CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF AKSHI-TARPANA AND ITS ROLE IN MYOPIA: A REVIEW

Myopia is a refractive error and a major eye health problem with significant social, personal, educational, and economic impacts. Globally, myopia affects 7.9 to 19.7% of the population. It is irreversible in progression and can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. All these treatments are not patient-friendly and are also not the actual solution to the pathology occurring in the eye. The symptoms of myopia closely resemble the disease Timira involving the prathama and dwitiya patala of netra (the eye's anatomical structures). Furthermore, both diseases share similar anatomical structures and pathogenesis. There is a great need to find an ocular procedure to prevent and treat myopia having no or least adverse effects. In Ayurveda, kriyakalpa includes different topical therapeutic procedures for treating eye diseases. Tarpana is one among seven kriyakalpa that not only nourishes the eyeball but cures the diseases of the eye. Preventative and curative effects can be achieved with Tarpana karma for eye diseases. Using a special arrangement, an oily substance (ghrita) is kept in the eye for a predetermined period in Tarpana karma. This article reviews Tarpana karma and its role in myopia prevention and progression.