Women’s susceptibility to autoimmune conditions, often with visual implications and age-related hormonal fluctuations, underscores the urgency of eye care

Women, who typically live longer than men, are exposed to the risk of eye diseases for a more extended period, making them more susceptible to visual impairment and blindness. Reports indicate that two-thirds of all cases of blindness and visual impairment occur in women. This higher prevalence can be attributed to several factors. Women are more likely to suffer from autoimmune conditions, which often have visual side effects.

Additionally, regular age-related hormonal changes can affect women’s eyes. For example, dry eye is more common in women, partly due to hormonal changes with aging. These factors underscore the importance of regular eye exams and proactive eye care in women’s health routines.

Incorporating Ayurvedic practices can significantly benefit eye health. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine that has been in practice for over 5,000 years, focusing on the balance of mind, body, and spirit.

Ayurvedic treatments for eye care include eye exercises, herbal remedies, and dietary recommendations that can help improve vision and prevent eye diseases. Ayurvedic treatments are tailored to the individual constitution (dosha) and ensure the restoration of balance and harmony in the body, which can positively impact eye health. Here are some essential measures women can incorporate with Ayurveda to safeguard their vision:

Regular Eye Exams: Dilation of eye which is the only way to know if your eyes are healthy and your vision is intact. Early detection and treatment of eye conditions can control vision loss.

Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations as per Ayurveda: Ayurveda promotes holistic practices, emphasising external treatments, physiological balance, and nutritional habits. Consuming various fresh fruits, mainly citrus fruits and green, leafy vegetables, supports optimal eye function and guards against age-related degeneration. Decreasing the use of electronic devices and minimizing digital visual distractions can also enhance eye health.

Additionally, incorporating non-meat protein sources like nuts and beans provides essential nutrients supporting eye health. Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and zinc protect your eyes from damage.

Ayurvedic Eye Care: Incorporating Ayurvedic interventions can help restore equilibrium and alleviate symptoms through personalized treatment regimens. Kriya Kalpa, or Ophthalmic Kriya Kalpa, is a series of medical procedures for treating specific eye diseases. Tarpana, for example, involves using medicated ghee to nourish the eyes and manage certain eye diseases. Putapaka, Seka, Ashchyotana, Bidalaka or lepa, and Pindi are other procedures that can benefit eye health. Practicing Nasya, which involves putting medicated oil or powder through the nasal route to cleanse the nasal passages, helps improve overall eye health.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity can increase the risk of developing diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy and vision loss.

Manage Chronic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and hypertension can affect your vision. Managing these conditions can help prevent eye complications.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking is linked to AMD, cataracts, and glaucoma. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing these conditions.

Know Your Family History: Many eye diseases are hereditary. Knowing your family history can help you and your eye doctor take steps to prevent or manage any potential issues.

Use Protective Eyewear and sunglasses: Protecting your eyes while performing regular household chores or yard work is necessary. Other than that, playing sports or working on a job involving flying debris, sparks, or chemicals needs to be checked. Therefore, start wearing safety glasses or eye guards made of polycarbonate. Sunglasses help in protecting your eyes from ultraviolet rays as prolonged exposure to sunlight can boost your risk of cataracts and AMD. The best remedy is to go for sunglasses blocking out 99-100 per cent UVA and UVB rays.

By prioritising these preventative measures and incorporating holistic approaches to eye care, women can significantly enhance their chances of maintaining clear vision and reducing the risk of debilitating eye diseases. Neglecting eye health can lead to severe consequences, including vision loss and impaired quality of life. However, with increased awareness and proactive steps, women can take charge of their eye health and ensure optimal vision and overall well-being for years.

(The writer is Director, Dr. Basu Eye Hospital; views are personal)