Ophthalmologist said my eye strain is normal, but it’s getting worse – can Ayurveda help? - #16538

In Ayurveda, eye strain, especially from prolonged screen time, is often associated with an imbalance in Pitta, which governs heat, sharpness, and vision. To balance Pitta, incorporating cooling and soothing herbs can help, and Triphala is excellent for promoting eye health and reducing strain. You can take Triphala as a powder (half a teaspoon mixed with warm water) before bedtime. For additional support, using Nasya treatment with a soothing oil like Anu Taila can help cleanse and lubricate the nasal passages, benefiting the eyes and reducing strain. Oiling the scalp with cooling oils like coconut oil or Brahmi oil can also help relax the eyes and reduce tension. Besides herbal remedies, focus on diet by incorporating cooling foods like cucumbers, melons, and dairy products, and avoid too much spicy or oily food that could aggravate Pitta. Regular breaks, proper hydration, and ensuring adequate sleep are also key to managing eye fatigue.

Your symptoms—eye strain, dryness, mild burning, and occasional blurriness—are classic signs of Pitta aggravation in Ayurveda. Since the eyes are primarily governed by Pitta, excessive screen time, stress, and heat can lead to irritation and fatigue. Weak digestion may also be playing a role by preventing proper absorption of eye-nourishing nutrients. While your ophthalmologist confirmed no major vision issues, Ayurveda focuses on strengthening the eyes from within rather than just managing symptoms. One of the best Ayurvedic remedies for eye health is Triphala. You can take ½ tsp of Triphala powder with warm water at night to detoxify and strengthen your eyes. Additionally, Triphala eye wash can be very soothing—soak 1 tsp of Triphala powder in warm water overnight, strain it well, and rinse your eyes with it in the morning. Another powerful remedy is Netra Tarpana, where pure cow ghee is applied to the eyes to relieve dryness and strengthen vision. You can also take Amla juice (10-15 ml daily) as it is rich in Vitamin C and rejuvenates eye tissues. Your diet plays a major role in eye health. To balance Pitta, reduce spicy, fried, and excessively sour foods and focus on cooling foods like ghee, coconut water, cucumbers, and fennel seeds. Drinking soaked almonds blended with milk and a little saffron nourishes the optic nerves and improves eye strength. Additionally, applying cotton pads soaked in rose water or cold milk over your closed eyes for 10 minutes can reduce heat and irritation. Nasya therapy (2 drops of Anu Taila in each nostril daily) also helps remove toxins and strengthens the eyes. Incorporating simple eye exercises like palming (rubbing hands and placing them over closed eyes) and following the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) can significantly reduce digital strain. If you follow these remedies consistently, you should notice improvement in 2-4 weeks. Have you tried any Ayurvedic eye care practices before? Let me know so I can suggest further refinements!