Evaluation of the efficacy of leech application in the management of immature cataract

Abstract

Visual disorders have been represented the most complex problem in the field of ophthalmology and has been of great interest since the dawn of human life on this earth. While immature cataract is a physiological anomaly of accommodation, which is very common and almost occurs to all persons around 40 years of age, it cannot accommodate the near object distinctly due to loss of plasticity of the lens due to aging process. Our ancient text known as Susruthasamhitha has given much attention to these types of eye disorders. While describing the Drishtigatha Rogas he elaborately described the Patalas and its pathological disorders leading to immature cataract. This is for the 1st time, the treatment modality in the management of immature cataract is taken for research work. In the clinical study 28 eyes of patients were selected and divided in to two groups. Leech application was done to group A and Anjana therapy was done to group B. Subjective and objective criteria were used as parameters to assess the improvement. From the observations and results which were received from this study , it can be concluded that Group A, was provided better results in the symptoms of sameepastha/ durastha Avyaktha darshana ,Vihwaladarshana, Dwidhadarshana, headache and eye strain .The treatment given to group B, has been positive for symptoms of Sameepastha / durastha Avyakhtha darshana, dwidhadarshana and headache. Leech therapy is effective for symptoms of Vihwaladarshana and eye strain than Anjana therapy. Treatments given for all 2 groups were successful for visual acuity (distant vision, near vision), Lenticular Opacity and red reflex. In nutshell, both treatments are in significant level when considering p - value. When comparing p - value of the treatments p value of the Anjana therapy is more significant than the Leech therapy