Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital
Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital is an ophthalmic hospital based on Ayurvedic principles, founded in 2003 in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital of The INDIAN state of Kerala.
AbOUT Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital
Matha Ayurveda Eye hospital is one of the first hospitals in the world established solely as a super speciality Ayurvedic eye hospital. Founded in 2003, the hospital is an international leader in ophthalmic research and training in Ayurveda. All the treatments, medicines and research activities on ophthalmology are conducted according to ayurvedic principles.
Located in Kudappanakunnu<ref name=Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, Kudappanakunnu, google maps>
, Thiruvananthapuram, Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital is a 25 bedded independent Ayurvedic specialty eye hospital founded in 2003. The Hospital has earned international reputation for its successful management of severe and critical ophthalmic conditions<ref name=Keralafarmeronline - bleeding of blood vessels on eye treatment at Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital>
on the principles of ayurveda.
The education and training department at the hospital trains Ayurvedic doctors and paramedical staff on the treatment procedures and theories of Ophthalmology in ayurveda.
In addition to the treatment and training programs in ophthalmology in ayurveda, the hospital also conducts research and developmental activities in Ayurvedic ophthalmology on a regular basis.
Departments
Department Of paediatric Eye care in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Eye Care Program for Children was instituted by Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital in 1 June 2006 as part of its fifth anniversary celebrations. The Children's eye care kit was also launched at the function. The kit consists of eye exercise INSTRUMENTS, eye charts, and medicines (that will be prescribed on individual basis). The first beneficiaries of children's eye care program were the residents of Jayapraksh Lane, kudappanakunnu, where the hospital is situated.
Department of Geriatric Eye Care in Ayurveda
Geriatric Eye care department in Matha Ayurveda Eye hospital started functioning from 1 October 2006 (world geriatric day). The program was launched at the state pensioners meet (held at peroorkada, thiruvananthapuram). The eye camp which constituted of screening of patients and their further treatments was co-ordinated in association with the doctors and P.G students of Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Ayurvedic Preventive clinic for Eye Problems in Diabetic Patients
This preventive clinic has been functioning since the time of inception of the hospital. The clinic concentrates on the prevention of Eye problems in diabetic patients by suitable modifications and advises to lifestyle, food habits etc.
Department of Degenerative Eye dieseases in Ayurveda
Degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration, degenerative myopia, retinitis pigmentosa, are handled.
Speciality Clinics and Treatments
Ayurvedic Treatment for Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a degenerative condition of the Macula (The most sensitive portion of the eye). Among different types of macular degeneration, Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is more common.
There are two types of ARMD :
- Wet ARMD
- Dry ARMD
According to ayurvedic theory, ARMD can be considered as Vata-Pitta predominant condition. In Wet ARMD, Pitta is predominant and in Dry predominant, Vata is more predominant. In both these conditions, medicinal treatment is very effective. By systematic treatment procedures, the vision can be protected.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
According to ayurvedic principle, diabetic retinopathy can be classified into three stages :
- Initial Stage of Kapha Predominance - considerable ophthalmic symptoms are not visible and only an experienced doctor can diagnose this condition. The line of treatment should be sira-sodhanam. Nasyam, Gandoosham, kabalam, etc are more preferable in this stage than external Ayurvedic ophthalmic applications.
- Second stage of Pitta Predominance - Patient experiences ophthalmic problems such as blurring of vision, sudden decrease in vision, metamorphopsia, sometimes burning sensation in the eye, photophobia, etc. Here, pitta is the predominant dosha and pittasamana should be the line of treatment. Sirodhara, Netrasekam, vitalakam , Aschotanam, thalom, etc are preferable. Alongside, the patient has to follow strict dietary regulations. i.e, simple medication is not enough, the dietary factors, other habitual factos such as head bath, sleep, journey, oil application etc should be arranged according to the specific features of the particular individual. The factors should vary from individual to individual.
- Third stage of Tridosha Predominance - If etiological factors continue, the disease turns to complications. Here, a strict line of treatment is not possible. The treatment varies according to the particular complication. For e.g., if it is Retinal Detachment, vata predominant treatment should be considered seriously, if there is neo-vascularisation, pitta should be considered more, if there is fluid accumulation, kapha should be taken seriously.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition where pressure of the fluids insice the eye ball increases, leading to degeneration of retinal cells, which in turn lead to blindness. There are mainly two types of Glaucoma :
- Simple Chronic Glaucoma
- Acute Congestive Glaucoma
According to ayurvedic theory, simple chronic glaucoma is a kanpha predominant condition where srodhorodham is the main pathology. Ayurvedic treatment is very effective in this condition. Sodhana Chikitsa is the choice. Acute congestive glaucoma is pitta rakta predominant and the onset will be sudden. Raktasodhana is found very effective. Immediate treatment is absolutely necessary for acute congestive glaucoma conditions.
Ayurvedic Treattment for Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis Pigmentosa is a condition with gradual ProgresS and finally ends in blindness. In most cases, night blindness is the initial symptom. Gradually, colour blindness, visual field defects etc develops finally leading to blindness. In Ayurveda, this cannot be considered as a single disease. In its long course, involvement of doshas varies, the signs and symptoms vary and so the treatment also varies. In the very initial stage, kapha is the predominant dosha. Later, Pitta also get involved. In the final stage, Vata also comes to the picture and it turns to be Sannipathika in nature.
Ayurvedic Clinic for Degenerative Myopia
Degenerative Myopia is a type of Myopia (Short Sightedness) which is progressive in nature, and if not treated in time in a correct way, may lead to blindness. In Ayurveda, This can be considered as a Vata Pitta predominant condition and can be successfully managed by Ayurvedic methods. The treatment principle should be vata-pitta samana and rasayana. The medicines used should be specifically chakshushya .
Ayurvedic Treatment for Cataract
Cataract is a condition where the transparent lens inside the eye becomes opaque obstructing the light rays from entering into the eye. This gradually leads to blindness. According to ayurvedic principles, this is a condition of “Kapha Predominance”. The process is gradual, slowly leading to blindness.
According to ayurvedic principles there are three main clinical stages in the development of cataracts. In the first stage medicinal approach is highly effective. In the second stage, medicinal treatment is advisable, but the disease is not curable. That means, with medicines, we can protect the patient from being blind. In the third stage, surgery is advised to remove the opaque lens from the pathway of the light rays.
Ophthalmology in Ayurveda
Ophthalmology in Ayurveda is a branch of specialization in Ayurvedic Medical theory. There are eight branches of specialization in Ayurveda : 1. Kayachikitsa 2. Balachikitsa 3. Grahachikitsa 4. Shalakya Thantram 5. Shalya Thantram 6. Agatham 7. Rasaya Chikitsa 8. Vacheekaranm chikitsa
All the above branches of specialization are available at post graduate level ( MD in Ayurveda) which takes 3.5 years of post graduate study after the basic degree in Ayurveda (B.A.M.S) which itself takes 5.5 years. i.e.,
Shalakya Thantra
The branch called Shalakya thanthra deals with the following 1. Netra Rogas (Eye/Ophthalmic diseases) 2. Karna Rogas (Diseases of the ear) 3. Siro Rogas (Disease of the head) 4. Mukha Rogas (Dentistry, and facial diseases) 5. Kandagatha Rogas (Diseases of throat) 6. Nasagatha Rogas (Diseases of the Nose)
Ophthalmology in Ayurveda is the super specialty wing in Ayurveda. (i.e., under the specialization called Shalakya thantra, super specialization needs to be done in Netra rogas).
Background
The founders of Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital (Dr P K Santhakumari) were keen on spreading the awareness and benefits of Ayurveda and the scope of Ophthalmology in Ayurveda to the general public. The hospital has very modest beginnings. The hospital was started in a rented house with just 3 bedrooms and could accommodate only 3 or 4 patients during its initial days. The doctors had to work from makeshift O.P clinics had to survive the hard initial days with very little capital or financing available
Today
Today the hospital is a fully developed speciality ayurvedic eye hospital with all modern facilities available for investigation and treatment. The hospital follows only purely ayurvedic line of approach for treatment and investigation. Also, the in house division for medicine preparation is also fully functional. Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, now operates two hospitals at trivandrum - Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital Kudappanakunnu, and Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital Thachottukavu (Near Peyad) .
Social Service
The social service wing is operating under Matha Ayurveda Charitable society. It has frequent activities for the dissemination of knowledge and training to ayurvedic doctors in the specialized branch of ophthalmology in ayurveda. Also, it provides for financial assistance for the underprivileged. Matha Ayurveda Eye hospital has developed a program by which patients who have completed treatment are given the opportunity to help bear the cost of treatment of the the underprivileged.
Education and Training
The hospital provides education and training opportunities for qualified Ayurvedic doctors and who are interested in taking up Ophthalomology in Ayurveda (Shalakya Thantra) as specialization in their career. Two types of training programmes are available : 1. Resident Training Program - To qualify for the resident training program, the applicant should have completed a 5.5 year B.A.M.S degree course from a CCIM (Central council for indian medicine - website : http://www.ccimindia.org/)Approved college. 2. Fellowship program - To qualify for the fellowship program, the candidate should have completed a bachelors degree (5.5 year BAMS degree course form a CCIM (central council for Indian medicine - website : http://www.ccimindia.org) approved college and a post graduate degree (3 years duration) with specialization in shalakya thantra.
Publications
A textbook of ophthalmology in ayurveda is an authoritative textbook of ophthalmology in Ayurveda. The textbook is approved by Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) a statutory body established in 1971, under Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, that monitors higher education in Ayurveda as reference textbook for the Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree is the basic five-and-a-half year course of graduation.
Location
Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital is located in the city of Thiruvananthapurm. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram international airport. The hospital is at a distance of 14 km from the airport. The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram central railway station. The distance from railway station is 8 km.
Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, Thachottukavu
Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital has started its second Ayurvedic Eye Hospital at Thachottukavu<ref name=Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, Thachottukavu, google maps>
, Trivandrum.