Abstract

AN AYURVEDIC TREATMENT PROTOCOL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ARMA W.R.T TO PTERYGIUM - A CASE REPORT

Tamanna* and Veena Himanshu Sharma

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Abstract

Shalakya tantra is one of the Ashtangas of Ayurveda that deals with the diseases affecting the Urdhwajatrugata Vyadhi (organs above the clavicle). The most important organ of Urdhwajatrugataavayawa is eye. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned eleven types of Shuklagata Rogas that is the white part of the eye in which Arma is also one of the Shuklagata Vyadhi's. Arma is a disease of Shukla Mandala. It is a disease in which a wing like growth is gradually developing from either Kaneenika Sandhi (inner canthus) or Apangasandhi (outer canthus) or from both sides towards the Krishna Mandala (cornea). On the basis of signs and symptoms described in modern medical science, the disease 'Arma' can be correlated to pterygium. The word 'pterygium' is derived from the Greek word 'pterygion' which means a small wing of butterfly. Pterygium is one of the common ocular surface disorders. It is basically a fibrovascular overgrowth of the subconjunctival tissue, triangular in shape, and encroaching on to the cornea in the medial and lateral palpebral fissure. Pterygium is not only a degenerative disease but may he proliferative disorder of the ocular surface. The aetiology of Pterygium has intrigued researchers for centuries. Several surveys have consistently shown that countries near the equator have higher rates of Pterygium. A possible reason for this geographic variation is that UV B radiation may be a risk factor for the development of Pterygium. UV B radiation may induce cellular changes in the medial/lateral limbus of the cornca. Genetic attributes and other lifestyle behaviours may also contribute to the development of Pterygium. The causative factors of Arma include exposure to dust, light, Dhooma, Raja, variation in seasons, unhygienic conditions and Asatmya Vihara. This is the case report of 18 years old male patient complaints of Gharsha (foreign body sensation), Avildarshana (blurred vision), Netrasrava (lacrimation), Raga (redness/congestion of conjunctiva) since 2 years. Material and Methods: The subject who approached Shalakya Tantra OPD of MSM Institute of Ayurveda, khanpur Kalan, Sonipat with complaints of Gharsha (foreign body sensation), Avildarshana (blurred vision), Netrasrava (lacrimation), Raga (redness/congestion of conjunctiva) since 2 years was systematically reviewed and treatment modalities like Lekhana anjan with Chandrodaya Varti. Result: The subject showed marked improvement symptomatically. Discussion: Arma is affecting the eye and hampering the lifestyle of the patient. It is a mainly a type of mamsavriddhi. Lekhana Anjana because of it’s Sukshma, Tikshana Guna gradually reduce the thickness of the membrane of pterygium and preventing the further growth of Arma. It also helps in the removal of Dushitakaphadi Doshas which causes Mamsadushti.

Keywords: Arma, Pterygium, Lekhana anjana.