OPD

Specialists in Shalakya Tantra handle cases related to Ophthalmology, ENT and Dentistry. The OPD functions on all working days and deals with diseases like Diabetic retinopathy, cataract, minor ocular trauma, stye, ptosis, central serous retinopathy, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, nasal polyp, DNS, allergic rhinitis, ear infections, deafness, vertigo, headaches, alopecia, tonsilitis, pharyngitis, mouth ulcers, dental plaque etc. The OPD is well equipped with most of the sophisticated diagnostic instruments like the fundus camera, perimeter, slit lamp, direct & indirect ophthalmoscopes, retinoscope, nasal endoscope and audiometry. The under graduate and post graduate students are trained to handle cases and also to operate the instruments.

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Screening

As the patient walks in to the OPD, he/she is screened by a junior doctor through the process of history taking to decide if the patient suffers from diseases of Eye or ENT. 

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Examination

Patients with ocular complaints like blurring of vision, eye pain, redness of eyes, itching in eyes, squint etc. first undergo regular eye check-up to test for visual acuity. Depending upon the findings, they undergo comprehensive check-up using various instruments like the slit lamp, the perimeter, the direct & indirect ophthalmoscopes and the fundus camera to diagnose the disease.     

Patients with complaints related to ENT & Dentistry like ear pain, deafness, nasal blockage, sneezing due to allergy, throat pain, tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, bleeding from gums, mouth ulcers etc. first undergo regular check- up with instruments like otoscope, tuning fork and flash light. Depending upon the findings, they undergo comprehensive check-up with instruments like audiometer and endoscope to diagnose the disease. 

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Consultation

The consultants then see the patients and interpret the reports. They plan the treatment after interrogating with the patients. The patients are educated about the treatments that they have to undergo and the medicines to be taken. They are also made aware of the food and diet to be followed during treatment.   

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OP Diagnostic procedures

• Slit lamp examination – This instrument is used to get a magnified image of the eye and its parts. It is basically used to diagnose the diseases occurring in the anterior segment of the eye like- corneal abrasions, ocular foreign bodies, uveitis, conjunctivitis, iridocyclitis, angle closure glaucoma, blepharitis, cataract etc.   

• Non-contact stereo bio microscopy – This is done for a detailed 3D examination of the optic nerve and the vitreo retinal surface. The 90 D lens used for this is of high quality and is of the company VOLK.   

• Gonioscopy – This is an instrument used to assess the angle to anterior chamber of the eye. It helps to predict glaucoma in asymptomatic patients and also to avail prophylactic measures for the same.   

• Schiotz and Applanation tonometry – These instruments are used to check Intra ocular pressure. Applanation tonometer is known as the gold standard instrument for the purpose of the same.   

• Indirect ophthalmoscopy – This is an instrument used to get a 3D view of the retina as a whole. It is used after dilating the pupil of the patient and by focusing the instrument on the eyes. The use of this instrument helps to diagnose various diseases of the retina like diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema, optic neuritis, papilledema, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal detachment etc.   

• Digital fundus camera and imaging – This instrument is used to capture serial pictures of retina to evaluate subtle changes that may occur with time. It is key for all those diseases which require observation.   

• Humphrey visual field examination (Perimetry) – This is done to analyze and record the visual field of patients. It is used to observe the progress of diseases like glaucoma.   

• Pure Tone Audiometry – This is done to evaluate and record hearing loss in a person. It helps to specify the type of deafness. It is also used for research purposes to analyze the effect of medication and treatments in reducing hearing loss.    

• Endoscopy – This is done to diagnose various ENT pathologies like nasal polyp, septal deviations, turbinate hypertrophies. Tonsilitis, CSOM etc.    

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Minor OT cum Kriyakalpam unit

The Minor OT cum Kriyakalpam unit of the Department is decked to deal with para surgical procedures like Raktamokshanam(bloodletting), cchedanam(excision), bhedanam(Incision & Drainage) lekhanam(scrapping), kshara karmam and agni karmam. It is also apparelled to carry out Kriyakalpas like sekam, aschotanam, anjanam, tarpanam, putapakam,nasyam, karnapuranam, pratisaranam etc. All the procedures are done by junior doctors working in the Department, under the supervision of the faculty, thereby ensuring at most care to the patients.     

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Para surgical procedure done

• Raktamokshanam – in the form of sira vyadham and jaloukavacharanam for diseases like anjananaamika, netra abhishyandam, mukha dushika, sira jala in netra etc.   

• Bhedana karmam – for diseases like anjananaamika, laganam, utsangini etc .   

• Lekhana karmam – is practised for diseases like varthma sharkara.   

• Pracchannam – This is one of the methods of bloodletting which is used in conditions such as khalityam, danta puputa etc.   

• Kshara karmam – is the procedure of the use of alkali to scrape out tissue in a particular part. It is done mainly in nasa arshas.    

• Agni karmam – is the process of use of cautery. It is done mainly in cases like shirashula, vyanga etc.   

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Kriya kalpa procedures

• Sekam – This is the process of pouring different forms of medication over the eye lids from a stipulated height. It is done using freshly prepared medicines, commonly for conditions like netra abhishyandam, shushkakshipakam, akshi daham etc.   

• Aschotanam -This is the process of instillation of medicines inside the eyes. It is done in conditions like ruja, kandu, dahata, ragata, toda etc of netra.   

• Pindi – This is the process of application of freshly ground drugs over the eyes. It is used in cases of netra daham, sravam, akshi raji etc.   

• Vidalakam – This is the process of application of pastes of medicines over the eyes. It is done in netra abhishyandam, netra shopham, ragata, daha of netra etc.   

• Avagundanam – This is the process of fomentation using small poultices prepared out of fresh or dry drugs. It is very effective in conditions like laganam, anjananaamika etc.   

• Anjanam – This is the process of application of collyrium in the eyes. It is done in timiram, kacham, naktandhyam, shushkakshipakam, armam etc.   

• Tarpanam – This is the process of withholding of medicated ghee over the eyes for a stipulated time. Commonly done in conditions like timiram, vatahata varthmam, krichronmilanam etc.   

• Putapakam – This is the process of withholding of medicated liquid over the eyes for a stipulated time. It is usually done after Tarpanam.   

• Karna puranam – This is the process of pouring medicated oil inside the ear. It is done in conditions like badhiryam, karna naadam, karna kandu etc.   

• Karna dhupanam – This is the process of fomenting the ear using smoke from medicated wicks. It is done in karna sravam, puti karnam, puya karnam etc.   

• Kavalam & Gandusham – These are the treatments wherein the patient is made to withhold medicated liquids inside the mouth for a stipulated time. It is used in conditions like netra abhishyandam, danta pupputam, mukha pakam etc.   

• Pratisaranam – This is the process of rubbing the oral mucosa with medicines. It is done in aasya sravam, mukha pakam etc.   

• Tala podichil – This is one among the unique treatment modalities practised in kerala. It is the process of covering the whole head with medicated leaves and other drugs and wrapping it with a banana leaf. It is a very effective treatment procedure, specially to arrest bleeding in Diabetic retinopathy.   

• Siro pichu – This is the process of application of oil on the head by soaking a piece of cotton with it. Very effective in cases like CSR.   

• Siro talam – This is a process of application of poultice mixed with medicated water or oil over the bregma point on the head.    

• Padaabhyangam – This is a treatment where the feet are massaged with medicated oil. It is useful in conditions like netra daham, abhighatam etc.   

• Pada lepam – This is the treatment wherein medicines are applied on the ventral portion of the feet.    

• Pada pichu – This is the process of application of oil on the feet after soaking a piece of cotton with it.   

• Nasyam – This is the process of instilling medicines inside the nose. It is one among the Panchakarmas and is used for the treatment of shirashula, ardhavabhedaka, suryavarta, timira, dusta peenasa, pratishyaya etc.

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Specialty services provided

• Allergic rhinitis   

This is one among the very commonly seen diseases today. Such patients are prescribed treatments such as nasyam along with internal medications.    

• Nasal polyp   

Nasal polyps are handled through conservative management and also through kshara karma procedure.    

• Cataract

All the patients, above the age of 60 years are screened for cataract. If in early stages, they are prescribed medicines and diet for the same to retard the progress of the disease. Those patients who are diagnosed with advanced stages of cataract are referred to AIMS for surgery.   

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)-   

All the patients above the age of 60 years, if suspected during routine regular eye examination, are screened for ARMD using Ophthalmoscopic examination. They are then advised treatment and diet accordingly.    

• Ear infections   

Acute and chronic ear infections are dealt with internal medications and treatments like karna dhupanam, under IP care or on daily OP basis, strictly adhering to all the aseptic measures.   

• Migraine/ other headaches   

Patients suffering from migraine and other headaches, are treated with Nasyam, dhumapanam, agni karmam etc along with internal medicines, depending upon the predominance of Tridosa.   

• Myopia   

Patients suffering from blurring of vision especially for distant vision, who frequently have to change their spectacles due to change in the power of lens, are treated with therapies like Tarpanam and Putapakam.   

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Medical camps

Free medical camps are conducted by the Department, on regular basis in nearby areas as well as in the hospital which not only enables the students to see a variety of cases but also helps the economically poor patients to avail quality health care facility for free.    

Preparation of medicines -   

Most of the medicines used for treatments are prepared by the students in the Department itself. This endows them with the skill of preparation of medicines and also ensures good quality and authenticity of the medicines.