Ayurvedic treatment for Glaucoma: An experience

After my eye surgery for fixing retinal detachment, I was told by medical doctor that I have developed Glaucoma. Doctor tried to treat it with   topical drops but when it was not controlled properly, I was advised to go for another surgery in my right eye (Phaco+IOL with medical control of glaucoma poor prognosis due to glaucoma and retina-Right eye pupiloplasty).  I was told clearly that it is a probability of correction but not assured correction. I went through then to understand what  Glaucoma is?     

Common Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma could be called the silent killer of vision, as the progressive degeneration that sets in the eye, resulting in total loss of vision, if left untreated. The primary cause of glaucoma  is  the build up of fluid pressure  within the eye     (between the iris and the retina) which starts pressing against the walls, resulting in the optic nerves getting damaged, and if left unchecked, results in permanent damage. This condition, referred to as ocular hypertension first causes loss of peripheral vision.

What are the Causes for Glaucoma? 

Other causes include direct injury to the eye, eye infection and inflammation. It has been found that more than half the patients who have glaucoma set in do not recognise their gradual loss of peripheral vision as there are no ‘noticeable’ symptoms.

I searched then Ayurveda by which degenerative diseases are very successfully treated. In the process, I got a reference of Sreedhareeyam  Ayurvedic Eye Hospital in Kerala. I contacted them and had video conferencing with Dr. Shrikanth Namboothiri.

It was a COVID time and hence given prescription of medicines for the treatment. It continued for about three months and  final I was asked to go to their hospital at  Koothattukulam, Ernakulam  for treatment. I landed Kochi airport from Ahmedabad at about 1:00 pm on 21-Jan-2021. On my request a car was sent to airport by the PRO of the hospital on payment. Mr. Jishil Abraham, the smart driver droop me to the hospital by 2:30 pm and it took about half an hour for resgistration and room allotment. As per the COVID protocol of the state, I was put in the 3^rdfloor (Room # 4456) in isolation ward where about 21 new patients were accommodated. We were strictly advised not to go out of the room. All essentials like food will be served in the room only. It was like a house arrest. A red tag was put on our hand to recognize that we are the patients of quarantine ward. New building is an excellent new construction with separate treatment rooms and rooms for staying. 

Next day samples for rapid antigen test for COVID-19 was collected and thereafter Dr Naryanan  Namboothiri, Chief Physician   visited with his juniors and advised treatments for each patients. Treatment started in the afternoon of 22-Jan-2021. From 23-Jan-2021, treatment schedule started at 5:30 am and ended at 4:00 to 4:30 pm with break for breakfast and lunch. Everyday morning and evening, blood pressure and temperature were measured and recorded. A battery of senior doctors including Dr. Shrikantha Namboothiri, Chief Medical Officer with whom I did video conferencing  started visiting and examining the patients on a regular interval. On 27-Jan-2021 again samples were collected for RT-PCR test of COVID-19. On 28-Jan-2021 we received our test result and surprisingly, one of our fellow patients was found positive. As a conscience, he was shifted to another location and our quarantine was extended further for a week. It was set back for many of our fellow patients. However, hospital authority continued our treatments with care and caution. In this period, we started mingling and opening to our our fellow patients. I started enquiring problems of others and came to know about vivid types of misery they are passing through, which, when I compared with mine looked how fortunate I am. Very quickly, I also become close to most of the nurses and other helping hands including those who were serving food to us. Many of them shared their personal matters with me.   

I shall tell about them briefly too after I describe the types of treatments I received.  

Treatment Schedule:

#	Treatment	Starting Date	Ending Date	Time
1	Nethradhara (closed)	22-Jan-21	30-Jan-21	8:00-9:00 am & 2:30-3:30 pm
2	Anjanam (RE); eye drop	22-Jan-21	9-Feb-21	8:00-9:00 am & 2:30-3:30 pm
3	Nasal drop (Nasyam)	23-Jan-21	31-Jan-21	5:30 am
4	Kashayam	23-Jan-21	9-Feb-21	6:00 am & 6:00 pm
5	Thalam	23-Jan-21	24-Jan-21	10:00-11:00 am
6	Purumpuda (RE)	23-Jan-21	24-Jan-21	11:00-12:00 noon
7	Shiravesthanam	25-Jan-21	30-Jan-21	10:00-11:00 am
8	Purumpuda (RE)	25-Jan-21	9-Feb-21	3:30-4:30 pm
9	Dhanyamladhara	31-Jan-21	2-Feb-21	10:00-11:00 am
10	Nethrapichu	31-Jan-21	9-Feb-21	2:30-3:30 pm
10	Siradhara	1-Feb-21	7-Feb-21	11:00-11:30 am
11	Virechanam	3-Feb-21	3-Feb-21	6:00-6:30 am
12	Mathra Vasthi	4-Feb-21	8-Feb-21	After lunch

Every treatments were started with prayer.

Dhanyamladhara

Dhanyamladhara which literally means a ‘dhara’ or pouring of a medicinal liquid called Dhanyamlam over the patient’s body. This herbal liquid is made of cereals with highly nutritious starch content like Navara rice or millet. This treatment is given to the diseases caused by the derangement of vata humour are treated with dhanyamla.

Kasyam seeradhara

Sirodhara is of various types. It is done either with oil or medicated water which is called Kasyam. A concoction of medicinal plants is poured slowly on the forehead with massage. This is done for about 30 minutes and thereafter a Kasyam is given for drinking. 

Matra vasti

Vasti is one part of the highly effective panchkarma treatment. One particular form of vasti is matra vasti. A matra vasti treatment consists of abhyangam—an oil massage   with a vayu decreasing oil—that is suited to your prakriti.

Basti is an enema of herbal oils or decoctions used in Ayurveda. Basti is one of the five Pradhana Karmas of Panchakarma and it is used to treat vata disorders.

Vasti is an important treatment in Ayurveda and it’s especially meant for rheumatic (vata) diseases. There are many types of vasti. This treatment should be done under the guidance of an expert Ayurveda doctor(vaidya) and all kind of rheumatic (vata) disorders would have eliminate with the proper use of vasti. Kashaya vasti, Uttaravasti, Snehavasti, Siro vasti etc. are known as the main Vastis. It has a proven method of Ayurveda and the Vasti treatment is very effective in every aspect.

In this treatment, the system is cleansed with herbal oil applied through the rectum.
Mathravasthi is effective in curing arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia and numbness. The treatment is done for a period of 3 to 14 days.

Nasyam

Therapeutic administration of medicine through the nostrils. For the treatment of diseases affecting the chest and above, Migraine, Tic doulorex (Trigeminal neuralgia), Facial Palsy(bell’s palsy), Cervical Spondylosis, Degenerative disc disorders, IVDP, Bone disorders, Sinusitis, Ophthalmic diseases, Hair fall, etc. Nasyam ( instillation of medicine in nose )

Netradhara

Netradhara is a simple eye treatment in Ayurveda. In this treatment, extracts of herbs that possess preventive and curative properties are thoroughly inundated to the patient’s eyes.

Nethra Pichu  

Placing cotton or cotton cloth soaked with medicated material   for one hour. Pichu is performed in those patients who cannot withstand the course of Shirovasti. This is useful in diseases of eye ear nose and head ache depending on the medicinal quality of oil.

Purampada

Mukkadi purampada, Pindi ( placing of herbal paste over eye) was done regularly. It is an important eye treatment mostly done for all the eye patients.  

Sirovesthanam 

When people speak of sirovasthi, they are referring to an Ayurvedic treatment in which medicated oils are applied on the head and kept there for about fifteen to sixty minutes, depending on the ailment to be treated. The oil is kept on the head with the help of a special bandage made out of organic material. The oils are heated and cooled to room temperature before they are poured onto your head. Used specifically to treat ailments related to the head, nostrils, sinuses and throat, the main aim of this treatment is to balance your doshas and therefore cure ailments related to the imbalance of that dosha.

The oil used for sirovasthi is specially made to suit you and is decided upon after a complete study of your health and the balance of your doshas. Generally, the oil contains a mixture of gingley oil, staff tree, castor oil, ghee, milk and medicinal herbs like black gram, bala, bacopa and winter cherry. 

Sirovasthi is a treatment that is known to help treat ailments like dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, facial paralysis, severe headaches, eye diseases, diseases of cranial nerves, hair fall, to improve memory and vision. Here is what the treatment can do for you.

Thalam 

Thalam is an Ayurvedic therapeutic remedy. Thalam is the Malayalam name for Shiro Vasti (Shiro Basti) and the Ayurvedic Theraputic measure Shiro Vasti can define as Thalam in Malayalam. Thalam enhance and nourishes the brain cells. It’s a very effective treatment and it cures insomnia, stress, tension and different kind of mental conditions. Thalam is pure and natural in every aspect. It has everything to prevent mental abnormalities. The way of Thalam activity is very special. The medicinal oil is retaining over the head in a sealed manner. A suitable cap is using for retaining the medicinal oil over the head. This process provides nourishment to the brain and it prevents brain damaging. In the past and many years back the Thalam treatment is meant only for mental patients and almost illness and mental disorders were treated successfully. The modern life styles create many kind of mental problems include with insomnia and stress. Thalam is a redesigned way of Ayurveda treatment especially to implement in stress, insomnia, tension, anxiety etc.

Virechana

Virechana is a Sanskrit word that means “laxative” or “purging” and may refer to any substance used to induce purging. Virechana is a controlled process that gathers ama (toxins) from many Pitta locations in the body, concentrates it in the small intestine, and then discharges it.

 clean and toxin-free digestive tract benefits the entire body system, keeping your healthy, disease free and energetic. Virechanam is one such therapy of the panchakarma therapies that effectively detoxifies the body through means of purgation.

Virechanam is the medicated purgation therapy that completely cleanses the body of the pitta dosha, and removes toxins from the gastrointestinal tract, liver and gallbladder.

The procedure is carried out by liquefying and smoothening the doshas and bring them to the intestine before the actual treatment is given. On the day of the therapy, virechanam specific drugs are given to the patient to induce bowel movements. It facilitates the elimination of pitta from kidneys, lungs and sweat glands, purifies the blood, and treats and uproots diseases ensuring non recurrence.

The treatment is known to effectively heal the following conditions,

• Piles
• Jaundice
• Spleen Enlargement
• Liver disorders
• Intestinal disorders
• Womb ailments
• Semen disorders
• Worms in intestine 
• Arthritis 
• Constipation 
• Skin diseases like Herpes,  Psoriasis  
• Diabetes 
• Paraplegia, Hemiplegia
• Joint disorders
• Gynaecological disorders
• Asthma

Wonderful staff who treated us

Dr Naryanan  Namboothiri, Chief Physician :A very soft spoken doctor with immense experience of eye treatment.  He is like a pillar of the Hospital. In fact he was shouldering the responsibility of deciding treatments for all the patients. 

Dr Shrikantha  Namboothiri, Chief Medical Officer: He was visiting me often as Consultant doctor with whom I did first my video consultation. 

Dr. Susan Rose Joseph, Duty Doctor: She was very helpful and clearing my doubts regarding treatments and also acting as a bridge between Dr. Narayanan and me. 

Deepa:She is a very soft spoken person in the treatment desk. She overviews  and coordinates the various treatment schedule of all the patients in the floor.  

Pradeep: A very friendly person who can speak all the four south Indian languages and also fluent in Hindi. He is an ever ready person to extend help to all the patients.  

Aswathi: A nurse of rare serving attitude with always smiling face  who makes patients  to feel comfortable and ease. 

Surjeet: Ayoung man who can not speak Hindi well but his body language makes patients to feel ease. 

Jinnesh: Another very friendly person who gives various treatments. Have good Hindi and English speaking ability. 

Athira Raju:  A very jolly lively nurse. Speaks good English and communicate with ease. 

Sneeha: A jolly young nurse who speaks English well. She talks in friendly manner. 

Ashawaria: Ashy young nurse with smiling face always. 

Anu:  An PRO assistant who took me to their herbal nursery for my visit on my request. Her assistance was very useful for me. 

My Fellow Patients whose company made my stay homely:

1. Aadya, a lovely girl from Hyderabad
2. Vardhan, a young boy  from Nasik
3. Ayush from Dhanbad
4. Chetan from Indore
5. Chitti Babu from Chennai
6. Prashanta and Mohan from Chennai
7. Srinivasan from Chennai
8. Ranganathan from Chennai (L&T)

My treatment is not yet finished. I have been given two months medicines and asked to report back after two months in their Mumbai branch. There is some improvement in vision but eye pressure is still hovering between 26-29 which should come back below 20. I am hopeful that it will certainly be normal over a period of time. 

Some of the essential items you must carry under COVID situation 

1. 2-3 towels 
2. Spoons
3. Water bottle
4. Soap and detergents
5. No laundry facilities

Disclaimer: 

This blog has been written by taking information from various open sources available in web. My experiences expressed in my blog is purely personal and should not be considered as universal.