Refractive Errors (Myopia, Hypermetropia, Astigmatism)
1. Modern Explanation:
Refractive errors occur when light does not focus properly on the retina due to irregular shape of the eye. Types:
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Myopia (Nearsightedness)
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Hypermetropia (Farsightedness)
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Astigmatism (Blurred vision due to irregular cornea)
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Presbyopia (Age-related focus loss)
2. Signs and Symptoms:
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Blurred vision
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Eye strain
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Headaches
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Difficulty in reading or seeing distant objects
3. Ayurvedic Correlation:
🟢 Timira – A stage of Drishti Nasha (loss of vision) as per Sushruta, especially when early vision distortion is present.
Vyadhi Name: Timira (तमिर)
Stage: 1st or 2nd Patalagata Netraroga
4. Doṣa – Duṣya – Samprāpti:
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Doṣa: Predominantly Pitta + Vāta (dries up tears, deranges optic function)
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Duṣya: Rasa, Rakta, Māṃsa, and Majjā Dhātu
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Srotas: Rasavaha, Raktavaha, Majjavaha
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Samprāpti: Vitiated doṣas penetrate into different patalas of the eye, starting from 1st (cornea) to 4th (retina/optic nerve), causing progressive vision loss.
5. Śloka Reference:
सुश्रुत संहिता, उत्तर तन्त्र, 7/18:
"तत्र प्रथमपटलगतं दोषैः संपद्यते तिमिरं नाम..."
“संपतन्ति यदा दोषाः प्रतमा पटलं प्रति।
सञ्जायते तदा तिमिरं तद्रोगः सस्य कथ्यते॥”
🟤 Meaning: When doṣas enter the 1st layer of the eye (patala), Timira begins. If untreated, it progresses to loss of vision (Linganāśa).
6. Ayurvedic Management:
🔹 Local Therapies (Netra Kriyākalpa):
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Tarpana with Triphala Ghrita / Jeevantyadi Ghrita
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Anjana with Saptamrita Lauha powder
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Netraseka using Chandana-Jeevanti Kashaya
🔹 Internal Medicines:
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Saptamrita Lauha – 250 mg with honey – BID
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Triphala Ghrita – 5–10 ml at night
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Vasantakusumakara Rasa (if associated with diabetes or age)
🔹 Panchakarma:
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Nasya: Anu Taila / Shadbindu Taila – 5–6 drops daily
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Virechana: Mild Pitta-shāmaka virechana with Trivrit Lehyam
🔹 Pathya:
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Cow ghee, green gram, leafy vegetables, Amla, Triphala
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Avoid: Excess screen time, spicy/sour food, heat exposure
