Ocular Surface Disease Treatment with Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

Eye is a very sensitive part, not only to light or images but also to touch and pain. It is therefore found that ocular diseases frequently lead to symptomatic disturbances, some of which are non specific, but others could be diagnostic. Ocular surface diseases can be categorized into those caused by anomalies of ocular motility, anomalies of the ocular surfaces and abnormalities affecting the visual apparatus. This article aims to impart information about different types of eye diseases. Let’s discuss them in detail!

Introduction

Diseases affecting the cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelids i.e. the ocular surface disease of the eye, frequently present with symptoms of redness of the eye, a foreign body sensation, swelling of the lid, photophobia, and irritation. The corneal and conjunctival surfaces are extremely sensitive. This is probably a protective mechanism and helps to avoid or detect minimal trauma at an early stage. Ocular surface diseases include Dry eye, Blepharitis, Neurotrophic keratitis, Ocular rosacea, and Meibomian gland dysfunction.

Dry eye

A dry eye produces discomfort and reduced vision when the tear film becomes chronically unstable and repeatedly breaks up into dry spots between blinks, exposing the corneal and conjunctival epithelium to evaporation.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is the chronic inflammation of the lid margins, appearing as a simple hyperaemia or as a true inflammation.The reason behind the inflammation is a result of clogged oil ducts near the base of eyelashes.

Neurotrophic keratitis

This occurs in some cases in which the trigeminal nerve is impaired and leads to decreased corneal sensitivity.

Ocular rosacea

It is a type of rosacea in which inflammation leads to burning, redness and itching of the eyes.

Meibomian gland dysfunction

It is a functional abnormality of the gland in which meibomian glands are not producing adequate amounts of oil. It leads to dry eyes and eyelid inflammation.

CAUSES

• Aging
• Blepharitis
• Decreased production of tear
• Chemical or thermal burns
• Hormonal conditions
• Autoimmune conditions
• Side effects of certain medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy etc
• Allergy
• Dry air in summer
• Vitamin A deficiency

Symptoms of ocular surface disease

Each type of OSD has its own symptoms.

Dry eye

• Irritation in eye
• Burning sensation
• Discomfort
• Impaired vision in case of involvement of cornea
• Redness of eye
• Watery eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Blepharitis Discomfort in the eyes

• Irritation
• Occasional lacrimation
• Deposition of whitish material at the lid margin
• Redness of eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Frequent blinking
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision

Neurotrophic keratitis

• Redness of eyes
• Vision impairment
• Sensitivity to light
• Itching
• Lacrimation
• photophobia

Ocular rosacea

• Redness of eyes
• Excessive lacrimation
• Itching
• Irritation
• Vision impairment
• Photophobia
• Swollen eyelids

Meibomian gland dysfunction

• Burning sensation
• Itching
• Dry eye
• Lacrimation
• Redness of eyes
• Photophobia
• Blurring of vision

DIAGNOSIS

Following are the diagnostic test

• Comprehensive eye exam:- In this various eye tests are performed by a doctor to check out the abnormality of eyes. It includes visual acuity, preliminary test, keratometry, refraction etc.
• Schirmer test:- It measures the rate of tear formation. The value less than 6 mm after 5 minutes is diagnostic of dry eye, normal value is 10-25 mm.
• Osmolarity test:- which measures the osmolarity of your tears. It is done specially for dry eyes.
• Magnetic resonance imaging :- It is the technique to rule out the cause of neurotrophic keratitis.

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

In ayurveda eyes are called netra. Eye is dominated by the fire element and pitta dosha. Most of the pitta aggravating causes lead to eye disorders.

Samprapti or pathogenesis of eye disease

According to sushruta (सु .उ.त. 1/20)

The vitiated vatadi doshas propagate through the channels of sira- dhamani (blood vessels) towards the utthamangam (shiras-head) and into the eyes and produce dreadful diseases in the eyes.

Causes of eyes diseases

According to sushruta (सु .उ.त. 1/26-27)

• Exposing, or drinking cool water immediately after exposing to heat, because of immediate opposite exposures the eye muscles affects and causes the eye diseases.
• Looking at the very distant objects regularly for a long time
• Abnormal sleeping habits like- day sleeping causes kapha vitiation and night arousal causes vata and pitta vitiation
• Continuous weeping
• Excessive anger
• Grief
• Stress suffering pain
• Minute irritative injuries or contusion injuries causes a great loss to the eyes
• Indulging more sexual intercourse
• Shuktha, aaranala, amla, kulattha, masha if taken excessively causes eye disorder because having the alcoholic properties which are quite opposite to ojas (immunity)
• Excessive fomentation or sudation to the eyes is contraindicated to the eyes because it causes pittaj raktaj disorder of eye
• The eye either exposing to smoke lead to eye disorder
• Suppressing the vomiting urge cause eye strain and visual problems
• Indulging excessive vamana therapy may cause protrusion of eyeball
• Suppressing the tears
• Observing the minute things regularly causes strain to the ciliary muscles and lens

Poorvarupa of eye disease

According to sushruta (सु .उ.त. 1/21-23)

• Dirty eye with discharges
• Angry look with watering of eyes
• Itching sensation
• Sticking of eyelids due to organized discharges
• Heaviness of lids
• Burning sensation
• Pricking pain
• Hyperaemia
• Pain in the eye lids
• Foreign body sensation
• Visual disturbance
• Difficulty in opening closing the lids and improper visualization

Treatment for eye disorders

संक्षेपत: क्रिया योगो निदान परिवर्जनम।
वातादीनाम प्रतिघात: प्रोक्ता विस्तरत:पुन:।। (सु .उ.त. 2/25)

Nidana Parivarjana

Avoidance of causative factors is the best line of treatment for eye disorders
Dosha-vyadhi pratighatana or vistaara chikitsa- Increasing of doshas leads to disease and disease modifying treatments should be done along with effective medicines and immune-modulators like saptamrit loha, maha triphala ghrit, anjana (apply kajal to the eyes), amla (Emblica officinalis) etc. This is a strategic step ladder pattern of curing a disease involving effective treatment, medicine, lifestyle changes etc.

How Ayurveda Helps in Ocular Surface Diseases?

In Ayurveda, herbal remedies show excellent results on the human body. It takes some time to show their effect but it has long lasting effects and there is no side effects of these herbal products.There are many herbs used to prevent eye disorders such as Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Vibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) etc. These herbs improve eyesight and provide strength to eye muscle.

Herbal remedies for ocular surface diseases by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides the best quality of ayurvedic medicines for 20 years. It follows all the principles given in the ancient textbook of ayurveda. All the ayurvedic medicines are 100% pure, natural and chemical free. All the medicines of Planet Ayurveda are GMP certified. Planet Ayurveda provides the herbal pack for Ocular Surface Diseases which include

Product List

1. Capsule Angel Eye Vitale
2. Saptamrit Loha
3. Jasnoor Eye Drops
4. Maha Triphala Ghrit
5. Amalaki Rasayan

Product Description

1. Capsule Angel Eye Vitale

It is a polyherbal capsule containing Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Gotukola (Centella Asiatica), Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba). It prevents eye disorders and improves the vision and strain in eyes. It removes the dark circles and tonic for eye nourishment.

DOSE:- 1-2 Capsules once or twice daily.

2. Saptamrit Loha

It is a herbal tablets which contains yashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), loha bhasma (Iron) etc. It increases the eyesight and gives strength to eye muscle.

DOSE:- 1-2 tablet twice daily

3. Jasnoor Eye Drops

It is a topical eye drop for eyes and contains Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Shobhanjana (Moringa Oleifera), Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba) etc. It improves eye vision and prevents eye infections.

DOSE:- 1-2 drops in each eye 3-4 times daily or as directed by Physician.

4. Maha Triphala Ghrit

It contains Triphala (Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), swarasa dravya (Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) etc, kalka dravya (Munnaka (Vitis vinifera) etc. It nourishes the eyes and improves vision and gets rid from strain.

DOSE:- 3 to 6 grams mixed with mishri or as directed by the physician.

5.Amalaki Rasayan

It is a single herbal capsule. It contains Amla (Emblica Officinalis) which is a rich source of vitamin C. Amla is vrushya (aphrodisiac) and predominantly works on pitta dosha so it is beneficial in eye disorders. It boosts our immunity and provides energy to fight against any disease.

DOSE:- 1-2 Capsules twice daily with plain water after meal.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604

CONCLUSION

Ocular surface diseases are eye related disorders in which mainly pitta dosha is involved. Most of the time pitta aggravating leads to diseases.But we can manage these diseases by herbal remedies like Saptamrit loha, Amalaki rasayan, Maha Triphala ghrit, herbal eye drops. In panchakarma Tarpan is a procedure which is done with any medicated ghee, nasya (medicated oil through the nose) etc.These all medications and procedures nourish our nerves of eyes and give clear vision to see objects.