Ayurvedic Treatment for Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary, forceful contractions of the eyelid muscles.

Causes 

The exact cause is idiopathic, but genetic predisposition triggered by an environmental factor is also considered a cause for Blepharospasm.

- Neurological Factors: Cranial nerve (Seventh – facial nerve) inability in coordinating movements

- Genetic Factors: Familial incidence of cranial dystonia in first-degree relatives is seen.

- Environmental Factors: Chronic eye strain, prolonged screen time, can also cause Blepharospasm.

- Dry Eye: Irritation to the eye, Photosensitivity can also be a cause for involuntary rapid eye closure.  

Signs and symptoms:

Early-stage symptoms include increased blinking and light sensitivity. The intense blinking eventually leads to disruption in daily tasks.

Later stages of involuntary closure of eyelids cause functional blindness. The everyday actions like Reading walking, and driving are difficult due to the progression in condition. 

In Ayurveda, the condition that can be correlated with is Nimesha. It is one among the Varthmagata Roga (diseases affecting eyelids).  Its main feature is excessive blinking with repeated painless movements.

Sreedhareeyam treats Blepharospasm as Nimesha in Comprehensive line of management. It includes, Snehana (Oleation), Swedana (fomentation), Panchakarma’s like Virechana (Therapeutic purgation), Nasya (nasal installation of drops), Matravasthy (medicated oil enema) and Netra Kriyakalpa along with Adjuvant therapies. 

- Snehana (Oleation): Internal Snehana like intake of ghee medication and even external application of oils like Mukhabhyanga (face massage), Drushtiprasadana (Special eye massage), Siroabhyanga (Head massage), and Shirodhara (Controlled pouring of medicated decoction/oil to Forehead) etc. help in absorption of medicine to nourish the extra ocular muscle, relieving fatigue and strengthen the muscles.

- Swedana (fomentation): As the post procedure followed by oleation, fomentation with hot potent medication like Ksheeradhuma (Fomentation with processed milk), Shashtikashalipindasweda (massage with rice bolus) which helps to enhance circulation, muscle relaxation and nerve nourishment.

- Virechana:  Therapeutic purgation cleanses the gut-brain axis and removes the systemic causes. 

- Nasya: It helps to pacify Vata and neuro modulation and help in reduction of spasm

- Vasthy: Considering as the Vata predominant disease Matravasthy (medicated oil enema) have great effect in neuro-muscular disorders.

- Netrakriyakalpas: Aschyotana (eye drops), Bidalaka (application of medicated pastes), Netraseka (therapeautic eye wash), Netrapichu (cotton dipped in oil) and Tarpana (retention of medicated ghee over eye) are very effective local ocular therapies helping in facilitating medication directly to ocular tissues. It also helps in relieving dry eye symptoms, reduce ocular inflammations, and reduce the twitching frequency of eyelids by nourishing and relaxing ocular muscles. Oleation help in reducing lid stiffness.

- Eye exercises help in the range of movements of the eye muscles, gentle eye movement exercise strengthen ocular muscle and reduce the eye strain.

- Yoga procedures like Pranayama (breathing exercise), Palming and Internal Tradaka (gazing) also help to address physical and neurological aspects of the condition.

Treatments and exercises must be approached carefully under proper medical guidance’s, because prolonged staring of eye can potentially trigger the condition leading to complication.