| "Of all sense organs eye is the most important!" | | | | dystrophy, a group of inherited disorders in which |
| However educated and rich the man is, if he does | | | | abnormalities of the photoreceptors (rods and |
| not give the required care for his eyes, he will not | | | | cones) or the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of |
| be able to make difference between day and | | | | the retina lead to progressive visual loss. |
| night and his life will be useless with all his dreams | | | | Procedures |
| and desires going waste..." Ayurveda holds the | | | | In Ayurveda, Many of highly potent therapeutic |
| magic wand that has the potential to cure many | | | | treatment procedures are described in Shalakya |
| dreadful diseases of eye which are directly | | | | Tantra. The aim of all treatment procedures is to |
| responsible for vision loss. Some of the diseases | | | | prevent the degeneration process and to restore |
| are Diabetic Retinopathy, Pathological Myopia, | | | | the vision. The procedures like anjana, nethradhara |
| Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Optic | | | | and tharpanam etc. helps to correct the vitiated |
| Atrophy etc. | | | | metabolism of the cells and to stimulate the |
| Ayurvedic Opthalmology: | | | | regeneration of the retinal cells and optic nerves. |
| Ayurveda has the specialized branch in | | | | The treatment approaches in two steps. |
| Ophthalmology named as Shalakya Tantra. It | | | | Stage of purification. It aims in cleansing the |
| describes in detail the diagnosis and treatment of | | | | body at metabolic level and to remove the |
| 76 diseases of eye. The description mentioned in | | | | metabolic wastes out of body. |
| ayurvedic texts is highly scientific according to the | | | | Stage of rejuvenation. It aims to correct the |
| modern parameters. The time tested scientific | | | | metabolic functions and to rejuvenate the retinal |
| approach of ayurveda provides optimum | | | | cells and optic nerves |
| rejuvenation to retina and optic nerves. Ayurveda | | | | Nethradhara - Filtered decoction of the medicated |
| believes that all eye diseases are caused by an | | | | herbs are poured in the nasal canthus of the eye |
| imbalance in the doshas and accordingly the | | | | from a height of 2 angula (approx. 4 cm) and for |
| treatment also aims to maintain the balance of | | | | a period of about 15 min. This procedure helps to |
| the doshas. | | | | do clean the channels (Srotas) of the eye and do |
| Commonly found diseases of retina | | | | the aam pachana (detoxification at the cellular |
| Diabetic Retinopathy - Diabetic retinopathy is | | | | level). |
| the most common diabetic eye disease and a | | | | Tharpanam - The highly powerful procedure which |
| leading cause of blindness. It is caused by changes | | | | rejuvenates the eyes. The paste of gram is |
| in the blood vessels of the retina leading to | | | | applied around the eyes which gives the |
| leakage of blood. These changes finally lead to a | | | | appearance of a dam. The medicated ghee is |
| group of symptoms like blurred vision, floaters in | | | | then poured in the eyes for a time described |
| field of vision, seeing black spots in field of vision | | | | according to the diseased condition. The active |
| and sometimes sudden loss of vision of one or | | | | ingredients of the ghee medicine start the |
| both eyes. | | | | regeneration process and the vision is restored. |
| Myopic Degeneration - In this condition the | | | | Sirodhara - Patient is made to lie on the dhara |
| myopia rapidly progresses so that in early adult | | | | table. Medicated oil is poured on the forehead |
| life there may be myopia of 20D or more. | | | | continuously for about a period of 45 min. This |
| Pathologic myopes are at risk for retinal | | | | process gives strength to the nervous system |
| detachment and macular changes. This is caused | | | | and increases the blood circulation of the optic |
| by separation of the retina as a result of | | | | nerves. It is also effective in many degenerative |
| abnormal elongation of the eyeball. This will cause | | | | diseases of the brain and optic nerves. Medicated |
| a varying amount of blurred vision. | | | | oils, milk, buttermilk mixed with medicated |
| Glaucoma - Glaucoma is a group of eye | | | | decoctions are some of the fluids used. |
| disorders in which the optic nerves connecting the | | | | Sirovasty - This procedure is more powerful than |
| eyes and the brain are progressively damaged. | | | | sirodhara. Medicine is kept inside a leather bag |
| This damage can lead to reduction in side | | | | fitted around the head at a bearable temperature |
| (peripheral) vision and eventual blindness. Other | | | | for a prescribed time. It also acts very effectively |
| signs and symptoms may include bulging eyes, | | | | in all degenerative diseases of the nervous |
| excessive tearing, and abnormal sensitivity to light | | | | system. |
| (photophobia). | | | | Nasya -- This is a procedure in which medicated oil |
| Macular Degeneration - Macular degeneration | | | | is poured in both the nostrils empty stomach. The |
| is a medical condition usually of older adults that | | | | toxins accumulated in the areas above the neck |
| results in a loss of vision in the center of the | | | | are brought out via this route. Nostrils are the |
| visual field because of damage to the retina. It | | | | doors to the brain according to Ayurveda classics. |
| occurs in "dry" and "wet" forms. It is a major | | | | Anjana and Aschotanam are the procedures by |
| cause of visual impairment in the elderly (>50 | | | | which medicine is applied inside the eyes. |
| years) | | | | By adopting ayurveda as a system for the |
| Retinitis Pigmentosa - Retinitis pigmentosa | | | | treatment of eye diseases it is not only possible |
| (RP) is a group of genetic eye conditions. In the | | | | to correct a disease but also to prevent blindness. |
| progression of symptoms for RP, night blindness | | | | Ayurveda is always contributing to humanity in its |
| generally precedes tunnel vision by years or even | | | | own scientific way in the great mission of moving |
| decades. RP is a type of progressive retinal | | | | from dark to light. |