Eye Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Ophthalmic allergies are correlated with Abhishyanda in Ayurveda. It is usually triggered when eye react to environmental allergens. This reaction happens when the body's immune system overreacts to something typically harmless, releasing chemicals like histamine that cause symptoms like itching, redness, watering, and swelling.

Common Causes:

1. Environmental causes

● Environmental pollution

● Intense sunlight

● Wind

● Pollen from trees, grasses, weeds 

● Dust mites found in household dust

● Pet dander from animals like cats and dogs

● Mold spores

2. Dietary cause 

● Poor diet

● Excessive salt and spices

● Incompatible food (curd and fish, intake of curd at night) 

● Caffeine

● Alcohol and fermented items

3. Lifestyle 

● Stress

● Excessive screen time

● Certain cosmetic products

● Night awakening

Symptoms:

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may affect one or both eyes.

● Itching

● Redness

● Burning sensation

● Watering of eyes

● Swollen eyelid

● Gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes

● Blurring of vision 

In chronic cases

● Photophobia 

● Heaviness in eyelids

● Sticky eye / pus discharge

Treatments:

In Sreedhareeyam, we mainly focus on the purification of the body (shodhana) and pacification (shamana), along with diet and regimen.

Always consider a gut-eye axis before starting a treatment. Mere administering external therapies wouldn’t help in pacifying the deep-rooted ailments for eye allergy. It requires a proper detoxification like Amapachanam(metabolising the toxins), deepanam(digestive stimulant) and purificatory treatments like Virechanam(purgation). Along with immunoboosters and internal medication and purificatory therapies, external treatments like Netrakriyakalpas can help in treating eye allergies.

i. Aschothanam: (eye drops) the first line of treatment for eye diseases

ii. Netra Sekam: (eye wash) is used to reduce inflammation, redness, and itching 

iii. Raksthamokshanam: (bloodletting) is used to drain vitiated blood and reduce hyperemia, for severe inflammation and redness. 

In later stages, after addressing the inflammation, then 

iv. Nasyam: (Nasal instillation) clear head channels (Srotas) and prepare for other treatments to improve efficacy

v. Anjanam : (Collyrium)

vi. Tarpana: (Retention Therapy) Indicated for chronic dry eye, deep nourishment, and strengthening ocular tissues.

These treatments aim to reduce the allergic reaction and alleviate discomfort

Diet:  

● Avoid spicy and oily foods

● Drink a lot of water

● Increase usage of Green leafy vegetables, Cucumber, Snake guard

Regimen: 

● Cold compression of rose water

● Eyewash with Triphala or Rose water 

● Practice foot massage 

● Avoid rubbing of eyes

● Reduce screen time

● Don’t splash water into eyes

● Hand hygiene 

● Clean your premises 

● Practice Yoga and meditation

● Proper sleep

Follow seasonal regimens and avoid dusty and allergy-prone situations based on bodily conditions.

Sreedhareeyam has a wide range of medicines which help in the management of ophthalmic allergies. It starts from improving the immunity with immune boosters. Netramrurtham, Eye Plus have the potential for reducing inflammation. Medicines like Chakshushya rasayana, Triphala rasayana help in rejuvenation. Treatments aiming at detoxification, purification and channel cleansing along with antioxidants, increase ocular immunity, maintain recovery and avoid regression. It is always advised to consult an Ayurvedic Practitioner for a personalized care and prevent complications from self-treating.