A case study on Doshantha (Retinitis Pigmentosa) with Ayurvedic management

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary disorders of the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) which gradually causes night blindness and progressive constriction of the visual field. RP is a leading cause of visual disability, with a worldwide pre-valence of 1:4000. RP typically manifests with night blindness in adolescence, followed by concentric visual field loss, reflecting the principal dysfunction of rod photoreceptors; central vision loss occurs later in life due to cone dysfunction. Symptoms may become manifest during childhood or adulthood, and include poor night vision (nyctalopia) and constriction of peripheral vision (visual field loss).[1] In Ayurveda, the signs and symptoms of this can be compared with the Lakshanas of Doshandha. The present paper discusses a case of retinitis pigmentosa and its Ayurvedic treatment.