Night blindness, or nyctalopia, can often be managed and sometimes improved, depending on its underlying cause. In many cases, it’s related to a deficiency in vitamin A, as you’ve read. If that’s the case, addressing this deficiency can improve your vision. However, it’s vital to identify exactly why night blindness is occurring for you.
From a Siddha-Ayurvedic perspective, ensuring there’s balance in the doshas, particularly Pitta and Kapha, is crucial because they govern the eyes’ health and overall vision. Pitta imbalance, for instance, can create excess heat and inflammation which might affect eye health, while Kapha imbalance could lead to obstructions in the eye’s functioning.
Here are a few recommendations that could help you:
1. Dietary Adjustments: Increase intake of foods rich in natural sources of vitamin A. These include greens like spinach, collard greens, or herbs like coriander leaves. Consuming yellow and orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin can also be beneficial.
2. Herbal Supplements: Consider adding Triphala powder to your regimen. Triphala can support eye health and strengthen the optic nerves, consumed with warm water at night. Before starting any supplement, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner.
3. Practice Eye Exercises: Regular eye exercises can help improve blood flow and reduce strain. Rotating the eyes in circles, focusing on near and distant objects alternatively, and palming (covering the eyes with the palms) can be incorporated into daily routines.
4. Avoid strain and glare: Minimize exposure to bright screens or direct artificial lights. Protective eyewear with a blu light filter could help if you’re frequently on screens.
5. Regular eye exams: Continuing to engage with your primary healthcare provider is essential as they can track any changes and provide guidance if you need more intensive care or adjustments to your approach.
Remember, if your night blindness has other cause like retinitis pigmentosa or diabetes-related damage, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider for optimal management. Always avoid delayign conventional treatment if advised by your physician for serious underlying causes.
