Yoga for Your Eyes - Help Yourself to Better Vision Naturally

Part III - Natural Remedies for Healthy Eye Care

Two easy things you can do for the health of your eyes:

• Drink more water (eyes float in a high solution of fluid and profit from being greatly hydrated)
  
  
• Breathe long and deep breaths as a practice many times per day to increase the circulation of flow of blood to the structures around the eyes (blood supply is limited to the eye sockets and surrounding structures and get increase circulation through oxygen taken in)

Refresh and renew eyes with these easy obtainable methods:

• Tea Bag Remedy uses tannis in tea for its anti-inflammatory effect. Steep two black, orange pekoe, or chamomile tea bags in boiled water and let them cool to the touch. Lie down and apply one bag over each eye. Leave in place for at least 15 minutes. You may even take a short nap which will benefit your whole body.
  
  
• Cucumber Slices placed over your eyes uses the natural cooling astringent qualities of this veggie to soothe tired eyes. Try it for 15 minutes while relaxing, with your body supported on an even surface. Raw potatoes or witch hazel soaked cotton pads also will work to soothe eye strain.
  
  
• Warm/Hot and Cool/Cold cloth compresses used to refresh your eyes and to unclog pores, heat debris on lid margins to be removed by lid scrubs. Find more specific information on Blepharitis at www.agingeye.net/otheragingeye/blepharitis.php
  
  Start and end with the warm or hot compress and alternate the temperature for about 3 to 5 times. Use a clean cloth wash and apply each compress for 30 seconds before alternating the temperature.

If you are using drops in your eyes for relief of tired, dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) from over use of your vision, stay away from drops that contain phenylephrine or other whiting agents that say they will "get the red out". These eye drops can worsen symptoms over time.

Dr. Jenny Petitto of the Eye Physicians in Gainesville, Florida recommends Refresh Plus or Bion Tears for a thin artificial tear during the day. This could be used every hour tapering back to three or four times a day as needed. These non-preserved artificial tears come in containers which are designed for one use only. If they have not been contaminated, such as by touching the eye or skin, they may be used again as long as they have not been open for more than eight to ten hours. For a replaceable cap artificial tear solution try Gen Teal, Hypotears or Refresh Tears.

And here is a great asana from Judith Lasater, PhD, PT Iyengar yogi that decreases tension in the eyes by helping the muscles in the head to loosen and relax.: Lie down in Savasana with a stack of books lying nearby on the floor by the top of your head. Place a five pound bag of rice (or sand bag) halfway on the books and halfway on your forehead. Relax for 15 minutes.

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