This article originally appeared at www.drvaishnav.com
Over the past 20 years, I have tried an integrated approach to the treatment of ophthalmic cases with my friend Dr. Ranjit Maniar who is a Consulting Ophthalmic Surgeon in Mumbai. I have also had the opportunity to present papers to members of the Bombay Ophthalmic Society at their scientific sessions, viz. “The Role of Homoeopathy in Ophthalmology” at K.E. M. Hospital, Mumbai (March 1996) and “Homoeopathy in Uveitis” at P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, (July 1998). Many cured cases were discussed with the distinguished audience in both these sessions.
The different types of ophthalmic conditions that I have successfully treated with homoeopathy are post-operative inflammations and ophthalmic infections, intra-ocular haemorrhages, post-traumatic conditions of the eyes, uveitis and of course common eye diseases like conjunctivitis and styes. Many cases of glaucoma, keratitis and corneal ulcers have also responded very well to homoeopathy.
Of the many ophthalmic cases referred to me for treatment, I have found that the most common condition that I am required to treat is uveitis. The patients with uveitis come with different presentations ranging from an acute state to a chronic state.
Uveitis is most commonly classified anatomically as anterior, intermediate, posterior, or diffuse. Anterior uveitis is localized primarily to the anterior segment of the eye and includes iritis and iridocyclitis. Intermediate uveitis, also called peripheral uveitis, is centered in the area immediately behind the iris and lens in the region of the ciliary body and pars plana, hence the alternate terms “cyclitis” and “pars planitis.” Posterior uveitis signifies any of a number of forms of retinitis, choroiditis, or optic neuritis. Diffuse uveitis implies inflammation involving all parts of the eye, including anterior, intermediate, and posterior structures.
Many of the patients referred with chronic anterior uveitis have already had previous attacks of the disease in the past and it is known for this relapsing state. In anterior uveitis, most attacks last from a few days to weeks with treatment, but relapses are common. In posterior uveitis, the inflammation may last from months to years and may cause permanent vision damage, even with (allopathic) treatment.
Causes of uveitis can include trauma, autoimmune disorders, infection, or exposure to toxins. However in many cases, the cause remains unknown. This wide range of causes also translates into the need for constitutional and miasmatic prescribing wherever necessary. The systemic symptoms as well as the complications underscore the need for an effective therapy that not only treats the disease but also prevents the recurrence and complications. Convenional allopathic therapy is not always able to achieve the expected results. This is where the homoeopathic medicine comes into the picture.
The patients referred for homoeopathic treatment are prescribed the indicated homoeopathic remedy after proper case taking, and the causation, mental symptoms, physical generals and the particular symptoms are all taken into consideration and given their due importance.
The patients who are on anti-inflammatory allopathic drugs before referral for homoeopathic treatment are weaned off the medication within a maximum period of two weeks. Those who are on steroids are slowly tapered off the medication under the guidance of the ophthalmic surgeon. In most cases the patients are only on homoeopathic medicines within a period of 3-5 weeks of commencement of treatment.
The patient is referred back to the ophthalmic surgeon at regular intervals ranging from weekly (in cases of acute uveitis) to monthly (chronic uveitis) or as per the wishes of the ophthalmic surgeon. He would note his findings and refer the patient back with his evaluation of the patient’s progress.
The patient’s subjective symptoms as well as the ophthalmic surgeon’s findings are considered by me to plan the next prescription.
Below are a few cases of uveitis that have been treated with homoeopathy:
Case 1
Name: Dr. H. J. C. Age: 25 years Sex: Female Date of visit: 28-9-2005
Chief complaints:
Pain and severe photophobia in the rt. eye since 12 days. There is blurring of vision. Heaviness and dull pain in the rt. eye. The eye symptoms are < bright light3, < sun, > closing the eyes.
She also has a headache for the past 3 years esp. over the temples < before menses, > sleep3
Pain in both the shoulders since 2 weeks along with a general body ache < lifting slight weight.
Life Situation and Mind:
Presently she is anxious about the eye complaints. Likes company and mixes easily with others.
Sensitive to insults, rudeness à brooding
> consolation
She has become irritable lately and snaps at everyone.
Patient as a Person:
Appetite: good
Desires: sweets3, spicy3, warm food, tea
Aversion: nil
Thirst: 10-12 glasses of cold water per day
Sweat: in summer
Stools: hard
Urine: normal
Hot patient
Gyn. & Obst. History:
FMP: 13 years LMP: 20-7-2005 Pr. M P: 5-6 days/ 1 ½ months
Quantity: moderate Colour: maroon Clots: nil Odour: nil Stains: nil
BM: headache, weakness
Past History:
Typhoid and chicken pox in childhood.
Viral conjunctivitis and keratitis of both eyes- 2003
Acute Gastroenteritis- 2004
Family History:
Father- HT
Brother- Asthma, eczema, obsessive compulsive disorder
Examination findings:
Eyes (Externally)- congested
Rt. eye- Iritis
Diagnosis: Acute iridocyclitis
Treatment: Bryonia 200 tds x 2 weeks
Follow up:
12-10-2005: Asymptomatic. No pain, photophobia, redness of the eye.
Treatment- SL tds x 4 weeks.
10-11-2005: Asymptomatic. No visual complaints. (S/B Ophthalmic surgeon
on 2210-2005: Vision both eyes- 6/6, Iridicyclitis settled.)
Treatment- ct all tds x 4 weeks.
Case 2
Name: Mr. B S Age: 20 years
Sex: Male Date of visit: 23-8-2004
Chief complaints:
H/O injury to the rt. eye leading to an intra ocular foreign body- 2 years ago. He was operated upon and the foreign body was removed and Silicon oil was inserted in Nov. 2002.
On 1-3-2004 the silicon oil was removed and AC IOL was implanted.
At present complains of vitreous floaters in the rt. eye.
Life Situation and Mind:
His father irons clothes.
The patient left studies because he had a series of school changes as the family was frequently shifting to different cities. He wants to study but is hesitant because he left school about 4 years ago.
He fears darkness.
Dislikes being alone.
He feels sad and weeps if someone dies in the family.
Does not readily show his anger.
Patient as a Person:
Desires: vegetables, spicy food
Aversion: sweets
Thirst: normal
Sweat: scanty
Chilly patient
Addictions/Habits: tea
Past History:
Malaria- 1 year ago
Family History:
Father- Cx spondylosis, Pleural effusion (20 years ago)
Mother- cholera- twice
Sister- Cx lymph nodes
Examination findings:
Vision: Rt. eye- 6/9; Lt. eye- 6/6
IOP- 12.2 (both eyes)
Slit lamp- vitreous floaters ++
Diagnosis: Rt. vitreous floaters with sec. glaucoma and recurrent vitreitis
Treatment: Arnica 200 tds x 2 weeks
Follow up:
06-09-2004: Pt. absent. Vision improved. Treatment- ct all x 2 weeks.
23-09-2004: Pt. absent. Floaters reduced. Treatment- ct all x 2 weeks.
15-10-2004: Pt. absent. Vision improved. Treatment- ct all x 7 days.
21-10-2004: Anterior Chamber wash was done on 18-10-2004. The vision
became blurred and hazy after that. Vision Rt. eye: FC Ã 6/60.
Treatment- ct all x 7 days.
27-10-2004: S/B Dr. Maniar today: Vision: Rt. eye- 6/9; Lt. eye- 6/6, IOP-
17.3; Slit lamp- AC clear, vitreous floaters +, pupils reacting, IOL
in place. Treatment- ct all x 7 days.
09-11-2004: Floaters >>. Treatment- SL tds x 2 weeks
11-02-2005: S/B Dr. Maniar today: Vision: Rt. eye- 6/12; Lt. eye- 6/6, IOP-
17.3; Slit lamp- AC clear, vitreous floaters +, pupils reacting, IOL
in place.
Treatment- SL tds x 2 weeks then Arnica 200 tds x 2 weeks.
The patient was followed up on 17-3-2005, 12-4-2005, 5-7-2005, 30-7-2005 and 1-9-2005 when he was given SL. The vitreous floaters had reduced and he was asymptomatic. He was under observation to see if he gets a relapse of the vitreitis.
Case 3
Name: Mrs. K K Age: 44 years
Sex: Female Date of visit: 10-04-2004
Chief complaints:
Foggy vision in the Rt. eye since Feb. 2003. Was in London at that time and was treated with steroid injections and tablets. She felt better from April to June 2003, but the symptoms returned again.
In Dec. 2003, she had black patches in front of her vision in the Lt. eye with a sensation of a ball in the eye. The objects appear smaller and the vision is hazy- as if looking through smoke.
She also has a non-healing ulcer in the nostrils after a septoplasty in 1979-1980. The wound has never healed and there is a scab formation. She aslo has a tendency to sinusitis.
Life Situation and Mind:
She is a Chartered Accountant and was working with a company before she left for London.
She has been ambitious about her studies and career since childhood. She won’t give up too easily.
She wants things in order. Everything must be in its proper place.
She is hot tempered and is angry at trifles. She screams and shouts from anger. She cannot bear to be cheated.
She likes to help others and goes out of her way to make people comfortable.
She is religious and has a lot of faith in God.
She fears being alone; darkness
Sleep:
Often disturbed from worries about family matters. Fears ghosts when in bed.
Patient as a Person:
Appetite: Good
Desires: nil
Aversion: sweets
Thirst: normal
Sweat: scanty
Stools: normal
Urine: normal
Chilly patient
Gyn. & Obst. History:
FMP: 13 years LMP: 2-4-04 Pr. M P: 6 days/21-25 days
Quantity: profuse Colour: bright red Clots: nil
Odour: nil Stains: nil
BM: heaviness breasts
DM: nothing particular
AM: feels fresh and nice
Leucorrhoea: yellowish white < Menses B2 and A
Pregnancies: 2 FTNDs
Abortions: nil
Contraceptives: IUCD
Past History:
Chicken pox, Mumps and Measles in childhood
Tosillectomy- 12 years age, Nasal septoplasty- 30 years age
Family History:
Father- CVA
Mother- HT, Hysterectomy (adherent placenta)
Son- Albinism
Examination findings:
BP: 140/84 mm Hg.
Treatment: Phosphorus 200 tds x 2 weeks
Follow up:
27-04-2004: Strain in Lt. eye >>. Rt. eye still feels strained. Redness of both
eyes in the morning on waking. Objects appear smaller.
Treatment- SL tds x 2 weeks.
12-05-2004: Lt. eye vision >. Rt. eye still dim. Redness of the eyes >. Steroids
were reduced by the ophthalmic surgeon.
Treatment- Phos 200 tds x 2 weeks and SL tds x 2 weeks.
10-06-2004: Vision improved in both eyes. Mild pain around rt. eye. Floaters+
Treatment- Phos 200 tds x 1 week and SL tds x 1 week
24-06-2004: Eyes >3. No redness in the morning. Lt. eye feels ‘relaxed’. Rt.
eye- floaters +. (S/B Opthalmic surgeon on 26-5-2004: FFA was
done- no evidence of active inflammation; Resolving choroiditis in
Lt. eye and ant. Uveitis in rt. eye)
Treatment- Phos 200 tds x 2 weeks and SL tds x 2 weeks.
13-07-2004: Dark spot in front of vision in the rt. eye in the periphery of vision.
Blurred vision in the rt. eye and pain in the supra ciliary region.
(S/B Ophthalmic surgeon: Healed choroiditis in lt. eye and Uveitis
in Rt. eye.)
Treatment- Phos 1M tds x 2 weeks and SL tds x 2 weeks.
10-08-2004: (S/B Ophthalmic surgeon on 4-8-2004: both eyes quiet. Steroids
tapered further.) Pain in Rt. eye >. Floaters reduced. Scabs in
nostril > 90%.
Treatment- Phos 1M tds x 2 weeks and SL tds x 2 weeks.
This patient has been followed up till 29-9-2005 and has been given Phos 1M on 23-9-2004, 25-11-2004,17-2-2005 for a period of 1 week with SL being given the rest of the time.
She was last seen at the L.V. Prasad eye hospital at Hyderabad on 10-5-2005 and was found to be clinically normal in both the eyes. All the allopathic medicines had gradually been discontinued by this time.
Kadal Amutham
This is a rare combination of Allopathy and Homeopathy working together healing patient. One should praise the allopath who normally have a colored view of Homeopathy
alpna verma
this is the really appreiaciating vision towards homoeopathy.this type of practice of homoeopathy makes us pride.
dr makarand bothe
excellent cases , for encouraging the homoeopaths to practise in different special organ& patholagical cases by homoeopthic view, after publishing such cases we have got view ofother, pls giv the essenscil proof ofexpertattached with cases
pranava
Very interesting article. Can these treatments be availed in other cities of India as well for glaucoma and retinal detachment ????
Dr. D D Bohra
Nice article, with my share of experience in Ophthalmic disorders,I can say that Homeopathy gives wonderful results.