The eyes are the most beautiful sense organ that attracts everyone with its ‘life’ in it and the ‘vibes’ that it sends out. It’s said ‘Your eyes speak all those words that your mouth couldn’t’. However, long hours of working before electronic gadgets or lengthy duration of online classes and the like can cause eye disorders, especially dark circles and dryness. Dr Pretty Prabhakaran writes about the causes and cures for black eye circles.

Dark circles under the eyes are a big concern for many and most times, a small lifestyle modification will correct the issue. Depending on the skin colour and the exposure to underlying causes, the severity may vary.

Pathophysiology

Hyper pigmentation, causing out of excessive melanin production in the periorbital region, and increased pressure on skin and blood vessels closer to the surface of eye skin make dark circles more prominent. Dryness of eyes, over rubbing and improper circulation leads to the same problem.

Causes

•          Extreme fatigue

•          Sleep deprivation

•          Excess use of electronic devices

•          Nutritional deficiency

•          Sun light exposure for long periods

•          Dryness of eyes

•          Smoking and alcohol consumption

Health conditions related to the dark circle

•          Sinusitis

•          Iron deficiency anemia

•          Allergic rhinitis

•          Renal problems

•          Eyesight related conditions with improper  lens

•          Eczema

What to avoid?

Alcohol consumption, caffeine and excess intake of salt should be avoided. Proper sleep for about 6-7 hours is mandatory. Usage of electronic devices like laptops and mobiles for long duration results in eye strain and dryness which may increase the chances of dark circles under your eyes.

Healthy life style

‘Early to bed and early to rise’ makes one healthy. Proper sleep  is inextricable linked to our overall happiness, nourishment, strength, virility and knowledge according to Ayurveda. Classical Ayurveda text Ashtanga Hridaya advocates Abhyanga (oil application) especially in head, ear and foot to improve eyesight. Staying hydrated will also help remove the dark circles.

Healthy diet

Food rich in Vitamin K,C,A & E  and also fruits having a high water content like watermelon, grapes and papaya will also help in the result.

Home remedies

 1.        Applying honey under the eye

2.         Milk and banana paste

3.         Kumkumadi lepam

4.         Cucumber juice for 1 hour daily for a few months

5.         Ghee

6.         Rose water

7.         Butter milk and triphla choornam

Eye pack

•          Cold tea bags

•          Cold tomato slice

•          Cucumber slice

•          Potato slice

Antioxidant property will improve the problems caused by dark circles

Eye exercises

•          Regular eye massage in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction with gentle pressure (can use coconut oil or kumkumadi taila)

•          Eye exercises like eye rotation in all directions and cupping of eye with your hands and applying pressure over the closed eyelids will help improve the condition.

     The eyes are one of the most sensitive organs in our body and one should give utmost care to protect eyes from its underlying causes. Proper sleep, diet, and by avoiding stress, one  can prevent most of the eye disorders.

References

1.         Charaka samhitha sootra sthana 21 chapter

2.         Ashtanga Hridayam sootra sthana 2 chapter

3.         Ashtanga hridayathile ottamoolikal by Gopalakrishnan vaidyar