Eye Allergy (Abhishyanda)

वातेननेत्राभिष्यन्देनासानाहाल्पशोफता l

Eye Allergies - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Eye allergy is the allergic reaction of eyes to various irritants usually associated with nose allergy. It is also called ocular allergy. In the recent years, incidence of eye allergy has been increasing due to rise in environmental pollution, industrialization etc.

Ayurveda is the only natural measure for the ultimate solution to managing eye allergies. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA is successfully managing eye allergies through unique herbal remedies along with following all the Ayurvedic classical measures.

Causes of Eye Allergy

Allergens that travel through air are the major causative factors of Eye Allergy. This includes:

Pollen grains
Dust
Molds
Fur and feather of pet animals
Some eye drops
Cosmetics
Contact lens – materials accumulated on the surface of lenses are responsible for causing allergy to the eyes

Ayurvedic Reference of Abhishyanda (Eye allergy)

Symptoms of Eye Allergy

When the allergens come in contact with eyes, body’s immune system produces antibodies that result in following symptoms that help to protect the eyes from harmful effects.

Itching
Redness
Burning sensation
Swollen eye lids
Increased sensitivity to light

Sometimes Eye allergy will be associated with nose allergy and skin allergy called Eczema.

As per Ayurveda, itching, watering, mild inflammation, dryness, foreign body sensation etc. are the symptoms of Abhishyanda.

Allergic conjunctivitis is the more commonly affected type of Eye Allergy.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the eyeball and eyelids. When allergens like dust, chemicals, some medicines, etc. come in contact with conjunctiva, it reacts with symptoms like itching, watering, burning sensation, inflammation, etc. Allergic conjunctivitis may be of 2 types – Acute or Chronic. The acute stage occurs when allergens cause a sudden reaction while in the chronic stage the symptoms come and go. People suffering from any other types of allergy, like skin allergy, asthma, etc. are more prone to be affected by Allergic Conjunctivitis.

“Dr. Gupta’s is successfully managing eye allergies through unique herbal remedies along with following all the Ayurvedic classical measures. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is the ultimate destination for treating eye allergy through completely natural Ayurveda measures”.

Visit us today and add rejuvenation to your eyes!!!

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet and Lifestyle in Eye allergy

Do’s (Pathya)

Following things can be practiced to reduce and prevent eye allergy.

Use sunglasses when go out
Keep surroundings clean
Use of cold compress
Practice of eye exercises

Don’ts (Apathya)

Exposure to dust, smoke and other allergens
Spicy food
Rubbing of eyes
Close contact with pets
Continuous use of computers, mobile phone and television

Yoga and Pranayama for Eye Allergy

Yogic postures like Sarvangasana, Savasana, Sukhasana are especially beneficial for the health of eyes. Pranayama helps to revitalize sense organs by ensuring proper blood supply. Tradaka is a particular eye exercise described in Ayurveda. It is done by staring on a specific point like a small dot or a light source (candle light).

Ayurvedic Treatment of Eye Allergy

Eye allergy can be completely cured through Ayurvedic medicines. Treatment includes internal medicines, local procedures on eye, purification therapy etc. Combination of various treatment modalities are executed depending on the condition of patient and stage of disease.

Internal Medicines

Following medicines can be administrated after analyzing the condition of patient:

Mahatraiphala Ghrta
Triphala churna
Drakshadi Ghrta

Haridra Khanta
Patoladi Ghrta

External Medicines and Local Procedures

There are specific medicines that are applied externally over eyelids to relieve edema and redness. Ayurveda has unique procedures by which medicines are applied over eyes through various methods. This includes Aschyotana (eye drops), Bidalaka (application of medicinal paste over eyelids), Pindi (Eye bandaging with medicinal bolus), Netradhara (pouring medicated water over eyes) etc. Following medicines are used for these procedures:

Pashupathavarthi
Shigruadi Eye Drops
Triphaladi Eye Drops
Bilwamuladi Eye Drops
Hriberadi Dhara

Purification Therapy

Whole body purification helps a lot to strengthen the immune system and also to improve the functioning of sense organs including the eyes. It includes:

Snehapana (Intake of large quantity of medicated ghee to prepare body for purification procedures)
Vamana (emesis)
Virechana (purgation)

Single herbs like Amalaki or Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) are also used in eye allergies.

References

Shloka No. 1-2, Sarvakshrogavijnaneeyam, Ashtangahrudayam by Acharaya Vagbhata, Uttarasthanam.
Vd. Yadavji Trikamji and Narayan Ram Acharaya, Sushruta Samhita Uttartantra 6/5, by Sushruta with Nibandhasangraha, commentary of Shri Dalhanacharya, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Edition Reprint 2010, p.603.
Prof. (Dr.) K.S. Dhiman. Shalakyatantra – Kriyakalpa Vidnyan, Ch. 9, Varanasi, published by Chaukhambha Vishwabharati, 1st edition 2013, p. 134-143.
Sharma Shiva Prasad. Editor. Uttara Tantra. 56. Vol. 19. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2006. Vriddha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Samgraha; p. 725.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Eye Allergy Chapter No. 03, Page No. 23-27.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How is Eye Allergy caused?

Answer: Eye allergy is caused by the contact of allergens like pollen, dust or some medications with the eye. Body’s immune system produces chemicals like histamines that bring out symptoms like redness, watering, itching, etc.

Question: What is Allergic Conjunctivitis?

Answer: Allergic Conjunctivitis is a condition characterized by itching, watering, burning sensation, inflammation of the eyes when allergens come in contact with the conjunctiva. Allergic conjunctivitis may be of 2 types – Acute or Chronic.

Question: Can Ayurveda provide complete cure for Eye Allergy?

Answer: Yes, Ayurveda can assure complete cure for Eye Allergy by various internal and external medicines, treatment procedures and body purification therapies.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment of Eye Allergy?

Answer: Eye allergy can be successfully treated through Ayurvedic treatment. Ayurvedic treatment includes administration of internal medicines, local eye procedures, purificatory therapies etc. The treatment depends on the condition of the patient.

Question: What are the causes of Eye Allergy?

Answer: There are various causes of Eye Allergy such as: pollens, air pollution, smoke, perfumes, specific food items, insect bites, certain reactions of medicines etc. cause inflammation.