AYURVEDIC VIEW ON RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA.
*Dr. Prakruthi G. and **Dr. Hamsaveni V.
ABSTRACT
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) defines a clinically and genetically diverse group of diffuse retinal dystrophies initially predominantly affecting the rod photoreceptor cells with subsequent degeneration of cones with a prevalence of 1:5000. It appears in the childhood and progresses slowly, often resulting in the blindness in advanced middle age. Even with all advancement and inventions in the field of ophthalmology complete curative treatment is not yet possible. In Ayurveda, conditions like Kaphavidagdha drushti, Dhoomadarshi, Nakulandhyata and Hraswajadya can be simulated to different stages of RP. In Kaphavidagdha drushti the patient will be able to visualize in a better way because of kaphalpata, when this dushita kapha enters tritiya patala, there manifests Nakthandhyata. In case of Dhoomadarshi aggravated pitta causes dhushti of drushti where the patient gets a smoky view of all objects. In case of Nakulandhyata, because of tridosha sanchaya in drusthi, it appears like that of drushti of nakula and there appears multicoloured objects during daytime. In Hraswajadya there will be complete loss of vision during night time and in day time patient can visualize things with great difficulty. Based on rogi and roga bala pramana, nasya, seka, anjana, alepa, putapaka, tarpana, basti, shirobasti, ghritapana helps in improving the vision and extent of peripheral vision and acts as a prophylactic in arresting or delaying the progression of disease. The chemical constituents and other phytonutrients of the drugs used to treat this condition and systematic procedure of certain therapies has the ability to cross the retinal barriers and there by giving good results in treating RP.
Keywords: Retinitis pigmentosa, Kaphavidagdha drushti, Dhoomadarshi, Nakulandhyata, Hraswajadya.
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