Cloudy eyes can be externally visible, measurably impair vision or only
felt subjectively, there is no clear definition for this. And so, when we
talk about “cloudy eyes”, we have to distinguish between a clouding of the lens
and a cloudy look with heavy lids as well as a clouded quality of
vision. The clouding of the eyes is not always due to an illness; it can
also manifest itself after the consumption of drugs or medication, or it can
reveal psychological sensitivities. According to the teachings of
Ayurveda, it is also an expression of the personal constitution or an energetic
imbalance.
Heavy eyelids and cloudy eyes
Drooping, heavy eyelids can make the eyes look cloudy. This can
happen through the influence of alcohol and other drugs, but also with drug
substitution (e.g. with L-polamidon) or under the effect of various
psychotropic drugs. Sometimes heavy eyelids and cloudy eyes are also an
expression of (mental) overexertion, tiredness and exhaustion . In addition, a sad, gloomy look
can be a sign of melancholy and depression . It
is not for nothing that the eyes are called "mirrors to the soul".
For many men, a woman's “bedroom look” is generally attractive and
erotic. Eyes that are perceived as cloudy with sensitivity to the weather , low blood pressure (hypotension), headaches and migraines can also be accompanied by
a "veiled look" and heavy eyelids, but often go unnoticed from the
outside.
Cloudy eyes when the lens is cloudy
Cloudy eyes, which sooner or later are already visible from the outside,
most often appear in the form of cataracts, which usually develop with age and,
less often, also arise in the context of various underlying diseases. In
cataracts, the eye lenses appear whitish or grayish clouded, the affected
person perceives this cloudiness as a "foggy veil", "milk
glass" or "waterfall". The latter once gave the lens cloudiness
the Greek term "cataract", which is common in medicine. If left
untreated, cataracts can gradually lead to complete blindness.
Eye opacity and congenital cataracts
A cataract can be congenital or acquired during life. The innate
form is due to heredity. In addition, children can be born with a cloudy
lens if the mother had a viral infection during pregnancy, such as rubella or
measles.
Cataract is also congenital in galactosemia, a congenital metabolic
disorder in which certain sugars in the blood (galactose) cannot be metabolized
due to an enzyme defect. The metabolic intermediate products that remain
are deposited in the lenses of the eyes, among other things, and thus cause
cloudy eyes. The only effective remedy is currently a special diet that is
supposed to stop the progression of the disease.
Opacity of the eyes with acquired cataracts
By far the most common development of cloudy eyes is the so-called old age cataract , because the risk of cataracts increases with age . In
Germany alone, more than 400,000 operations are to be carried out each year, in
which the natural lense of the eye are replaced by plastic lenses. The
cause of the progressive clouding caused by protein deposits in the eye lens
has not been conclusively scientifically clarified, but a genetic component is
assumed.
Other development factors are nutritional disorders, ultraviolet light and
enzyme changes. Cataracts occur less often after prolonged cortisone
treatments or poisoning, in the context of diabetes or a
certain form of muscle wasting (myotonia dystrophica), which is also
accompanied by clouding of the lens.
Cloudy eyes in Ayurveda
Clouding of the eyes is also commonly spoken of when they lack
gloss. Health disorders do not always have to be present, sometimes the
clouding of the eyes is simply part of the constitution. According to the
teachings of Ayurveda , the traditional Indian
medicine, we humans are born with such an individual constitution that remains
constant throughout life. Living healthy here means supporting the
respective constitution and keeping it in balance. The three basic
constitutional types Vata , Pitta and Kapha are composed
of the elements earth, fire, water, air and ether .
In the case of a Vata constitution,
in addition to other typical physical characteristics, the phenomenon of dull,
cloudy eyes can often be observed. Vata people
also often suffer from dry eyes and dark circles under the eyes .
The eyes of the Kapha constitution,
on the other hand, appear clear and shiny due to the pure, moist and large
whites of the eyes, even if they sometimes look a little transfigured.
The Pitta constitution is
described with fiery clear eyes, which are created here by a sharply framed
iris, while the whites of the eyes can sometimes be colored yellow. This
constitution often suffers from eye problems and poor eyesight when Pitta is out of balance.
Ayurveda treatment
According to Ayurvedic knowledge, various medicinal plants that have
certain energetic qualities have a clearing effect on cloudy eyes. These
are selected taking into account the constitution of the person to be treated.
Camphor strengthens the mind and opens the senses in small
doses. It should cool, cleanse and clear the eyes. While camphor is
used internally and directly on the eyes in Ayurveda, only its use in rubbing
(e.g. in rubbing alcohol or the like) is considered harmless in conventional
western medicine.
The chrysanthemum is known as a medicinal plant in Indian and Chinese
medicine, which makes the eyes bright and clear and also improves
eyesight. Castor oil - regularly dripped into the eyes .
Eye remedies from Hildegard medicine
As is common in naturopathy, the universal eye remedy according to Hildegard von Bingen also focuses on the
regulation of the entire metabolism, but in particular on strengthening the
kidney function, which St. Hildegard saw as closely linked to healthy eye
function.
W. Strehlow (2007) quotes from the translated Hildegard works: “The
vermouth eliminates your kidney weakness and black bile and clears up your eyes
and strengthens your heart and prevents your lungs from getting sick. It
warms the stomach (intestines) and cleanses the intestines and prepares a good
digestion.
