Ayurveda Eye Analysis – What Your Eyes Say About Your Health

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“The eyes are the windows to your soul.” – William Shakespeare

What are your eyes saying?

Ayurveda uses a comprehensive multi-point assessment to determine one’s state of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha. When that clear assessment is made through an experienced consultation process, the appropriate natural remedies are determined.

Tongue, poo, and nails are three, but there are still more. Urine, skin, hair, voice, and eyes are also external observable qualities that may indicate imbalances occurring inside the body and mind. According to Ayurveda, eye analysis, known as Netra Pariksha, provides insights into the dosha balance of the mind and body. The eyes are windows through which a picture of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha may be seen.

In addition to providing constitutional information (AKA “What’s my dosha?”) Ayurveda eye analysis may offer a glimpse into dosha imbalances, symptoms, and conditions. By assessing the eyes, Ayurveda may proactively address physical and mental health and offer dosha-balancing natural remedies to promote healthy vision, eye, and overall mental and physical health.

Possible imbalances indicated by eye analysis:

• Tics and tremors around the eyes indicated deep-seated Vata aggravation, such as fear, anxiety, and profound stress.
• Droopy eyelids are said to show a sense of insecurity, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and related Vata manifestations.
• Excessive blinking is a sign of high Vata (nervousness, fear, anxiety, panic)
• Bulging eyes may indicate non-optimal thyroid function.
• Yellow conjunctiva

Vata Dosha Eye Insights

Vata eyes are relatively small, consistent with Vata’s subtle nature (Vata: air + ether). They may appear sunken, eyelids may droop, and the lashes may be scant. Vata eyes may appear nervous. If Vata is high, the eyes may dart around due to the excess movement of Vata, especially if the excess is in the mind and nervous system. The sclera (that’s the whitish part of the eye) tends to be muddy grey or dull. The iris tends to be dark, dark brown, grey-brown or black, but may be a less common color as well. Eyebrows that are thin and may be irregular dictate liver concerns, and pale may mean anemia Red, inflamed eyes indicate an excess of Pitta.

Pitta Dosha Eye Insights

Pitta eyes are medium in size and deeply set—a thinker’s or philosophical look to the eyes showing the discerning nature and sharp, penetrating nature of Pitta dosha. (Pitta: water + fire). The eyes may appear intense and lustrous. The sclera may have red or yellow coloring, and the iris tends to be green or hazel. Pitta eyes may be more sensitive to light with a tendency towards near-sightedness, redness, and inflammation. The eyelashes are medium and oily, and the eyebrows and eyelashes are balanced.

Kapha Dosha Eye Insights

Kapha eyes are large, moist, and surrounded by enviable long, thick lashes. (Kapha: water + earth) The look of the eyes tends to be a soft, gentle, compassionate gaze. The iris tends to be blue. The sclera is perfectly white, and the eyebrows are thick and tend to join in the middle if left on their own.

Ayurvedic Eye Tips for Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha

1. Bathe the eyes with cool water in the morning while holding water in the mouth at the same time. (not hot, not cold, just right.) Hold the water in the mouth for a few seconds and spit it out. Repeat 2-3 times. This is a nice addition to your Ayurveda Morning Routine.

2. Screen over consumption has many deleterious effects, including increasing dry eyes. Remember to blink often when using a screen. Use a stickie note or a timer to remind yourself. Take breaks by looking away from the screen every 15 minutes. Leave the screen and enjoy a screen fast from 6pm to 6am each day. Also consider a digital fast one day a week.

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“We will jump on intermittent fasting for detox and weight loss, but are we willing to fast from a screen? We seek peace and calm and feel stressed and anxious–start to consciously transition to digital intermittent fasting. This fasting may occur every 15 minutes when we look away from the screen and cup our eyes, it can occur from after dinner until breakfast and we can add a day or part of the day on the weekend. This three-tiered tool for digital intermittent fasting will make a world of difference not only to your eyes, but to your mind and nervous system. See what it does for your mood and sleep” – Veena

3. Get good sleep. Try to be in bed and be falling asleep before 10:00pm. You will discover it makes a significant difference due to the times of day and night the doshas dominate. Just before 10:00pm, Pitta dosha begins to rise, and that gives us the second fire of productivity. (Mistakenly referred to as a “second wind.”) We need to be resting and heading into slumber before that fire gets stoked again.

4. Have proper lighting for the task at hand.

5. Invest in your vision by wearing good quality protective sunglasses. (Wind, sun, sand and pollution affect the eyes and imbalance Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha.) Not only will you look cool, but your eyes will also be protected.

6. Manage stress levels as stress negatively impact the doshas, and that shows in the eyes. Make use of our guided practices daily.

7. Eat an Ayurvedic diet that is correct for you by having a consultation. Reduce or eliminate white sugars and favor fresh, cooked, properly spiced vegetables and fresh fruits that balance your dosha picture. What is your correct Ayurvedic diet? That depends on your constitution, symptoms, location, season, and stage of life. This is accurately determined through an Ayurveda Wellness Consultation.

8. Practice one yog-asana every day: Surya Namaskar, or sun salutations. Benefits include increased circulation, which directly benefits the eyes and the whole body. Practice these asanas gently and with awareness of the breath. Three salutations done with breath awareness is a complete experience. It’s about quality not quantity.

9. Learn to breath diaphragmatically and change your life. In other words, learn this key life skill, and Vata, Pitta, and Kapha will begin to balance through the natural remedy called, diaphragmatic breathing.

“Yog-asana (postures) are to be performed, not as a workout, but as a work-in”. -Veena

Food as Medicine

First, eat an Ayurvedic diet that is correct for your dosha picture, at this particular season, based on your location and your stage of life. Second, eat cooked, spiced foods specific to your dosha and include green leafy veggies. Greens are loaded with antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Almonds are another great food for the eyes.