An Ayurvedic Approach to Senile Immature Cataract (Kaphaja Kacha)

Vision 2020, an International initiative by World Health Organization (WHO), was started to decrease the number of people having preventable blindness. Senile cataract is the most important cause of this avoidable blindness affecting 12 to 15 million persons worldwide. Till date an effective medical therapy for senile cataract has not been found out. The only treatment of choice is surgery. Owing to the increased rate of incidence of senile cataract and the possible complications and contraindications of surgery, research for the need for drugs that could effectively tackle the problem has arisen. In this regard, the lekhaneeya and kaphaghna properties of Sithamanahashiladi Anjana and Abhaya churna, have the action of samprapti vighatana (breaking the pathology of cataract) of Kaphaja kacha, can be considered as potential intervention that could delay the progression of cataract. And these can be incorporated in the Vision 2020 program to provide an Ayurveda wave of vision care to the millions of suffers.