PREVENTIVE OCULAR HEALTH THROUGH EYE EXERCISES, YOGA PRACTICES, AND DINACHARYA: AN AYURVEDIC AND EVIDENCE-BASED PERSPECTIVE ON REFRACTIVE ERROR MANAGEMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21952421Keywords:
Refractive error, myopia prevention, Dinacharya, Kriyakalpa, Yoga, Anjana, Netra Tarpana, eye exercises.Abstract
Background: Refractive errors principally myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, represent the leading cause of correctable visual impairment globally, with myopia alone projected to affect nearly half the world’s population by 2050. While optical correction and refractive surgery dominate conventional management, concerns about cost, accessibility, and side effects have renewed interest in preventive and non-pharmacological approaches. Ayurveda, through its constructs of Dinacharya (daily regimen), Netra Vyayama (eye exercises), Yoga Kriyas, and Swastavritta (preventive lifestyle), offers a comprehensive framework for ocular health preservation.
Objective: The present review critically evaluates the role of structured eye exercises, yoga-based practices (mainly Trataka Kriya and Pranayama) and Ayurvedic Dinacharya in the prevention and early management of refractive errors in the context of classical texts and available clinical and experimental evidence.
Methods: A narrative review was done using classical Ayurvedic source texts (Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam, Charaka Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita) and contemporary peer-reviewed literature from PubMed, AYU Journal, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences (JAIMS), International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research and ResearchGate in the year range of 2000 to 2025.
Results: Classical texts enumerate several Dinacharya practices with explicit ocular benefit, including Anjana (collyrium application), Netraprakshalana (eye wash), Nasya, Padabhyanga, and Shiroabhyanga. Eye exercises based on the Bates method and Trataka Yoga Kriya showed statistically significant subjective improvement in visual clarity, asthenopia, and related symptoms in clinical studies, even though the objective change in refraction was small. Yoga-based interventions combining Trataka, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Shitali Pranayama, and Jala Neti showed comparable symptomatic benefit with favourable safety profiles.
Conclusion: Ayurvedic Dinacharya practices, eye exercises, and yoga kriyas offer a clinically meaningful preventive strategy for refractive error, particularly for reducing symptomatic burden, eye strain, and possibly slowing progression in early-stage myopia. Their systematic integration into public health recommendations for screen-age populations is strongly warranted.
Downloads
References
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 24 (Dinacharya Adhyaya). Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi; Reprint 2010.
Sushruta Samhita, Uttaratantra, Chapter 4. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi; Reprint 2010.
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 15/41. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi.
Vagbhata, Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana, Chapter 2. Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi; 2012.
Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam, Uttarasthana, Chapter 13, Verse 98. Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi; 2012.
Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam, Uttarasthana, Chapter 14. Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi; 2012.
Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Chapter 5. In: Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya (ed.). Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; 2011.
Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana, Chapter 26. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; 2011.
Swami Swatmarama. Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 2. Yoga Publication Trust, Munger, Bihar; 2012.
Gheranda Samhita, Chapter 1. In: Saraswati SN (trans.). Yoga Publication Trust, Munger; 2012.
Sharangdhara Samhita, Purvakhanda. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi; 2009.
Gopinathan G, Dhiman KS, Manjusha R. A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Trataka Yoga Kriya and eye exercises (non-pharmacological methods) in the management of Timira (Ammetropia and Presbyopia). AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda). 2012;33(4):543–546. DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.110536
Singh MK, Yadav RK, Agrawal OP. A clinical study on the effect of ocular exercise and yoga-based therapy for improving eyesight of myopia patients: An experimental study. National Institute of Medical Sciences, Jaipur. ResearchGate [Preprint]. 2021. Available at: researchgate.net/publication/353732706
Prasad A, Nair S. Scope of Ayurveda treatment in myopia: A systematic review of current trends. Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences. 2024;8(3). DOI: 10.4103/jras.jras_321_23
Effect of isolated and combined practice of yoga therapy and Ayurveda on distant vision among myopia. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2024–25. Available at: wisdomlib.org/journals/7340
Kapurkar S, Ramadevi Ch. Evaluation of Dinacharya in the context of Netra. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research (IJAPR). 2023;11(12):45–48. ISSN: 2322-0902. https://doi.org/10.47070/ijapr.v11i12.3064
Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036–1042. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006
Morgan IG, Ohno-Matsui K, Saw SM. Myopia. The Lancet. 2012;379(9827):1739–1748. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60272-4
Gwiazda J, Hyman L, Hussein M, et al. A randomized clinical trial of progressive addition lenses versus single vision lenses on the progression of myopia in children. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2003;44(4):1492–1500. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.02-0816
Wu PC, Tsai CL, Wu HL, Yang YH, Kuo HK. Outdoor activity during class recess reduces myopia onset and progression in school children. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(5):1080–1085. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.11.010
Bhishagratna KL. Sushruta Samhita, Uttaratantra (Vol. III). Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi; Reprint 2010.
Srikantha Murthy KR. Ashtanga Hridayam (Vol. I–III). Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi; 2012.
