- Written by Dr. Girish S. Varrier, Consultant at UWAY Health
Did you know that just as conventional medicine has a dedicated branch called ophthalmology for eye care, Ayurveda also has its own specialised discipline? It is known as Shalakya Tantra, one of the eight classical branches of Ayurveda. Ancient medical texts describe more than 70 eye diseases, along with their causes and treatment methods. In fact, Sushruta, often called the father of surgery, documented cataract surgery centuries ago. Many medical historians recognise this as one of the earliest descriptions of such a procedure.
Why This Matters Today
These days, our eyes are under pressure like never before. Long hours on computers, mobiles, and television screens have quietly turned problems like dryness, burning, and blurred vision into everyday complaints. It’s not just perception studies from across India confirm this trend.
A recent survey in Pune found that more than a third of patients (37%) were already reporting dry eye symptoms linked directly to screen use. Another study in Hyderabad among university students showed that three out of four suffered from headaches, while half struggled with burning, itching, or watering of the eyes—all clear signs of digital eye strain. Researchers have even described it as a “shadow pandemic,” estimating that it affects nearly seven out of ten adults and every second child.
What’s more worrying is that even the youngest are not spared. A national study reported that Indian children under the age of five now spend an average of 2.2 hours a day on screens double the recommended safe limit.
Conventional medicine usually steps in with eye drops, glasses, or surgery once the problem is well established. Ayurvedic medical protocols, however, focus on prevention, nourishment, and balance. The aim is not to wait until disease strikes, but to keep the eyes strong and resilient from within something that matters more than ever in today’s screen-heavy world.
The Ayurvedic Medical Perspective
According to Ayurvedic medical science, the eyes are primarily governed by Pitta dosha. When Pitta is balanced, the eyes stay bright and comfortable. But stress, irregular sleep, unsuitable food, or excessive screen time can disturb this balance, leading to redness, irritation, or vision strain. Treatment protocols therefore focus on cooling, lubricating, and strengthening the ocular tissues.
Diet-Based Protocols for Eye Care
Food plays a central role in maintaining ocular health. A Pitta-soothing diet is always recommended:
Cooling and hydrating items such as cucumbers, grapes, melons, coconut water, leafy greens, and ghee help reduce excess heat.
Amla (Indian gooseberry) provides vitamin C and antioxidants, protecting delicate eye tissues.
Triphala, a classical formulation, is prescribed both internally and externally (as an eye wash) for cleansing and strengthening.
Shatavari, green gram, barley, old rice, pomegranate, and dry grapes are commonly included in dietary advice for maintaining clarity of vision.
Think of these foods as fuel for your eyes—just as a lamp burns brighter with the right oil, your vision stays stronger with the right nourishment.
Lifestyle Protocols for Healthy Eyes
Along with food, daily habits play a big role in protecting the eyes. Ayurveda recommends:
Netra Vyayam (eye exercises): simple movements of the eyes to improve blood flow and reduce strain.
Trataka: steady gazing at a fixed point, often a ghee lamp flame, to tone ocular muscles and sharpen focus.
Eye hygiene: washing eyes with clean, cool water, or with doctor-prescribed herbal decoctions such as Triphala kashaya.
Stress management: yoga, meditation, and adequate sleep, which are as important as medicines in preventing fatigue.
Specialised therapies: under medical supervision, procedures such as Netra Tarpana (application of medicated ghee to the eyes), Nasya (nasal oil therapy), and Anjana (herbal collyrium) are used to address different conditions.
Preventive and Rejuvenative Benefits
Most people think about eye care only when a problem has already set in. Ayurvedic medical protocols turn the focus to prevention. By maintaining dosha balance and ensuring proper nourishment, they help reduce the risk of common conditions like dryness, redness, computer vision syndrome, and even early vision loss. Detoxification methods and daily routines further support long-term eye health by clearing toxins that interfere with normal function.
As you know the eyes are not just organs of sight they also reflect your overall health and vitality. Conventional medicine offers excellent interventions when disease progresses, but Ayurveda medical protocols recommends a steady care, through diet and lifestyle, which can delay or even prevent many issues from arising. By adopting simple, time tested Ayurvedic protocols alongside healthy modern habits, we can keep our eyes clear, bright, and resilient ready to meet the demands of today’s world.
About Author
Dr. Girish S. Varrier
Dr. Girish S. Varrier is an experienced Ayurveda doctor specializing in Shalakya Tantra (Ayurveda Ophthalmology & E.N.T.). He holds a B.A.M.S. and M.S. (Ayu) from S.D.M. College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Hassan, under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru.
