Abstract
The visual impairment and eye diseases pose significant public health challenges worldwide, affecting approximately 2.2 billion people over the age of 50. In Sri Lanka, the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment is estimated to be around 1.9% and 8.8%, respectively. The Siddha system of medicine offers various preventive measures for eye health, including moon gazing therapy, which is mentioned in classical Siddha texts. However, scientific validation of its efficacy remains limited. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of different moon gazing techniques for ophthalmic care. Siddha literature was collected from classical texts such as Agathiyar Nayana Vidhi 500 and Pararasasekara Nayana Rogam, while relevant research articles were sourced from reputable databases, including Scopus, Medline, PubMed, and Medlar. The findings reveal that moon gazing techniques in Siddha medicine include direct observation of the moon (with or without Palagani), water application to the eyes, and eye massage. These techniques, as described in relevant Siddha texts, may have the potential to mitigate the onset of eye diseases. Scientifically validating these traditional practices could establish them as cost-effective and sustainable therapeutic options for ophthalmic care in the future.
Keywords
Nayana Rogam, Ophthalmic, Palagani, Moon gazing, Visual impairment