DES: Dry Eye Syndrome and CVS: Computer Vision Syndrome An Alternative Medicinal Approach: A Composite Treatment : Dr. Sanjay Honkalse

DES: Dry Eye Syndrome and CVS: Computer Vision Syndrome

An Alternative Medicinal Approach: A Composite Treatment

                                                                                      Dr. Sanjay Honkalse

Gravity of the problem – Its incidence.

“All those who meditated on fate of empires concluded that the future of the mankind depends upon the education of the youth”. A recent study carried out in California[1] reveals that school children are at high risk stage of Computer Vision Syndrome (“CVS”) and Dry Eye Syndrome (“DES”). The percentage of first-graders with myopia has increased from 12.1% to 20.4% since 1995[2]. An alarming 62.5% of the US population suffer from DES and this statistic is not very different in other parts of the world. Historically, this problem was seen affecting adults, especially women of 40+ due to aging, hormonal changes etc. but now especially due to exposure to computers, TV, etc. these ailments which were largely limited to adults is getting commonplace among all including children.  

I realised the intensity and graveness of the problem during a recent tour[3]. During this tour, I went to my friend’s house only to see that the entire family, including his six year old son and new born baby boy of 6 months old is engrossed in seeing a movie, which they have seen umpteen number of times sitting close to the television (TV). His elder son, six years of age, was suffering from quinkiness of eyes and DES for last 3 years. The treatment given by me did resolve the problem to a great extent (at least from becoming as acute as resulting in full loss of vision). But he is required to wear spectacles at his age. His younger brother (6 months) is also a TV addict !! Thus, despite being smart, intelligent and active, the new generation is at a high risk of becoming a victim to CVS and DES.

What are the Causes and what are its effects?

DES is generally caused due to aging, pollution, reduction in tear productivity or excess tear vaporisation and hormonal change.

But today the greatest inflictor of DES and CVS is ‘technology’. Technology is becoming a bad master than a good servant to mankind. Modern high tech life involves more than 90% of one’s active time being exposed to computers, TV, mobiles etc.. Consistent exposure to these gadgets affects the 3 layers of tear films that coat our eyes so as to keep them healthy, glazing and comfortable.

Added to this is deficient diet consisting of monotonous food intake, aerated drinks, biscuits and chocolates.

DES / CVS has affected not only the beauty of the eye but also its health. Most people (if one has noticed) have what may be called ‘stretched’ eyes. DES (due to use of computer) results into auto immune diseases, CVS, leading to eye cancer.

When should the alarm ring? How does one recognize DES / CVS?

DES and CVS are indicated by dry, gritty or scratchy, filmy feeling, itching, redness, blurred vision, sensation of having foreign body in eyes, light sensitivity. 

What can be done ? 

Allopathy ? 

Allopathy has no cure for DES. It says that DES/CVS cannot be prevented though treatment is possible through use of lubricating eye drops, artificial tear insert and minor surgery.

Regulation  

Ideally, children upto the age of 10 should not expose themselves to computers, TV, etc. more than 10 - 30 minutes a day and adults above 30 years not more than 2/3 hours a day. However, this is not possible in present day conditions. Writing this article itself requires me to sit for more than 3 hours starring at the computer. But howsoever difficult it is, it is necessary to monitor time usage with computer. One should even set a timer so as to exactly know when one’s time with the TV / computer is up. It may do well if the following steps are taken:

§          Use antiglare screen.

§        Wear prescription lenses. There are lenses specifically designed for computer users which minimize the effect of computer radiations on the eyes.

§  Take frequent breaks during use of TV / computer. One may set auto reminders in computers whereby auto pop-ups say every half hour are set so that regularly you relax your eyes by going off-computers. At regular intervals look at distant objects. Look at greenery if possible. 

§  Ensure the computer screen is 20-24 inches away.

§  Increase font size of the matter viewed or view at the maximum possible size.

§  Use large monitors where possible.

§  Ensure proper lighting.

Eye Exercises and Yoga

The following practices are recommended:

§  Roll your eyes upward, downward, to the left and right – 30/40 times, then shut them for 5 minutes. Imagine a globe and move your eyes in clockwise and then anticlockwise at least 30 times. Then blink eyes rapidly for 30 times. 

§  Yoga : Carry on traditional exercises like meditating on the tip of a pencil with one eye closed at a time. ‘Thratak’ is an exercise which maybe practiced with the help of a yoga teacher.

I have designed a technique after 3 years of experimentation – a specifically hypnotic ‘OM’ for meditation and concentration.  It is being used by over few hundred people. This technique is beneficial not only to cure DES patients but also leads to enhancement of spiritual energy adding to spiritual quotient besides enhancing emotional quotient.

Nutrition

Good food and healthy diet consisting of vitamins contribute to eye health.

§  Use of vitamin A (carrots, beet root, coriander, egg yolk, cow milk, papaya, red pumpkin, green vegetables, butter & pure ghee{not margarine and dalda}) maintain healthy cell structure.

§  Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), B2(Ribnoflrin) maintin light sensitivity of eyes, lack of which causes fatigue, light sensitivity, blurring & burning of eyes. Vitamin B is abundantly found in pulses and grains, brewer’s yeast, egg, meat, nuts & seeds.

§  Vitamin C: is a water soluble vitamin for body synthesis & agood antioxident & protein provider. Vitamin C is abundantly found in oranges, lemon, amla, pinapple, tomatoes, pudina& ginger. Use of VitaminC protects the proteins of crystalline lenses from oxidation and serves as a free radical scavengr in the retina in promoting wound healing in cornea.

          Most of the above foods & fruit also contain taurine-amino acid in the eyes, low levels of which leads to degeneration of retina.

Herbal Eye Drops

I have been giving special homemade eye drops, to a few hundred select people, different from normal eye drops available in the market. This eye drop has produces excellent results as it provides immediate and quick relief by reducing redness, strain, tiredness and causes immediate tears in dry eyes. This drop also leads to feel its effect on optical nerves& resumes glare of eyes.
This drop has no side effects, is effective, is harmless and directly treats eyes by providing Vitamin A, B and C as it is made of pure herbs such as ginger, harda, honey, alma and does not harm even if it is taken internally.

Pyramid-magnetic eye belt

Use Pyramid-magnetic eye belt at night along with herbal eye drops give better, immediate and lasting effects.

Thus alternative medicinal approach of composite treatment of Eye Yoga and other exercise, herbal drops and magneto-pyramidal belt will result in extremely healthy eyes. Since use of computer and technology is irreversible, this composite treatment will go a long way in making computer/T.V. and technology a good servant to be mastered by mankind.

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[1] 25% to 30% of computer-using children need corrective eyewear to work comfortably and safely at the computer at home or in school, says a study at the University of California at Berkeley School of Optometry. 
[2]  according to a study by the Department of Health in Taiwan.

[3] I often tour the Jyotirlinga shrines. This was my 21^st round of darshan / seva to each of the 12 Jyotirlingas.