Eye complications of Amavata and its management.

Abstract

Amavata is a disease caused by undigested food particles (Ama) due to improper function of Agni at different levels. This Ama, associating itself with Vata, moves quickly towards different seats of Kapha in the body lling in them and leading to pain all over the body, joints, loss of taste, thirst, lack of enthusiasm, heaviness, fever, indigestion and swelling of the body parts (joint). Amavata can be co-related with Rheumatoid Arthritis which is a chronic inammatory connective tissue disorder mainly affecting musculoskeletal system producing a wide variety of extra articular manifestation. RA that affects joints can also cause complictions for eyes, lungs, skin, heart, blood vessels and other organs. Dry eye or Keratitis Sicca (Shushka Akshipakatya) is a main complication of RA which causes lack of sufcient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. Due to vitiation of Vata Dosha in Amavata, it causes lack of production of tears (moisture contents in eye) which results in dry eye. Inammation from RA causes abnormalities in the tear glands (lacrimal), signicantly reducing uid secretion. Scleritis (Shirajala) is an inammation of the sclera (the white outer wall of the eye) which is the second main complication of RA. It is one of the Shleshmasthana in the body due to association of Kapha. Vitiated Vata and Kapha Dosha in Amavata patient further leads to vitiation of Pitta Dosha in Sclera producing Shirajala. Thus it can be concluded that RA is a systemic connective tissue disorder and it affects any collagen connective tissue like eye at its chronic stage. On the basis of these facts, an Ayurvedic approach of management can be planned for its prevention and treatment.