Abstract

AYURVEDIC DINCHARYA AS A PREVENTIVE FRAMEWORK FOR OCULAR HEALTH: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Dr. Shashank Shekhar Tiwari*, Dr. Lakshmi, Dr. Kumari Uma Pandey

Abstract

Background: The global burden of avoidable visual impairment is increasing, and the situation is leading to a renewed interest in traditional preventive systems. Within Ayurveda, the idea of Dincharya, a systematic routine for every day, includes many eye care methods developed over thousands of years. Many of these practices are ancient, and only in recent decades have they started to be examined by science. Objective: The current review critically appraises the major Dincharya-based ocular procedures described in classical Ayurvedic texts and assesses the available modern scientific evidence supporting or contextualising their therapeutic rationale. Methods: Classical references were collected from Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam. We sourced contemporary peer-reviewed studies from PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Ayurveda specific research repositories with a focus on publications from the years 2000–2025. Results: Anjana (medicated collyrium), Nasya (nasal oil instillation), Trataka (yogic visual concentration), Netraprakshalana (eye washing), Padabhyanga (foot massage), and Aschyotana (medicated eye drops) are some practices with identifiable mechanistic parallels in modern physiology. Although few, clinical studies describe improvements in tear film stability, visual acuity, ocular surface parameters and cognitive-visual integration. Conclusion: Ayurvedic Dincharya offers a sensible, inexpensive preventative paradigm for ocular health that requires rigorous multicentre clinical research. Standardisation of interventions and outcome measures is the most urgent need before definitive efficacy claims can be made.

Keywords: Dinacharya, Ayurvedic eye care, Nasya, Eye health, Preventive ophthalmology, Chakshushya, Alochaka pitta.