Drishtināśa due to Vātaja Vikāra: Ayurvedic Vision of Retinal Separation

Drishtināśa due to Vātaja Vikāra: Ayurvedic Vision of Retinal Separation

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1. Modern Explanation:

Retinal detachment is an emergency condition where the retina separates from the underlying tissue, cutting off its blood and nutrient supply. If untreated, it leads to permanent blindness.

There are three types:

• Rhegmatogenous (tear or break)

• Tractional (due to pulling in diabetics)

• Exudative (due to fluid accumulation)

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2. Signs and Symptoms:

• Sudden appearance of floaters or black spots

• Flashing lights (photopsia)

• Shadow or curtain over the field of vision

• Sudden or partial loss of vision

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3. Ayurvedic Correlation:

🟢 Closely correlates with:

• Drishtināśa (दृष्टिनाश) – sudden or progressive vision loss

• Also associated with Timira progressing to Linganāśa, especially due to Vātaja Kṣaya (degeneration)

Degeneration of retinal tissue due to Vāta-Rakta duṣṭi leads to retinal detachment-like pathology.

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4. Doṣa–Duṣya–Samprāpti:

• Doṣa: Predominantly Vāta with Rakta involvement

• Duṣya: Majjā, Rasa, Rakta

• Srotas: Raktavaha, Majjavaha

• Samprāpti: Vāta deranges the supporting matrix of the retina, leading to detachment; Rakta and Pitta vitiation worsens the damage

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5. Śloka Reference:

Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttara Tantra, 13/20:
"वातेन दृष्टेरबलत्वमन्धता च जायते..."

🔹 Vāta causes weakening of vision and potential blindness.

Suśruta Uttara 7/22:
"चतुर्थपटलगते दोषे लिङ्गनाशं प्रयच्छति॥”

🔹 When doshas reach the 4th patala (retinal/optic area), blindness occurs.

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6. Ayurvedic Management:

❗ Note: In complete retinal detachment, emergency surgical intervention is advised. Ayurveda supports in prevention, early stages, and post-operative care.

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🔹 Local Therapies (Kriyākalpa):

• Netraseka: Yashtimadhu + Triphala decoction

• Tarpana: Triphaladi Ghrita / Jeevantyadi Ghrita

• Putapāka: Nourishing chakshushya herbs

🔹 Internal Medicines:

• Saptamrita Lauha – 250 mg with honey and ghee

• Punarnavadi Mandura – for reducing retinal oedema

• Ashwagandhādi Churna – for Vāta-nāśaka action

• Yogendra Rasa or Brahmi Vati – to support Majjā Dhātu

🔹 Panchakarma:

• Nasya: Jeevantyadi Taila for optic nerve strength

• Basti:

  • Ksheera Basti – Majjā nourishing

  • Tikta Basti – Tridosha balancing and retinal health

• Mild Virechana: for Pitta-Rakta shamana

🔹 Rasayana:

• Brahmi Ghrita, Triphala Rasayana, Shatavari

• Amla, Guduchi, Shilajatu

🔹 Pathya:

• Cow ghee, green leafy soup, Triphala, gourd vegetables

• Avoid: Excess heat, dryness, spicy food, screen exposure, emotional stress

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📝 Summary Insight:

Retinal detachment reflects Majjā–Rakta Vikṛti with predominant Vātaja pathology. Ayurveda offers Majjāvaha srotoshodhana and Rasāyana chikitsā for strengthening vision and preventing recurrence or progression.

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Now that we've completed 6 diseases, here’s a 📘 summary table for your quick reference:

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✅ Summary Table: 1–6 Eye Diseases (Modern & Ayurvedic View)

No.	Modern Disease	Ayurvedic Name	Dominant Doṣa	Ayurvedic Management Highlights
1	Refractive Errors	Timira	Pitta + Vāta	Tarpana, Anjana, Nasya, Saptamrita Lauha
2	Cataract	Kacha / Linganāśa	Kapha + Vāta	Ghrita Tarpana, Anjana, Virechana, Triphala Ghrita
3	Diabetic Eye Disease	Madhumeha janya Timira	Tridoṣaja	Basti, Virechana, Rasāyana, Vasantakusumākara, Chyawanprash
4	Macular Degeneration	Patalagata Timira / Majjakshaya	Vāta + Pitta	Rasāyana, Ksheera Basti, Anjana, Yogendra Rasa
5	Glaucoma	Adhimantha / Vātānubandha Abhishyanda	Vāta + Kapha	Virechana, Basti, Triphala Anjana, Saptamrita, Pathyadi Kwatha
6	Retinal Detachment	Drishtināśa (Vātaja origin)	Vāta + Rakta	Tarpana, Yogendra Rasa, Majjā basti, Rasayana