Yoga Keeps Eye Healthy

The human eye is nature's most sophisticated camera. And sight is the result of an intricate mechanism within this camera. To understand problems of sight, it is necessary to peek within the eye and see this mechanism at work.

Our eyeball comprises three layers—sclerotic or the outer layer, choroid or the middle layer and retina or the inner layer. The sclerotic layer is white and opalescent, with a transparent center called the cornea.

Light is transmitted to the eye through the cornea. The choroid layer is called the iris, with the pupil in its center. Directly behind the iris lies the crystalline lens, which focuses light passing through it upon the retina. Around this lens lie the ciliary muscles that control its contraction and expansion. The retina or the inner layer is like a screen that receives the projected images of external objects.

You see something when the pupil lets light pass through the cornea onto the crystalline lens. Brightness is controlled by the pupil through contraction or dilation. These rays converge upon the retina via the convex crystalline lens, forming an inverse image. The optic nerve then transmits this image to the brain, producing the final sense of vision. Sight can be adversely affected by various things, ranging from malnutrition to a recurring cough and cold. Perhaps the three most common defects of eyesight are myopia (short-sightedness), hypermetropia (long-sightedness) and presbyopia (failing eyesight due to age). While in myopia, the image is formed short of the retina, in hypermetropia or presbyopia the image is formed beyond the retina. These conditions are the result of faulty eye muscle action or imperfect accommodation.

Generally, such disorders are corrected by introducing artificial lenses such as spectacles. These lenses bring the image onto the retina. But this amounts to treating the symptom, not the disorder of imperfect accommodation.

Yoga offers a host of corrective measures for defective eyesight. In fact, the best way of improving your eyesight is to stop using spectacles and follow the methods described here. Although for many it will not be possible to get rid of spectacles abruptly, they can be phased out gradually. Do not wear spectacles while doing the exercises.

JAL NETI
Jal neti (Nasal irrigation with water) keeps the sinuses, nasal tract and the throat free from infection. This, in turn, keeps the eyes free from congestion and strain, and improves vision. A special pot for jal neti, with a pointed spout rising from its base, is easily available and its use can be learned from any yoga instructor.

Neti should be practiced in the morning before pranayama. Use lukewarm water, slightly above body temperature, adding a little table salt. Salted water is more soothing than plain water, which hurts the nasal tract. If the habit of jal neti is inculcated in childhood, the person would never need spectacles. Even if it is practiced regularly at a later stage with other exercises and precautions, it will definitely help in getting rid of spectacles.

More about Eye Relaxation techniques in the next post.