Ayurvedic treatment for Astigmatism

Astigmatism comes under a group of eye problems known as refractive errors. Before coming to refractive errors and Astigmatism, we have to know what refraction is in the eye and its role in developing vision.

Refraction is the deviation of light rays when it passes from one medium to another. There are four such media in our eyes.

• The external layer of the eyeball is known as the cornea.
• A fluid medium behind the cornea known as aqueous humor
• A more or less had gelly like medium behind the aqueous humor. It is biconvex in shape and is known as a crystalline lens.
• A jellylike semifluid medium behind the lens is vitreous humour.

The light rays reflected from the external objects travel through the air parallel, and it reaches the cornea. The first refraction happens when these rays pass from the air to the cornea. i.e., it deviates towards the centre. And the light rays again passes through the cornea and all other media. Similar deviations of light rays happen when it passes through all these four media. As a result of these refractions, the light rays converge at a particular point on the retina.

Then, a series of reactions start in these retinal cells. Photochemical, electrical, and nervous changes are the main among them. As a result of these changes (responses), a nerve impulse gets formed. Light rays reflected from the object carry all the object’s details along with this. So, when they converge and create an impulse, it represents the object. In short, the external thing turns into a biological factor. This impulse gets carried to the brain stem, and there it is converted to the actual visual sense.

If there is any abnormality in any refractive medium, the refraction may not happen as expected. So, the light rays may not converge appropriately on the retina. So, the further steps of sense formation will be disturbed. Any refraction defect in any refractive medium is a refractive error. Factors like structural, anatomical, physiological, and even pathological abnormalities can lead to refractive errors.

Astigmatism is one of such refractive errors mentioned above. The main reason for Astigmatism is the imperfect curvature of the cornea and lens. The surface should be uniformly spherical and smooth for normal refraction, and any deviation from these properties will cause Astigmatism. Sometimes, defects in the quality and quantity of fluid media (aqueous humor and vitreous humor) may contribute to refractive error development. If it is not focussing on a single point, the condition is generally known as Astigmatism. Spectacles and contact lenses are the common supporting aids for this handicap. Lasik correction is another surgical method. But Lasik is done on patients only after they attain 18 years of age.

Nowadays, people searching for remedial measures are coming to Ayurveda. The reasons are :

• They won’t like to wear spectacles – external glass pieces on their eyes
• Contact lenses are sometimes allergic and inconvenient for many people
• Lasik correction may precipitate thinning of cornea and dryness, which may later cause other ophthalmic pathologies
• They won’t like to make any non-reversible anatomic changes on their cornea
• People using spectacles understand that it is not part of treatment, but just a mechanical supporting aid only

Astigmatism is a common refractive error, characterized by the deviation of light rays passing through the eye’s refractive media. Refraction, the bending of light when it moves from one medium to another with a different refractive index, is essential for focusing light onto the retina.

However, if there are irregularities in the refractive surfaces or media of the eye, such as the cornea or lens, light rays may not converge on a single point on the retina, resulting in astigmatism.

Symptoms of astigmatism include blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, watering of the eyes, and sometimes squinting to obtain a clearer image. Modern treatments for astigmatism include glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK surgery.

In Ayurveda, treatment focuses on restoring balance to the body’s doshas (vata, pitta, kapha). Astigmatism may result from vitiation of vata or kapha doshas, affecting the movement of light rays or the refractive media’s surface irregularities. Treatment aims to correct these imbalances and restore normal refractive function.

Various Ayurvedic treatments may be employed, including massage therapies like shiro abhyanga (head massage) and thalam (application of oil on the head). Internal medicines strengthen ocular muscles, nerves, and tissues, while local ophthalmic medications may be applied directly to the eyes. Tharpanam, a procedure involving filling the eyes with medicated substances, is also used.

Treatment plans are tailored to individual patients, considering factors such as body constitution, eye strain, and the underlying cause of astigmatism. Progressive cases of astigmatism require prompt treatment to prevent worsening symptoms and potential lifelong issues.

Overall, Ayurvedic treatment for astigmatism aims to restore normal ocular function by addressing underlying imbalances and promoting ocular health.