Chapter III - Pathology of the diseases of the eye-lids

Now we shall discourse on the chapter which deals with the pathology of diseases peculiar to the region of the eye lids (Vartmagata-Roga-Vijnaniya). 1.

Causes and Names:—

The Doshas of the body jointly or severally expanding through the nerves and veins, (Sira) of the eye-lids (Vartma) bringing about an augmentation of the quantity of the blood and the growth of the flesh in the localities (determination of blood toward formation of fleshy growth in the affected parts) give rise to a host of local diseases which are known as Utsangini, Kumbhika, Pothaki, Vartma-Sharkara. Arsho-vartma, Shushkarshas, Anjana, Bahala-vartma, Vartmavabandha, Klishta-vartma, Kardama-vartma, Syava-vartma, Praklinna-vartma, Pariklinna-vartma, Vatahata-vartma, Arvuda, Nimisha, Shonitarsas, Lagana, Visha-vartma and Pakshma-kopa. These twenty-one diseases are restricted to the eye-lids (Vartma). 2.

The Specific symptoms of the diseases Of the eye-lids:—

The names of these have been enumerated; now hear me describe their specific symptoms. A (rolled up and indented) boil or eruption (Pidaka) appearing along the lower eye-lid on its exterior side with its mouth or head directed inward is called Utsangini. A number of boils or pustules (Pidaka) to the size of a Kumbhika seed appearing on the joint of the eye-lids and the eye-lashes and becoming inflamed after being burst is called Kumbhika^[1]. 3—4.

A number of red and heavy (hard) boils or pustules (Pidaka) resembling red mustard seeds attended with pain, itching and exudation is called Pothaki. A rough and large pustule (Pidaka) surrounded by other very small and thick erythematous pustules (covering the entire length of the eye-lid) is called Vartma-sharkara. 5 — 6.

Vegetations of small (D. R. soft) and rough papile (Pidakas) on the eye-lid resembling Ervaruka seeds and attended with very little pain are called Arsho-vartma. Long, rough, hard, and numbed papile (Amkura) on the eye-lid^[2] are called Shushkarshas. 7 —8.

A small, soft, copper-coloured pustule (Pidaka) appearing on the eye-lid and attended with burning, pricking sensation and a slight pain is called an Anjana. Vegetations of pustules (Pidaka) of equal size (D. R.—attended with hardness) occurring all along the eye-lid and resembling it (or each other) in colour are called Bahala-vartma. 9-10.

Such swelling of the eye-lid attended with an itching sensation and a slight pain as impedes or interferes with its being evenly opened is called Vartma-bandha. A mild and copper-coloured inflammatory swelling of both the eye-lids simultaneously attended with a slight pain and changing suddenly into redness (D. R.—suddenly discharging blood therefrom) is called Klishta-vartma. 11-12.

A case of Klishta-vartma in which the Pitta has deranged and affected the blood and much dirty matter (mucus) is discharged as a consequence is called a case of Vartma-kardama. A dark brown colour of the eye-Iīds both internally and externally marked by a swelling (D. R.—pain) and attended with a discharge of pus and with burning and itching sensations is called Shyava-vartma. 13-14.

An external swelling of the eye-lid with a deposit of mucous matter in its inner surface accompanied with a little pain as well as a discharge, itching and pricking sensation, is called a Praklinna-Vartma. A sticking together of the eye-lids even in the absence of any suppuration and in spite of the eyes being constantly washed (with water)^[3] is called Pariklinna-vartma. 15—16.

The drooping down (lit.—inactivity) of the eye-lids, whether attended with any pain or not, (so as to obstruct the opening of the eye-lashes) where the eyelids seem to be out of joint is called Vatahata-vartma. A red and knotty swelling (Granthi) of an uneven size or shape, growing hastily on the interior side of the eye-lid and attended with a little pain is called an Arvuda or tumour. 17—18.

Constant wrinklings of the eye-lids owing to the incarceration of the (deranged) Vayu within the nerves or veins (Sira) controlling their wrinkings (closing and opening) are known as Nimesha. Soft and fleshy growths (Amkura) on the eye-lid which reappear even after being removed with a knife, and are attended with pain, itching and burning sensation are called Shonitarshas and should be ascribed to the vitiated condition of the blood. 19-20.

A thick, slimy, hard and painless nodular swelling (Granthi) on the eye-lid resembling a Kola fruit in size and marked by an itching sensation and absence of suppuration is called Lagana^[4]. An inflammatory swelling of the eye-lid dotted with minute punctures like the pores in the stem of a water-soaked lotus plant is called Visa-vartma. 21-22.

An accumulation of the deranged Doshas about the eye-lashes makes them rough and sharp-pointed, which give pain to the eye and give relief when drawn off. The disease is known as Pakshma-kopa in which the eye cannot bear the least wind or heat or the glare of fire. 23.

 

Thus ends the third chapter of the Uttara-Tantra in the Sushruta Samhita which deals with the pathology of the diseases of the eye-lids.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This disease (Kumbhikā) is due to the concerted action of the three Doshas.

[2]:

According to Mādhava, the papilæ in such cases occur in the inner side of the eye-lid.

[3]:

A different reading reads ‘whether washed or not.’ This, however, not a good reading.

[4]:

Certain editions read Nagana.