Netra Kriyakalpa

Kriyakalpa is the basis of the ophthalmic disorders, as Panchkarma is the basis of Kayachikitsa (medicine branch of ayurveda). When we refer to our classics for the therapeutic measures adopted in the management of eye diseases, we find that the management includes many of the topical treatments along with systemic ones. The reason might be that the drugs administered systematically may not cross the blood aqueous, blood-vitreous and blood-retinal barriers. There are seven types of kriyakalpas mentioned in ayurvedic texts-

1) Tarpana
2) Putapaka
3) Ashchyotana
4) Parisheka
5) Anjana
6) Pindi
7) Bidalaka/Vidalaka

Tarpana

In this procedure the medicated ghee is kept in eye for a specific time by special arrangement. It gives nourishment to the eyes and cures vata and pitta eye disorders. Used in the management of Progressive refractive errors, computer vision syndrome, tiredness of eyes and retinal diseases.

Indications of Netra Tarpana—

• Useful in weak eye sight (myopia and hypermetropia).
• Gives very good results in children up to 18 years of age in progressive myopia.
• Glaucoma
• Keratitis
• Dry eye syndrome
• Computer vision syndrome
• Squint
• Conjunctivitis
• Optic nerve atrophy
• Cellulitis
• Eyes which has been constantly and repeatedly affected and debilitated due to many diseases
• Entropion

Putapaka

The procedure is same as tarpana but the medicine extracted from herbs
by putapaka procedure, usually carried after tarpana.

Ashchyotana

In this process the medicated eye drops are poured into eye from a specific height.

Eye drop concept in modern science are meant only to instil one or two drops that may stay on the surface of the eye only for one or two second, but in aschyotana the drug which is in the form of an aqueous solution falls on the cornea and conjunctiva from a safe height of 3 to 4 inch continuously for about 10 minutes. Here the drug has an access of entering the conjunctival blood vessels about more than 100 times as compared to that of modern eye drops.

Indications of aschyotana—

• Ocular inflammatory conditions
• Infection and allergic condition of conjunctiva and cornea
• Burning pain
• Lacrimation

Parisheka

In this procedure medicine is poured on closed eye continuously from four inches height for specific time according to doshas. It is indicated in acute inflammatory conditions.

Anjana

In this procedure ayurvedic medicines are applied over inner surface of lid margin from medial canthus to lateral canthus with anjana shalaka (ayurvedic instrument for application).

Indications of anjana—

• Refractive errors.
• Dry eyes.
• Watery eyes.
• Computer vision syndrome
• Eye strain
• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Night blindness
• Ptosis
• Stiffness and roughness of the eye
• Corneal ulcers
• Inflammatory lesions of the eye

Pindi

It is a mild sudation applied over the eyes by luke warm paste made out of different plant parts.

Indications of pindi—

• Glaucoma
• Conjunctivitis
• Inflammatory condition of eye

Bidalak/Vidalaka

In this process paste of different drugs is applied over the closed eyelids leaving the eye lashes.

Indications of Bidalaka/Vidalaka—

• Uveitis
• Conjunctivitis
• Hyper-lacrimation
• Pain
• Itching

Conclusion-

Ayurvedic texts advices-

“All effort should be made by men to protect the eyes, throughout the life; for the man who is blind this world is useless, the day and night are the same even though he may have wealth”. (Ashtang Hriday)