Efficacy of Triphala Ghrita and Goghrita Manda Tarpana in the management of Shushkakshipaka w.s.r. to dry eye syndrome: An open labelled randomized comparative clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Shalakya Tantra is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, which also includes ophthalmology. Shushkakshipaka (dry eye syndrome) is one of the diseases, involving all parts of eye (Sarvagata Netra Roga) characterized by Gharsha (gritty feeling), Toda (pricking type of pain), Kunita (photophobia), Avila Darshana (blurred vision), Daha (burning sensation) and Raktaraji (congestion in the eye). All these symptoms are similar to the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effect of Triphala Ghrita and Goghrita Manda (supernant liquid part of cow ghee) Tarpana (therapeutic procedure done on the eye) in the management of Shushkakshipaka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria of Shushkakshipaka were selected from the outpatient department and inpatient department of Shalakya Tantra, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda, Hassan. Clinical signs and symptoms were given suitable scores according to their severity, and assessment was based on the relief in these symptoms after the treatment. Patients of dry eye syndrome were allocated alternatively in two groups for Tarpana, namely Triphala Ghrita Tarpana (TGT) group and Goghrita Manda Tarpana (GMT) group and Tarpana was given for 7 consecutive days in afternoon with follow up after 15 days for 2 months. RESULTS: Moderate relief (50%–75% relief) was seen in 73.3% of the patients in both the groups, while marked relief (>75% but <100% relief) was seen in 26.7 patients in both the groups. Relief in symptoms like Gharsha (74%), Avila Darshana (65%), Upadeha (80%), Daha (72%), Kunita (78%), Toda (59%) and Raktaraji (83%) was obtained. CONCLUSION: The effect of Goghrita Manda Tarpana (GMT) on Garsha, Toda and Daha was better in immediately after treatment than Triphala Ghrita Tarpana (TGT).