Netra Tarpanam – Ayurvedic Eye Treatment for Healthy Vision

Definition – Tarpanam is a procedure in which Medicated Liquid is put over the eyes in a ridge surrounding the eyes. Tarpanam word itself indicates nourishment of the senses. Medicated Ghritam is used maximally in Netra-tarpanam. Netra tarpanam is a rejuvenating ayurvedic treatment for our eyes. This strengthens eye muscles, reduces burning sensations in eyes and relieves dry eye syndromes. Very effective ayurvedic therapy for people working on computers and mobiles.

Method –.
Before tarpanam, patient should be undergone Purification of Body by Vamanam, Virechanam, or Raktamokshanam and purification of body parts upper to neck by Nashyam. Procedure – Patient is asked to lie down on the Droni (procedure table) in the supine position. One small piece of cotton is put on the pinna of the ear on each side. Eyelids should be mild fomented with cotton dipped in lukewarm water. Then a Ridge should be made surrounding the eyes. Ridge should be made up of a thick
paste of Masha powder and water.

The height of the ridge should be 2-3 inches. When this ridge gets dried, the medicated ghritam (which is melted by keeping ghritam in hot water vessel for a short while and filtered genuinely) should be put in the ridge slowly. The ghritam should be filled in the ridge to the height of eyelashes. Then ridges should be covered by a paper to avoid exposure of light to eyes. The patient is asked to close and open their eyes intermittently.

This procedure should be done for 15-30 minutes depending upon the disease and condition of patients. After this period, medicine should be taken out by making a hole into the ridge on the lateral side. Ridge should be taken out and should be wasted in the dustbin. The eyelid should be wiped with the cotton piece. Mild fomentation should be given to eyelids with cotton dipped into lukewarm water. Eyes should be bandaged after tarpanam to avoid the direct exposure of light to the eyes.

Precautions—Certain precautions should be taken after tarpanam. Patients should avoid exposure to cold water and wind to the eyes. Patients shouldn’t take cold drinks and cold food items. During the eye treatments, patients should take a light and easily digestible diet.

Indications – Cortical Blindness, Complete Optic Atrophy, Retinitis Pigmentosa and other retinal degenerations, macular degenerations, Glaucoma, Diabetic Neuropathy, Dry eye syndrome, Corneal degenerations and dystrophy, Diplopia, uveitis, squint, ptosis, pterygium, other neuro-ophthalmic disorders, etc.

Contra indications – Acute inflammations, infectious diseases without purification of the body, foreign body embedded in cornea, acute trauma to eyes, tender eyes, etc…