Story continues below
The prevalence of myopia among Indian children has increased significantly over the past few years, especially in urban areas. From 4.44% in 1999, in 2019 she jumped to 21.15% and is predicted to further increase to 31.89% by 2030. This increase is due to generational effects, with myopia prevalence for all age groups expected to increase by 10.53 percent from 2020 to 2020. These statistics highlight the importance of immediate intervention and lifestyle adjustments to alleviate this worrying trend. Urgent proactive measures are essential to address the growing prevalence of myopia among children in India.
Understanding myopia and its contributing factors
Story continues below
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error in which distant objects appear blurry while nearby objects are clear. Dr. Mandeep Singh Basu, director of Basu Eye Hospital, says myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent among children due to several factors. He said some of the factors include smartphone and computer use. Studies have shown that the use of electronic devices by myopic children is associated with increased blue light exposure, which can lead to eye strain and macular degeneration. This problem is further exacerbated by reduced outdoor activity and pollutants in the environment.
Ayurvedic solution to myopia
Ayurveda provides holistic solutions for various health conditions including myopia and other eye diseases. Ayurvedic treatment aims to restore the balance of the body’s doshas, nourish the eyes, and improve the overall health of the eyes using natural remedies and therapies. Ayurvedic interventions for myopia include:
Story continues below
Tarpana therapy: Tarpana, an Ayurvedic eye care therapy, gently nourishes the eyes with medicated ghee or oil. This therapy helps moisturize the eyes, improve vision, and reduce dryness and inflammation. It is especially effective in the summer when your eyes tend to feel dry and uncomfortable due to the heat.
Panchakarma therapy: This detoxifying treatment removes toxins from the body, including the eyes, promoting clarity of vision.
Netravasti: The warm medicated oil pools around the eyes, moisturizing them and nourishing the tissues, improving vision.
Story continues below
Torataka: A yoga practice of concentrating on a candle flame to increase concentration and the ability to focus the eyes.
Triphala and amla intake: It is a traditional Ayurvedic formula consisting of three fruits – Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki, which are known for their eye-strengthening properties, Basu said. Consumption of triphala powder and amla naturally improves eyesight and helps prevent eye-related diseases. Choose dried amla fruit instead of candied fruit for maximum therapeutic benefits. Triphala supports overall eye health and may reduce symptoms of myopia.
Other method:
Incorporate eye-healthy nutrients into your diet. Bass says your diet should include leafy greens, carrots, fruits rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients support optimal eye health and may help prevent the progression of myopia.
Stay hydrated: You should drink water and nourishing fluids frequently to prevent eye dryness, which can worsen myopia symptoms.
Minimize processed foods: Reduce your intake of processed and refined foods, which can be deficient in essential nutrients and cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which can negatively impact eye health.
Limit your sugar intake: Limit your intake of refined sugar and sugary drinks, as excess sugar can lead to inflammation and worsen myopia symptoms.
Balanced diet: To boost eye health, include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet.
Check out the latest business news, Sensex, Nifty updates. Get Personal Finance insights, tax questions and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol app to stay updated.
