Here is a detailed explanation of Vartmangat Roga (also spelled Vartmagata Roga):
Vartmangat Roga - Diseases of the Eyelids (Ayurveda)
Vartma means eyelid, and Vartmangat Roga refers to all diseases that are located in or affecting the eyelids. According to Acharya Sushruta's classical Ayurvedic text (Sushruta Samhita, Uttaratantra), there are 21 Vartmagata Rogas (eyelid diseases) out of the total 76 Netra Rogas (eye diseases).
Classification
Location-based Classification in Netra Roga (76 total):
| Location | Name | No. of Diseases |
|---|
| Sandhi (junctions) | Sandhi Gata Roga | 9 |
| Vartma (eyelids) | Vartma Gata Roga | 21 |
| Shukla (sclera/conjunctiva) | Shukla Gata Roga | 11 |
| Krishna (cornea/iris) | Krishna Gata Roga | 4 |
| All over eye | Sarvashraya Roga | 17 |
| Retina/lens | Drushti Gata Roga | 12 |
| External/traumatic | Baahyaja | 2 |
The 21 Vartmangat Rogas
| Ayurvedic Name | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| Utsangini | Chalazion / Meibomian cyst |
| Kumbhika | Hordeolum (Stye) |
| Pothaki | Trachoma / follicular conjunctivitis |
| Vartma Sharkara | Calcareous deposits on eyelid (calcified granuloma) |
| Arsho Vartma | Papilloma / warty growth on lid |
| Shushka Arsha | Dry wart-like growth (fibroma) |
| Anjana Namika | Infected meibomian gland / stye-like |
| Bahala Vartma | Thickening of eyelid (hypertrophic blepharitis) |
| Vartma Bandhaka | Symblepharon (adhesion of eyelid to eyeball) |
| Klishta Vartma | Ulcerative blepharitis |
| Kardama Vartma | Blepharitis with discharge/crusting (muddy lids) |
| Shyaava Vartma | Discoloration of eyelid (pigmentation/ecchymosis) |
| Praklinna Vartma | Watering eye / hyperlacrimation blepharitis |
| Apariklinna Vartma | Dry eyelid condition |
| Vaatahata Vartma | Ptosis / facial nerve palsy / lagophthalmos |
| Arbuda | Tumor/neoplasm of the eyelid |
| Nimesha | Blepharospasm (inability to open eyes) |
| Shonita Arsha | Vascular growth / haemangioma on lid |
| Lagana | Cystic swelling (painless) |
| Visa Vartma | Toxic/allergic eyelid condition (contact dermatitis) |
| Pakshma Kopa | Trichiasis, distichiasis, entropion |
Causative Factors (Nidana)
Common causative factors mentioned across the vartma rogas:
- Exposure to smoke, dust, and heat
- Suppression of natural urges (especially tears - Ashru Vega)
- Excessive strain on eyes (looking at minute objects)
- Improper diet (excess carbohydrates, Kapha-aggravating food)
- Excessive vomiting (Vamana)
- Trauma to eyelids
- Disturbed sleep cycles
Dosha Classification of Key Vartma Rogas
| Disease | Predominant Dosha |
|---|
| Vaatahata Vartma | Vata |
| Klishta Vartma | Pitta |
| Bahala Vartma | Kapha |
| Utsangini | Tridoshaja (all three doshas) |
| Kumbhika | Pitta + Kapha |
| Pothaki | Kapha |
| Pakshma Kopa | Sannipataja (all doshas) |
Treatment Principles (Chikitsa)
Ayurvedic treatments are categorized based on the surgical/non-surgical approach:
1. Lekhya (Scraping) - for:
Utsangini, Bahala Vartma, Kardama Vartma, Shyaava Vartma, Klishta Vartma, Pothaki, Kumbhika, Vartma Sharkara
2. Bhedhya (Incision) - for:
Lagana, Visa Vartma, Anjana Namika (surgical drainage)
3. Medical Management:
- Tarpana - oil pooling over the eye
- Putapaka - medicated eye drops
- Seka - medicated eye wash
- Anjana - medicated collyrium (eye liner)
- Virechana - purgation (internal detox)
- Local fomentation (Sweda) - warm compresses
Important Individual Conditions
Utsangini (Chalazion)
- Nodular swelling on the lower lid with opening directed inward
- Tridoshaja condition - treated by Lekhana (scraping/curetting)
- Corresponds to Meibomian cyst in modern medicine
Kumbhika (Stye/Hordeolum)
- Acute painful swelling at lid margin with pus
- Caused by Staphylococcus aureus in modern terms
- Treated with hot compresses, drainage, antibiotics (modern) / Seka + Virechana (Ayurvedic)
Pakshma Kopa (Trichiasis/Entropion)
- Misdirected eyelashes rubbing the cornea
- Sannipataja - requires lifelong management
- Modern treatment: epilation, electrolysis, surgery
Vaatahata Vartma (Ptosis/Lagophthalmos)
- Vata-dominant condition
- Corresponds to 7th cranial nerve palsy or ptosis from 3rd nerve palsy
- Incurable (Asaadhya) in classical Ayurveda
Prognosis (Sadhyasadhyata)
| Category | Examples |
|---|
| Sadhya (Curable) | Utsangini, Kumbhika, Bahala Vartma, Lagana |
| Yapya (Manageable/lifelong) | Pakshma Kopa |
| Asaadhya (Incurable) | Vaatahata Vartma, Nimesha, Arbuda (malignant) |
This classification from Sushruta Samhita is remarkably aligned with modern ophthalmology - covering lid infections, lid malpositions, lid tumors, and inflammatory disorders. The Ayurvedic approach integrates dosha-based pathogenesis with both surgical (Shalya) and non-surgical (Shalakya) management, making it a comprehensive system for eyelid diseases.