Abstract

USAGE OF AYURVEDA FOR EYE DISEASES AMONG PATIENTS IN AN AYURVEDIC OPHTHALMIC TREATMENT AND RESEARCH FACILITY IN NEW DELHI

N.Srikanth, Bharat Bhushan, Biji P.B., Sarda Ota, N.P.P. Nampoothiri, Devesh Tewari*, M.M.Padhi and Abhimanyu Kumar

ABSTRACT

From historical point of view it is evident that Ayurvedic drugs and procedure based therapies are exceedingly used in alleviating wide range of ocular conditions. Shalakya-tantra-the core engrossing specialty of Ayurveda, deals with management of ocular illness and has been significantly contributing to the eye care. In this study is an attempt has been made to present the data on healthcare seeking behavior and utilization pattern among the patients attending Ayurvedic ophthalmic and treatment facility located at Ayurveda Central Research Institute of (a CCRAS Research Institute), New Delhi, for various eye maladies. The data generated during the period 2010 -2015 repossessed from the records, annual reports and analyzed by using appropriate scientific methods and presented. The study revealed preference of the patients towards Ayurveda for chronic and refractory ocular illness such as retinitis pigmentosa, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy including other diseases of retina, glaucoma, optic neuropathy etc. Further the pattern of follow-ups and year wise attendance pattern of patents are indicative of growing interest towards Ayurveda based eye care.Such information would certainly provide an insight on perception of users of Ayurveda approaching for ophthalmic services.

Keywords: Ayurveda, shalakyatantra, eye diseases, healthcare seeking attitude.