Effect of Ayurvedic Treatment Modalities in Shushkakshipaka (Dry Eye Disease)

Abstract

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic eye condition arises due to decreased tear production or excessive evaporation of tear, that results discomfort, vision disturbances, and potential damage of the eye surface. DES is a multifactorial disorder of the tear film and ocular surface. Although the term “Dry eye” is not explicitly described in classical Ayurvedic text, the symptom complex closely resembles with Shushkakshi paka is one among Sarvagata Netra Rogas. The clinical features of Shushkakshi paka correlate well with the manifestation of dry eye syndrome described in modern ophthalmology. The present work is a single case study of Shushkakshipaka (Dry Eye) in which Ayurvedic therapeutic interventions were employed. Materials and Methods: A 26-year-old female patient with full consciousness, presented in Shalakya Tantra OPD, NIA, Jaipur with complaints of burning sensation in eyes, itching, ocular dryness in both eyes since 2 months. she was diagnosed as a case of dry eye disease, no significant past medical history was reported. The patient underwent three sittings of Netra parisheka using Shatavari, Yasthi, milk, Saindhav, three sittings of Nasya with Anu Taila and three sittings of Tarpana using Jivantyadi Ghrita and Ashchyotan using Jivantyadi Ghrita at bed time. Results: At the end of the treatment period, the patient showed mark improvement in both subjective and objective parameters. Significant reduction was observed in burning sensation, itching, dryness of eyes, objective test such as Schirmer's l test, tear film break up time, demonstrated improvement in both eyes, indicating enhanced tear film stability.