize the importance of the eyes. Eyes were greatly valued by ancient Indians and much importance has been accorded to their protection.
Unani has identified three important factors being responsible for the causation of all types of diseases which include Ophthalmic problems too:
1. Incompatible contact of sense organs (eyes) with their respective sensations.
2. Misuse of intellect.
3. Abnormal cycles of seasons
To Overcome these three factors, ancient medical scholars prescribed specific diet drugs and practices out of these three, practices play a central role in the prevention and cure of eye diseases. Practices advised for the protection of the eyes such as (massage of feet) (cold water applications) are mentioned in various texts of unani . Solar therapy found in resembles therapeutic principles of yoga and naturopathy.
It would be observed that the contemporary yoga movement supported it's philosophical values and got shrouded with art of physical cultures. This phase is characterized by rapid movement which includes adaptation of procedures to protect the eyes from different affections.
In the present times new eyes diseases have become a major threat to the mankind and hense significance of multi-disciplinary approach become mandatory. Integration of concepts of unani preventive ophthalmology, principles of yoga and naturapathy and traditional practices of eye exercises are essential to tackle eye problems.
A. EYE EXERCISES
For correction of refractive errors and the cure for other eye diseases the following exercises are advisable. All exercises should preferably be performed twice daily, i.e., morning and evening.
1. Sunning
The eye is exposed to sun for a period of 5 minutes daily. First, apply the sun drops made with garlic juice and honey with a glass rod in each eye, after that sit facing the sun with eyes closed and chin raised, then sway your body from side like a pendulum for 5 minutes.
2. Eye Wash
After sunning, come to shade and rinse your eyes by blinking about 20 times in to weak solution of Triphala using a pair of eye cups filled to the brim. Eye wash is very effective in toning up the eye muscles and the surrounding tissues.
3. Palming
Sit comfortably with your eye closed and covered by your palms (the fingers being crossed upon the forehead). Elbows should rest on a cushion in such a way so as to avoid pressure on the eye ball. Perfectly black field is experience before the eyes. Improvement in eyesight and feeling of relaxation and relief of pain and sense of coolness in the head can be experienced. This exercise can be practiced several times during the day. Morning is best suited. Fatigue, noise, hunger, anger, worry or depression are conditions which make palming difficult. While palming take deep breathing. It improves the accuracy and sensitiveness of eyes, nerves and mind. Have deep breathing and keep the mouth closed. See that more time is taken for exhalation than inhalation and continue the exercise till you complete one hundred respiration.
4. Swinging / Shifting
Moving the eye from one side to another is called shifting. Stationary objects appear to move in the direction opposite to the movement of the head and eyes. For example, when you travel in a fast moving train, telephone poles and other objects (though stationary) appear to move in the opposite direction. The eyes gets rest only when it is moving. Shifting can be practiced both either with eyes open or closed.
Stand one feet apart in front of a board with vertical bar like structures, and move your body from right to left or vice versa 50 to 100 times. Keep eye and the sight shifting along with the movement of your head and blink at each end. Observe that the bars appears to move in the opposite direction.
The right way to swing is to move the eyes from one point to another slowly, regularly, continuously, restfully, easily without effort and without trying to see any other object. Do not stare at objects and make no effort to fix your sight at them. Lazily shift your sight from one point to another without having any idea that you are seeing the object. Blink once on each side. Move your head, eyes and body rhythmically from side to side.
5. Candle Flame
Sit facing the candle flame about one feet apart and gently move the body forward and backward with the rhythm of respiration. Continue the exercise till you complete 25 to 100 respiration.
6. Candle Light Reading
Fine point reading is beneficial to the eye. It saves the eyes from cataract, glaucoma or other old age diseases of the eyes. Shift the sight on while line of fine point and blink at the end each line. Read the print in good light and candle light alternatively without glasses with each eye separately. The book is held at a distance from which it could be seen best. The patient should not look directly at the letters but just at the white spaces between the lines of print and imagine that they are perfectly white. Move the head a little from side and blink often.
7. Playing with the Ball
Toos the ball to the ground and observe the bouncering ball moving your sight and head at the same time. Increase the speed of the ball and continue the exercise for about 50 to 100 times. After this toss the ball from one hand to another hand and move your head and the eyes along with the ball, and blink when yo catch the ball, Repeat it for 50 to 100 times.
8. Vapourisation
Put two or three drops of eucalyptus oil or crystals of menthol in boiling water and by covering your head allow the vapour to strike on your face and keep blinking for sometime till you perspire.
9. Cold Pads
Wipe out the perspiration and put cotton pads, soaked in cold water and squeeze, on your closed eyes and relax for 10 minutes.
Tirpbala Preparation:
Take one cup of water and teaspoonful of triphala powder. Boil the water and filter it, when it is lukewarm. Fill up the eye cupa and wash the eyes. Fresh should be prepared for each application.
B. GENERAL REGIMEN TO PRVENT EYE DISEASES
Those who wish to have prolonged healthy vision, should keep the value of practices and daily regimes prescribed by ancient scholars. Some of them are as follows:
Massage of feet: Regular massage of feet with gingel oil with ensure clear eyesight and prevention of eye diseases.
Cold water application
Keeping mouthful of cold water 2 t0 4 time a day will keep good eyesight and ensure good vision.
Instillation of few drops of cold water into the eyes 3 to 4 times a dat is beneficial for vision.
Keeping the wet palms over eyes, washing hands after each meal, prevents refractive errors, cataract etc.forever.
One should use warm water for bath. Hot water if used daily on the head, it lessens the eyesight.
C. AVIOD HARMFUL PRACTICES LIKE.. Excessive consumption of alcohol.
Chewing of betel leaf with tobacco
Day sleep.
Cataract
What you should know about cataract
How common is the prevalence?
Cataract is clouding of the lens of eye, where the clear lens loses its transparency and focusing quality. It is common in elderly people, who are over the age 50. Approximately 50% of human population between the ages 60 and 74, and 70% over the age 75 have cataract.
What causes cataract?
There is no specific cause identified, but the following are considered as risk factors :
* Advancing age with improper care of eyes.
* Cigarette smoking
* High cholesterol and triglycerides
* Diabetes mellitus
* Eye injury
* Excessive exposure to sunlight
* Improper nutrition
Signs and symptoms of cataract
In the very early stages of cataract no significant symptom may appear. As time passes, some of the following symptoms may appear :
* Hazy vision
* Glaring of sun light
* Sharp edges are difficult to make out
* Streaks or rays of light as if comes from light sources
* Circular ring surrounding the light
* Rainbow like semi circle
* Difficult reading in dim light
Psychological impact of cataract
Cataract can affect an individual psychologically also resulting in following
Tips to prevent cataract
* Avoid cigarette smoking
* Avoid continuous eye strain for a long time
* Avoid watching TV or working on computer for a long time.
* Avoid direct sun light
* Use medicated dye drops like CMS
* Take nutritious diet, particularly food that contains vitamins A, B, and C.
* Rest your eyes by closing them for a while, especially when you have been working with computer, watching TV, reading etc. for a long time.
* Take liquid diets often such as fresh juice, water and milk.
* Do regular eye care and protection from dust, radiation, injury and infection.
