A case study on Ayurvedic management of primary open angle glaucoma with special reference to Adhimantha

Abstract

In the world, glaucoma ranks second in terms of causes of irreversible blindness, and third in India. In India, an estimated 11.2 million persons aged 40 and older have glaucoma, including 6.48 occurrences of POAG. The goal of the disease's management is to reduce intraocular pressure using existing medication like Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Beta blockers, and Prostaglandin analogues. Not every patient will benefit from these treatments. This case study concerns a 22-year-old male patient who came to Shalakyatantra OPD complaining of pain in his right eye, diminished vision in both eyes, redness in the Rt. eye, and a feeling of heavy eyes. The patient was diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma and was taking eye drops Dorzalomide T. Upon examination, the patient's distant visual acuity was 1 meter finger count in the right eye and Hand Movement Positive in the left eye. Right eye intra ocular pressure measurements were 41 mmHg and Lt eye were 10 mmHg. In ayurveda, above symptoms can be correlated with Adhimantha mentioned in Sarvagata roga. Patient was treated with Deepan, Pachana, Virechana and Vata- kapha shamak internal medications along with therapeutical procedures like Pindi, Jalaukacharana for around 3 months. The right eye's visual acuity significantly improved both throughout and after the course of treatment. The intraocular pressure returned to its baseline. Every symptom from before had entirely subsided. Therefore, it can be said that the Ayurvedic method helps to provide a complementary treatment plan for POAG.