Ayurveda For Eyes: Expert Lists Tips To Protect Your Eyes During Heat Waves

Heat waves don’t just make us feel uncomfortable; they can be tough on our eyes too. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and bright sunlight can lead to issues like photokeratitis, which is like a sunburn for your eyes, and dry eye disease. Hence, it becomes important to know how to protect our eyes during heat waves. We spoke to our expert Dr Mandeep Singh Basu, Director, Jagat Pharma, Delhi, who listed eye care tips that you must follow this summer.

According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, there is evidence regarding eye health suggesting that heat impacts the inflammatory response of corneal cells. This phenomenon has also been linked to an increased susceptibility to various infectious viral conditions like herpes and viral conjunctivitis, as well as bacterial and fungal infections, alongside allergies.

Tips To Protect Eyes During Heat Waves

Here’s how Ayurveda suggests keeping your eyes safe during hot weather:

Eye Drops

“Ayurvedic eye drops made from cooling herbs like rose water, Triphala, and pure cow ghee can soothe and hydrate your eyes. They help with dry eyes and other discomforts from the heat”, said Dr Basu.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel is great for cooling and hydrating your eyes. Applying it around your eyes can reduce inflammation and speed up healing. In 2012, a study examining filtered aloe vera extract’s effects on human corneal cells found indications suggesting that aloe vera might possess properties capable of alleviating eye inflammation and dryness.

Also Read: How Summer Heat Can Impact Eye Health, Expert Lists Dos And Don’ts

Stay Hydrated

According to a review by Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, dehydration could potentially contribute to the onset of dry eye syndrome, cataracts, changes in vision, and diseases affecting the retinal blood vessels. Therefore, you should drink plenty of water to keep your eyes moist. Dehydration can make dry eyes worse, so make sure you’re drinking enough, especially when it’s hot. 

Ayurvedic Eye Wash

Dr Basu added, “Washing your eyes with Triphala powder or rose water can refresh them and remove any irritants. Triphala, made from amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki, has a calming effect.”

Protective Eyewear

According to a 2019 study, exposure to solar Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) and visible blue light can trigger various ocular conditions, such as cataracts, eyelid malignancies, uveal melanoma, photokeratitis, droplet keratopathy, and macular degeneration. “Hence, make sure that you wear sunglasses with UV protection when you’re outdoors. Look for ones that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to avoid eye damage from UV exposure”, added Dr Basu.

Also Read: Diabetes And Eye Damage: Expert Lists Ayurvedic Tips To Manage Eye Damage Due To High Blood Sugar

Cooling Diet

You should maintain a balanced diet and include cooling foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Foods like watermelon, cucumber, coconut water, and mint can help reduce body heat and inflammation.

Limit Sun Exposure

Try to avoid being out in direct sunlight for too long, especially between 10 AM-4 PM. Seek shade when you can and limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

Ayurvedic Herbs

Dr Basu said, “Some ayurvedic herbs can also help improve eye health during heat waves. Hibiscus tea can slightly lower blood pressure, which might be high due to the heat. Shatavari is a herb that cools and moisturises dry and inflamed eyes while Anantmool can also help relieve eye inflammation caused by heat.”

[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any eye issues to get the necessary treatment.]