South India level workshop on eye treatment in Ayurveda system in Kerala-- JIJNASA 2012—will be held at PNNM Ayurveda College at Shornur in Kerala on March 3 and 4. The workshop is organised by Vidyarthi Seva Trust, Kochi in association with PNNM Ayurveda College.

According to Dr K Induchoodan, convener of the workshop, practising experts from academic and non-academic areas of Ayurveda eye treatments will participate in the two-day programme.

Ayurvedic eye treatment of Kerala was so famous in the past that even during British period there were facilities for Ayurveda eye treatment, said Dr Induchoodan. Even now there are authentic ayurvedic eye practitioners in Kerala who are associated with the programme as Acharyas and faculty members. The aim of the workshop is to revive the great ayurvedic eye treatment method existed in Kerala.

The workshop will focus on subjects like ‘Clinical Ophthalmology in Ayurveda’-- a practical approach in diagnosis and management of eye diseases in traditional way, ‘Kriyakalpas of nethra chikitsa’- a traditional approach, ‘Diagnosis of eye diseases on the basis of Thridoshas’, ‘Management of diabetic retinopathy’—ayurvedic approach, ‘retinal disorders and Ayurveda management’- pioneering studies and ‘management of cataract’.

Eminent speakers like Dr P K Shanthakumari, chief physician and MD- Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram; Dr Ram Manohar, director, Ayurvedic Trust of Advanced Research, Coimbatore; Dr Sreeja Sukesh, Govt Ayurveda College, Kannur; Dr VG Gokulan, chief physician, Sudarshanam Nethra Chikitsalayam, Thiruvalla; Dr S Sunil Kumar, Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvanathapuram; Dr M Prasad, Vishnu Ayurveda College, Shornur; and Dr Itoozhi Unnikrishanan Nambuthiri, Ayrveda Eye Hospital, Kannur will deliver on various subjects related to eye treatment.

Presentation of papers on traditional and academic approaches of Keraleeya Nethra Chikitsa by different traditional and academic experts will be held along with the programme.