Diagram showing myopia, a defect of the eyes in which the eyeball is too long, or the cornea overly curved. This leads to images being focused in front of the retina, instead of on it. Nearsightedness, or the blurring of objects at a distance, results.

Vision is said to be a priceless,heritage greately influencing a person’s personality mentality and behaviour. Refractive error is the most common nuisance to humanity.It hampers day to day activities of a person unless taken care properly.Uncorretced refractive errors are the most frequently encountered reason for visual impairement.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is the most common refractive error of the eye, and it has become more prevalent in recent years. If you are nearsighted, you typically will have difficulty reading road signs and seeing distant objects clearly, but will be able to see well for close-up tasks such as reading and computer use.Other signs and symptoms of myopia include squinting, eye strain and headaches. Feeling fatigued when driving or playing sports also can be a symptom of uncorrected nearsightedness.

What Causes Myopia?

Nearsighted eyes are longer than usual, so when light rays enter, they come to a focus before reaching their destination, which is the retina at the back wall of the eye.

If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will be nearsighted.

The exact cause of nearsightedness is unknown, but two factors may be primarily responsible for its development:

• heredity
• visual stress

There is significant evidence that many people inherit nearsightedness, or at least the tendency to develop nearsightedness. If one or both parents are nearsighted, there is an increased chance their children will be nearsighted.Even though the tendency to develop nearsightedness may be inherited, its actual development may be affected by how a person uses his or her eyes. Individuals who spend considerable time reading, working at a computer, or doing other intense close visual work may be more likely to develop nearsightedness.

Myopia treatment according to modern methods

• eyeglasses
• contact lenses
• orthokeratology
• laser and other refractive surgery procedures
• vision therapy for persons with stress-related nearsightedness.

These modalities can only improve the visual acuity but can not stop progression of number or degenerative changes. In most cases, nearsightedness is simply a minor inconvenience and poses little or no risk to the health of the eye. But sometimes myopia can be so progressive and severe it is considered a degenerative condition. People with the condition have a significantly increased risk of retinal detachment and other degenerative changes in the back of the eye, including bleeding in the eye from abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization).

Ayurvedic treatment

1. Samshodhan (Purifying procedure) - Virechan karma is used for shodhana purpose.
2. Nasya-Panchendriya vardhan Taila nasya 4 drops in each nostril
3. Tarpan-Triphala ghrit tarpan. For 3 months with alternate 7 days nasya and 7 days Tarpan.
4. Internal medicine - Tb. Saptamrut loha - 2 tab twice with 1 tsf triphala ghee and half tsf honey after meal.
5. Tratak karma-To concentrate on some point till watering of eyes.
6. Palming technique-closing both eyes by using both palms.
7. Eye exercise

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