Ayurvedic Management of Shushkakshipaka w.s.r. To Dry Eye Syndrome - A Single Case Study

Abstract

Eyes are one of the most powerful tools that anyone can have; hence, all efforts should be made to protect the eyes. In  today’s era, people depend more on machines like computers in all sectors of life. These cause some heat and radiation  which certainly causes ill effects on the eyes. Tear (Ashru) secretion is an integral component of the ocular surface  physiology; when compromised (quantitatively or qualitatively) leads to shushkakshipaka (dry eye syndrome) with  various ocular discomfort symptoms and ultimately the patient may land in corneal blindness. Local, systemic, and  environmental factors majorly affect its pathogenesis. Vata and Pitta/Rakta vitiation as per Ayurvedic viewpoint are  the major contributing pathological factors in its manifestation. A 28-year-old female patient approached Shalakya  OPD of SKGAC and H, Kurukshetra, complaining of irritation, foreign body sensation, eye fatigue, and pain in  the periorbital region along with a feeling of dryness for 1 year. The patient had slight symptomatic relief but when  medications were discontinued the condition used to reoccur, so she turned to Ayurvedic treatment for relief. In  Ayurveda classics, specific treatment has been mentioned for Shushkakshipaka such as Snehana (~in-take of Ghee),  Tarpana (~retention of ghee over eyes), Nasya (~Nasal medication), and Pariseka (~ocular irrigation). A patient  of shushkakshipaka was treated with such treatment protocol, is presented as a case study in this article. Contrary  to the available modern medical treatment Ayurveda propounds a systematic approach in the treatment of dry eye  syndrome.