ABSTRACT
Shalakyatantra is one of the important branches of Ayurveda dealing with diseases and treatment of organs situated above the clavicle. As it deals with sense organs it is a highly specialized one. One should always make all sincere efforts to protect the eyes and treat eye diseases as it is one of the important sense organs. Ayurvedic literature gives equal importance to the prevention of disease with a cure. Acharyas have explained various regimens and protocols for a healthy life in Dincharya (daily routine) and Rutucharya (seasonal routine). Some of these regimens can be considered to be designed especially for the well-being of eyes like Anjana, Nasya, etc. These therapeutic procedures are useful if done scientifically and followed the protocol. Sushruta has mentioned 76 eye diseases out of which treatable diseases are treated with systemic as well as local treatment. Kriyakalpa is one of the local treatments. Various therapeutic procedures which are formulated with different drugs and different routes of drug administration according to Dosh, Satmya, and Kal have been explained to avoid the diseased condition. Being a local therapeutic procedure, fast action and penetration of drugs through ocular tissue raises the importance of Kriyakalpa in ocular diseases. Likewise, various regimens explained in Dinacharya and Rutucharya are important to maintain ocular health to avoid ocular diseases.
ABSTRACT
Present day lifestyle i.e. change in eating habits, progressive weight gain, stress, pollution, tobacco use and a sedentary life style lead to increase in number of lifestyle disorders. One of such lifestyle related disorders is Diabetes Mellitus, which if not controlled later on leads to Neuropathy, Nephropathy, Cardiomyopathy and Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is considered as a most threatening complication of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetics have a 20-25 times greater risk of blindness as compared to the normal population. In Ayurveda, Diabetes Mellitus can be coined with Madhumeha, as DR is due to its complication so it can be correlated with Madhumeha janya netra vikaar. Various Kriyakalpa procedures like Anjana, Aschyotan, Tarpan, Putpaka, other daily regimes like Snana, Padabhyanga, Abhyanga etc., are considered as highly effective procedures for the maintenance of eye health in DR. These measures help to modify lifestyle, promote psychosomatic health and thereby reducing psychosocial stress and help in prevention and management of a wide range of lifestyle disorders. The purpose of this presentation is to analyse Ayurveda’s preventive and therapeutic measures for treating DR and to evaluate how these measures can contribute towards improving the level of health care.