Ayurveda management of vatahata vartma - A case report

Lagophthalmos is a condition characterized by incomplete or abnormal closure of eyelids along with the evaporation of tear film. If left untreated, it progresses to corneal ulceration, perforation, and visual loss. Conservative nonsurgical treatment includes the use of artificial tears, ointments, and therapeutic contact lenses. However, if nonsurgical approaches are not effective, surgical procedures such as tarsorrhaphy and gold/platinum implantation are used which are expensive with risks of poor cosmetic appearance. The current case was diagnosed as lagophthalmos which can be clinically correlated to Vatahata vartma described in Ayurveda. Amapachana followed by Panchakarma and Kriyakarmas along with Vata shamana chikitsa were adopted which are cost-effective, less invasive, and cosmetic friendly when compared with conventional science. This article highlights the successful reduction in core symptoms of lagophthalmos with the Ayurveda line of treatment.