An insight into eye sight

By K.A. Martin

KOCHI, AUG. 26. Nellikattu Mani at Kizhakombu, near Koothattukulam, is offering some insights into eyesight. The old `mana', set in idyllic surroundings, has turned into Sreedhareeyam Ayurveda Gaveshana Kendram (a research centre in Ayurveda) over the last two years.

In the process, the `mana' has become a fountain of hope for hundreds of people with eye problems but have found no solace in other systems of medicine.

Now a team of four Ayurvedic doctors at the centre attend to about 150 patients in a daily ritual of dedication and commitment to a cause they have made their own -- to do whatever they can to lead more and more people from darkness to light.

For the last two years, eye patients have come here from the length and breadth of the State and even outside, relying purely on word-of-mouth reports. As the numbers swelled, the Ayurveda centre has been forced to hire lodges and rooms available in the nearby Koothattukulam town.

It all started two years ago under the inspiration of Dr. N.P.P. Namboodiri, medical officer at the Government Ayurveda Hospital, Thodupuzha. Dr. Namboodiri's talents with the eye has earned him a celebrity status among his patients in Thodupuzha.

He has shared his knowledge and experience with the team of young doctors at Sreedhareeyam. The patients here are attended to by Dr. N. Narayanan Namboodiri, Dr. N.P.S. Kala, Dr. Soumya Damodaran and Dr. N.S. Rajan. Inspired by the researches done by Dr. N.P.P. Namboodiri, these doctors have applied themselves to the task of exploring the capabilities of Ayurveda in a medical specialisation.

So far, the results have been encouraging. While the doctors have fought shy of publicity and made no claims to working miracles, their patients have had pleasant surprises.

A young professional from Kasaragod is bracing up to face life after his eyes, afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa, has responded well to the treatment. "My side vision has improved tremendously and the spot in the eye has virtually disappeared," he said when asked about his experience.

He has undergone four courses of treatment already over the last two years. "The doctor had warned me that the treatment would be long drawn," he said.

According to the doctors at Sreedhareeyam, an effective treatment of the problem is not available in some of the other systems of medicine.

Mr. Raizuddin who runs his own business in Palakkad had a severe allergy problem and one day he discovered that his eye sight was deteriorating. Raizudddin, who was at Sreedhareeyam last week for his first course of medicine, is optimistic that his eyes would respond. So are hundreds of others like a 16-year-old girl from Palakkad who has responded well to the treatment for night blindness.

Patients are given traditional Ayurvedic therapy, taking a holistic view of their problems. Rejuvenation of nerves and muscles is a key factor.

According to the doctors, 90 per cent of the patients they have attended to have chronic problems. Retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, myopia and glaucoma are some of them.

Every treatment at Sreedhareeyam begins with an invocation to the family deity and God seems to be on their side.

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Section  : Southern States
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