Vartmakardama, Shyavavartma Eye Disorders – Symptoms, Treatment

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Vartmakardama / Kardamavartma is one of the diseases of eyelids (netra vartma gata roga). Vartma = eyelids + Kardama = dirty, muddy, slushy, filthy = condition of eyelids wherein the eyelids look muddy and dirty in appearance.
Read – Eye Diseases Causes, Pathogenesis, Symptoms, Treatment, Herbs

Vartma Kardama pathology

Classification
Based on the location – Vartmakardama is a Vartmagata Roga (disease occurring in the eyelids).
Based on Predominant Dosha – Vartmakardama is a Tridoshaja Netra Roga i.e. it is caused by simultaneous vitiation of all three doshas.
Based on Sadhya Asadhyata (prognosis) – Vartmakardama is a Sadhya roga (curable disease).
Based on predominant treatment / surgical process – Vartmakardama eye disorder is a Lekhana Sadhya / Lekhya Netra Roga i.e. curable by scraping method / curettage. 
Read – Classification of Eye Diseases As Per Ayurveda

Vartmakardama, definition, meaning, pathogenesis
Vartmakardama is an eye disorder and occurs in eyelids. In this condition, the pitta gets involved in the Klishtavartma eyelid disorder, causes burning / corrosion of blood tissue and produces dampness in the eyelids. This condition caused by simultaneous vitiation of all three doshas with predominance of pitta and blood is called Vartmakardama.
Read – Watery Eyes: Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment, Remedies

Thus, Vartmakardama is an eyelid disorder in which another eyelid disorder called Klishtavartma is worsened by the vitiated pitta.
This condition is caused due to simultaneous vitiation of all three doshas. Vartmakardama is said to be a curable disease.
Read – Chaturvidha Netra Srava – 4 types of eye discharges, symptoms, treatment

Signs, symptoms, correlation

Signs and Symptoms of Vartmakardama eye disorder
Vartmakardama have the signs and symptoms of Klishtavartma along with specific symptoms of Vartmakardama.

Specific symptoms of Vartmakardama –

• Vartmam klinnatvam apnuyat – the eyelids would become damp / wet
• Kardamavat vartma – the eyelids will have a muddy / dirty appearance

Symptoms of Klishtavartma (also present in Vartmakardama) –

• Akasmat cha mrudu vartma – the eyelids suddenly become smooth, without any reasons
• Alpa vedana – mild pain in the eyelids / eyes
• Tamra samam eva – eyelids / eyes appear coppery in color
• Bhaved raktam – the eyelids / eyes become red in later part of time
• Bandhujiva nibham – eye appears similar to the flower of hibiscus (as red as hibiscus flower in color)
  Read – Ayurveda Eye Treatment Types, Methods – Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutrasthana 23

Modern correlation
Vartmakardama can be closely correlated with Non-ulcerative Blepharitis explained in the modern texts. (read more)

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelid margins. It may be acute when it freshly occurs or may be chronic when it stays long or when it recurs. It presents with itching and burning of eyelid margins. Redness and edema of the eyelid margins is seen.

It also presents in two forms. If there is formation of ulcers, it is called ulcerative blepharitis, compared to Shyavavartma explained in the disorders of eyelids in Ayurveda. If there are no ulcers, it will be called non-ulcerative blepharitis. Vartmakardama, the disease in discussion here, is often closely correlated to this condition.
Read – Blepharitis: Inflamed Eyelids Ayurvedic Treatment, Remedies

Treatment of Vartmakardama eye disorder
Vartmakardama is a Lekhana sadhya vyadhi. It is one of the eye diseases which can be cured by scraping methods.

Shyava vartma

Shyavavartma Eye Disorder – Definition, Meaning, Symptoms, Treatment

Shyavavartma is a Netra Vartma Gata Roga i.e. one of the diseases of the eyelids. Shyava = dark, dark brown + Vartma = eyelids = a diseased condition of the eyelids wherein the eyelids look dark brown in appearance
Read – Eye Diseases Causes, Pathogenesis, Symptoms, Treatment, Herbs

Classification
Based on the location – Shyavavartma is a Vartmagata Roga i.e. disease occurring in the eyelids.
Based on Predominant Dosha – Shyavavartma is a Sannipataja / Tridoshaja Netra Roga i.e. it is caused by simultaneous vitiation of all three doshas.
Based on Sadhya Asadhyata (prognosis) – Shyavavartma is a Sadhya roga i.e. curable disease.
Based on predominant treatment / surgical process used in combating the disease – Shyavavartma eye disorder is a Lekhana Sadhya / Lekhya Netra Roga i.e. curable by scraping method / curettage.
Read – Classification of Eye Diseases As Per Ayurveda

Shyava vartma, definition, meaning, pathogenesis
Shyavavartma is an eye disorder and occurs in the eyelids. In this condition, the eye, both from outside and inwards becomes dark / dark brown / smoky in appearance. It is also associated with swelling, pain, burning sensation, itching and dampness. This condition is called Shyavavartma.
This condition is caused due to simultaneous vitiation of all three doshas. Vartmakardama is said to be a curable disease.
Read – Alaji Eye Disorder Definition, Location, Symptoms, Treatment

Sanskrit verse, signs

Explanation of Syavavartma by master Videha
‘When the vitiated kapha, along with pitta and vata gets lodged in eyelids, the eyelids become dark / dark brown in appearance as if burnt by fire (charred appearance). This condition caused by simultaneous vitiation of all doshas is called Shyavavartma’
Read – Chaturvidha Netra Srava – 4 types of eye discharges, symptoms, treatment

Signs and Symptoms of Shyava vartma eye disorder
Vartmam bahyato antah cha shyavam – eyelids appear dark / dark brown / smoky from outside and inside
Agni dagdhanibham shyavam – eyelids become dark in colour as if burnt by fire or charred
Shunam – swelling of the eyelids
Sa vedanam – eyelids associated with pain
Daha – burning sensation in eyelids / eye
Kandu – itching sensation in eyelids / eyes
Parikleda – moistening / dampness of the eyelids / eyes
Read – Kaphaja Upanaha (Netra Roga) – Definition, Symptoms, Treatment

Syavavartma correlation, treatment

Modern correlation
Vartmakardam can be closely correlated with Ulcerative Blepharitis explained in the modern texts. (read more)

Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelid margins. It may be fresh and acute or chronic in nature. Itching of the eyes, burning sensation, redness and oedema of the eyelids are the main symptoms of blepharitis.
Read – Blepharitis: Inflamed Eyelids Ayurvedic Treatment, Remedies

It also has ulcerative and non-ulcerative forms. There is no formation of ulcers on the inflamed eyelids in non-ulcerative blepharitis. This condition is often compared to a disorder of eyelid explained in Ayurveda i.e. vartma kardama / kardama vartma.

The ulcerative blepharitis is a condition in which ulcers are formed on the inflamed eyelid margins. This condition is compared to Shyavavartma, the current disease in discussion.
Read – Tested Remedies For Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Problems: Ramdas Pai

Treatment of Shyavavartma eye disorder
Syavavartm is a Lekhana sadhya vyadhi. It is one of the eye diseases which can be cured by scraping methods.
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