WHAT PROBLEMS OF EYES CAN BE TREATED THROUGH YOGA?

Eye strain -- Eye Pain, excess tears Computer related eye problem Errors of refraction Glaucoma Dry eyes ARMD Early cataract Allergies Uveitis diabetes

 Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, and Presbyopia

MYOPIA -

Short sight

HYPEROPIA- long sight

.

ASTIGMATISM
irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye - distortion of the image

Spectacles for Short sight concave lens divergent lens

Spectacles for long sight Converging convex lenses

PRESBYOPIA- aging soft and flexible lens becomes rigid -affects close range reading.

Yoga for problems of eyes

Glaucomaincreased pressure of fluid in chamber in front of the lens

Vision blurred nerve damage

Glaucoma
Open angle closed angle

causes

40+ years of age blood relative with glaucoma high blood pressure diabetes

cataract
60+ years of age blood relative with cataract diabetes -- early

Allergies of eyes

Age related macular degeneration

Squints

Diabetes and eyes

Errors of refraction Glaucoma Cataract Retinopathy- dot and blot hges proliferative retinopathy

China 1950 - Facial "Qi Qong" eye exercises Postulated massaging, acupuncture pressure points around the eye improves venous blood circulation, relaxes the muscles, reduces eye strain. The evidence from two non-randomised studies conducted in Singapore and Taiwan were inconclusive.
Shih YF et al.(1995) The effects of Qi-Qong ocular exercise on accommodation. Chin J Physiol 38:3542. Rajan U et al. (1998) Acupressure point massage for myopia. VII International Conference on Myopia Program Taipei, Taiwan. Myopia International Research Foundation.

Visual training may change the way the autonomic nervous system regulates the accommodative process.

Angi MR et al. Changes in myopia, visual acuity, and psychological distress after biofeedback visual training. Optom Vis Sci 1996;73:3542.

AAO - Visual Training for Refractive Errors (October 2004) Educational Resource Center Level I evidence - Visual training for control of accommodation has no effect on myopia. level II/III evidence - Improvement in subjective visual acuity in myopes after visual training Interpreting blurred images, changes in mood or motivation, creation of an artificial contact lens by tear film changes, or a pinhole effect from miosis of the pupil.

 Yoga Lays great emphasis on the care of eyes for Physical and mental hygiene. Eye strain Vs Rest Yoga = Rest

MANAH PRASHAMANA UPAYAHA YOGAH

Annamaya Kosa Pranamaya Kosa Manomaya Kosa Vijnanamaya Kosa Anandamaya Kosa

PRACTICES AT ANNAMAYA KOSA

Kriyas & Asanas Shatkriyas, Shithilikarna Vyayama and Yogasanas Trataka stimulate the optical system develops stamina.

TECHNIQUES USED IN SVYASA

TRATAKA using a candle or an oil wick i. Bhrumadhya and nasagra Trataka central fixation ii. Vama Jatr (left shoulder), Dakshina Jatr (Right shoulder) & Ubhaya jatr Trataka (defocussing) iii. Urdhwa mukha and Adho mukha Trataka. (upward & downward focusing)

 Asanas Ardha cakrasana, padahastasana, Shasankasana, Ustrasana & Shavasana opthalmic disorders Principle stimuli & relax stretch & relax at muscular level increase & decrease blood flow to different parts fast & slow breathing harmonising the sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous systems.

PRACTICES AT PRANAMAYA KOSA

PRANAYAMA Kriyas, Breathing practices & Pranayama Kapalabhati : 50 -100 brt/mt. Sectional breathing : 15-16brt/mt. Abdominal, Thoracic, Upper lobar and full Yogic breathing - 9rds each. Nadisuddhi, Sitkari & Bhramari 5rds each

PRACTICES AT MANOMAYA KOSA

PRANAYAMA Emotional control and harnessing the will Love : softening the emotions, Surrender likes and dislikes & attunement with the cosmic will Soothing prayers, Envigorating namavilas, Sour stirring bhajans, Pacifying vedic hymns etc.,
Erases the mental imbalances and the subconscious emotional suppressions (Adhi which is the root cause for vyadhi)

PRACTICES AT VIJNANAMAYA KOSA UPANISHADS : Repositories of the knowledge of right value systems Conclusions of Upanishads Silence the causal state of Mind Silence state of all creation
Erases deep rooted inner psychological conflict base for psychosomatic and psychiatric problems.

Late-onset myopes showed significantly extended accommodation response times after a sustained near vision task that was demonstrable under well-controlled experimental conditions. The association between sustained nearwork requiring high levels of ocular accommodation and the development of myopia has been well documented.
1. Goldschmidt, E. (1968) On the etiology of myopia: An epidemiological study Acta Ophthalmol Scand Suppl 98,1-172 2. Rosenfield, M, Gilmartin, B. (1998) Myopia and Nearwork Butterworth Heinemann London.

Epidemiologic studies have also shown a correlation between the amount of nearwork and the onset and subsequent progression of myopia.
1. Angle, J, Wissmann, DA (1978) Age, reading and myopia Am J Optom Physiol Opt 55,302-308. 2. Richler, A, Bear, JC (1980) Refraction, nearwork and education: A population study in Newfoundland Acta Ophthalmol Scand 58,468-478

Preparatory eye exercises

JYOTHI TRATAKA

Bhrumadhya Trataka

Nasagra Trataka

Vama Jatr Traka, Daksina Jatr Trataka

Ubhaya Jatr Trataka

Eye wash with palm

Eye immersion in cup

Using Basic set of Yogic practices 1. SHORT TERM : 2 weeks a. No. of cases studied : 28 Myopia 27 Hyperopia 1 b. Sex : F-18, M 10 c. Age : 13 50 d. Refractive Errors range: -0.75 8.5

MYOPIA YOGA : a Short-term pilot study (2-weeks)

N Rt Eye 22 Before after Lt Eye 22 Before after Mean -2.61 -2.35 -2.91 -2.69 Std. Dev Sig. (2-tailed) 1.58 1.54 2.11 2.11 0.001 0.001

N =22, error : -0.75 to -5.00 N = 4, error : -5.5 to -8.00

- Sig. change - No change 10% change were found

Using Basic set of Yogic practices 1. FOLLOW-UP STUDIES: 6 mon 2 yrs a. No. of cases studied : 11 b. Sex : F-1, M 10 c. Age : 10 50 d. Refractory Errors range: -0.50 to -5.5

MYOPIA YOGA : a Long-term pilot study (6 months - 2 years)

N Rt Eye 11 Before after Lt Eye 11 Before after Mean -3.05 -2.68 -3.07 -2.73 Std. Dev Sig. (wilcoxon) 2.04 1.92 2.79 2.63 0.026 0.066

BASIC SET OF YOGIC PRACTICES Total 10 min

1. CLEANING PRACTICES
a. Splashing b. Eye wash with palm c. Eye immersion in cup d. Jala Neti & Catheter Neti Every day before taking bath and night before going to bed

2. EYE MUSCLES STRENGTHENING PRACTICE

Total 22 min TRATAKAS A. JYOTHI TRATAKA (using an oil wick lamp) 10 min Focussing 3 times (1mt, 2mt & 3mt) Swinging Alternate Eyes Trataka at least once a day

Other Tratakas Bhrumadhya Trataka Nasagra Trataka Urdhvamukha Trataka

Vama Jatr Traka Daksina Jatr Trataka Adhomukha Trataka

Defocussing Ubhaya Jatr Trataka B. KAPALABHATI

3. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Total 38 min a. Plaming, Blinking and winking (inter spaced althrough the practices) b. Asanas Pada Hastasana 3 min Ardha Cakrasana 2 min Sasankasana 3 min Makarasana 2 min Bhujangasana 2 min Savasana 5 min

c. Asanas Nadi Suddhi : 5rds 3min Sitkari : 5 rds 2min Bhramari : 5 rds 2 min

4. APPLICATIONS
Total 30 min to 1 hr 1. Reading in relaxation : 15 min to 30 min 2. Special reading 3. Small print reading 4. Anusandhana : 5 min : 5min