Assessment of acceptance of Ayurveda Visual Science Medications: Revealing unmet needs

Abstract

Ayurvedic Visual Science (AVS) has served the nation since Rajashri Nimi, the King of Videha, well documented in Susruta Samhita in 800-600BC. Vision is the most essential sensory function of humans. Loss of vision is considered the highest disability in the general population. Still the unmet needs in ophthalmic research include glaucoma, retinal dystrophies, diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinitis pigmentation (RP), dry eye, progressive myopia, macular degeneration, and corneal diseases. There is no solution of many disorders in spite of the great invention in modern diagnosis and treatment. AVS has progressed tremendously in treating diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and other incurable diseases. The Ayurvedic ocular medication comprises oral medication, Panchakarma and Kriya kalpa(Ocular procedures) to treat eye diseases holistically after factoring in the entire health profile of patients. A small cross-sectional study was conducted at Sri Sri Ayurveda Medical College, Bangalore, and 885 patients were included, nearly 02% of the total OPD strength of Shalya & Shalakya OPD. Maximum patients are males between the ages of 51-60 years. The most accepted group for Ayurveda Ocular treatment suffered from progressive myopia (26%), followed by 24% of patients with diabetic retinopathy and 13% with chronic conjunctivitis and Age-related macular degeneration. A consensus roadmap from AYUSH should address the unmet need through Ayurveda visual science supported by tangible clinical outcomes.