Studies On Special Therapeutic Procedures

?????? On unique therapeutic modality in ayurvedic panchakarma in special reference to ayurvedic ophthalmology ,- ‘Tarpana’ (A special panchakarma procedure in which eye is being kept in medicated ghee for a given stipulated period.It is also known as Netrabasti.) A preliminary study was conducted on 25 healthy volunteers, so as to assess its safety profile. Certain parameters such as intra ocular pressure, T.P.R., B.P., & other common ocular symptoms & signs were observed for possible adverse effects , also in a same study efforts were taken to re-establish the meaning of (one blink of the eye corresponds to one unit of the procedure.i.e.)Unmesha Nimesha Matra which has been discussed in chapters of tarpana. No serious adverse effect was noticed, neither there was a statistical; significant difference found in the said parameter while pre & post tarpana therapy (Dr.Phadke A.S., Mumbai ) (1999)

?????? In yet another preliminary study on tarpana, efforts has been taken to asses the possibilities of usage of Tarpana therapy in various ocular disorders. In yet another preliminary study on tarpana, efforts has been taken to asses the possibilities of usage of Tarpana therapy in various ocular disorders. An open prospective study was conducted on 47 cases of various ocular conditions, such as R.P.( retinitis pigmentosa.), A.M.D.(age related macular degeneration ), glaucoma, increasing Myopia, xerophthalmia, ocular asthenia, using tarpana as a unique therapeutic modality. The results in these conditions were although encouraging, need to be conducted on large number of patients, & in a better planned way ( Dr.Phadke, A.S.,Mumbai )(1999)

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Common Do’s & Don’t?

?????? One should not strain eye continuously for a long time particularly by watching T.V. or playing video games ( more specific in kids) & surfing on net / working on PC ( as seen commonly in adults).

?????? If there is blurring of vision, one must not waste time & seek help of an eye consultant.

?????? Do not use any other person’s glasses for use or even just for fun as well. It may cause infection to your eye if that persons eye is infected, or if not then also by using wrong numbered glasses you may strain your eyes & may invite glasses for you !

?????? Let us have good intake of number of leafy vegetables, carrot (fresh & not Gajar ka halwa) , milk, ghee ( preferably home made) in our diet so as to maintain good ocular health.

?????? Let us avoid insufficient sleep or excessive sleep.

?????? Do not see directly towards welding light or even at sun , at the time of solar eclipse , without taking proper specified precautions.

?????? In festival like Diwali? or on other occasion take proper precautions while playing with crackers , same is to be remembered while playing with colours in Holi or Rangapanchami .there may be a possibility that these colours ( Gulal, Oil paints etc.) may enter eyes & one may loose sight permanently ! even while throwing Ballons with coloured water, one must not put pebbles in it , & should take care that it should not get blasted on eyes , since it can gives rise to the serious conditions like retinal detachement leading to permanent blindness.

?????? One should donate our own eye ( cornea) after death, so that some one else who is blind due to corneal opacity can see once again !!

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Common Home remedies for Eyes

?????? Amla a day keeps eyes healthy. Try to eat a fresh Amla fruit , if not available then may take Amla powder or Jam of Amla ( Morawala / Amla Murabba).

?????? Take Triphala powder ( a powder of combination of three myrobalans , i.e. Amlaki ( Phyllanthus embelicus), Haritaki ( Terminalia chebula) & Bibhitaki ( Terminalia bellerica), should be consumed with honey & pure ghee ( Ghee & honey must be consumed in an unequal proportion) at night time. In Ayurveda this combination has been advocated as Netrya rasayana.

?????? With an advise of your Ayurveda consultant one may take Tablet – Saptamrut Loha Vati for maintaining good ocular health.

?????? Keep cold waters pack or rose water pack on closed eyes especially in summer.

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Friends ?do you remember I was telling you about Tina’s case of R.P. in the beginning? Well ,she continued therapy with me , & with appropriate therapies now her vision in right eye is improved to? 6/60 ( i.e. 1st line on the snellen’s chart) & with other eye i.e. left eye ?still there is no deterioration as has been told by our fellow colleagues ! I think that is possible only because of the following Ayurvedic principles in practice.

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Acknowledgement

I will be ever grateful to the board of editors & especially Dr.(Mrs.)Amita of ‘Amruth’, also to all other researchers , editors ,authors from whom I have borrowed references for this article. I can not forget my masters in the field of ophthalmology & Ayurveda, Dr. Joglekar., Dr.Vaidya, Dr.Shanbhag, Dr. (Mrs.) Roychaudhary, Dr. Vatsal Parikh , Dr.Sathye,Dr.Pandya, Dr. Bhatia & many more from modern ophthalmology & Vd. Kanitkar ,Dr.Padmawar, Dr. Sathye, Pune, Dr.Surve, Dr. Tambwekar, Dr. Garge, Dr.Lahankar & many more from the field of Ayurveda. I will be thankful to all my patients, their relatives who gave me opportunity to treat them with Ayurveda & also to all students to whom I taught Ayurvedic ophthalmology for quite long time!! Also to my mother institutions Ayurvedic & modern medical institutes where I learnt & institutions where I taught, I will be always grateful!! Comments & suggestions are welcome on this article from all readers& may be forwarded on ayurvision@hotmail.com or ayurinstitute@yahoo.com

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(Option for Hetus / causes of Eye Disorders)

Various etiological factors of eye disorders discussed in Ayurveda are exposure to cold water, exposure to cold immediately after exposure to heat, alteration in sleep pattern, ?constant watching of distant objects, tensions, anger, ?excessive crying, trauma, consuming sour preparations in excess, controlling essential urges, increased amount of sudation, exposure of gases or fumes e.g. pollutant on roadways or from industries, induced emesis in excess, observing microscopic objects for long periods etc. In traumatic eye disorders, there exists traumatic lesion first, & later there is vitiation of dosha? (doshasushti)?