Shalakyatanthra is a branch of ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine. Ayurveda has eight major branches. They are named as Kayachikitsa, Balachikitsa, Grahachikitsa(Manorogachikitsa), Salakyatanthra, salyatanthra, vishachikitsa (damshtrachikitsa), rasayana (jarachikitsa)and Vajeekarana. Salakyatanthra is the branch which deals with the health and disease of head and neck portions of the body. Mainly they include Nethrachikitsa (Ophthalmology), Karnachikitsa (otology), Nasachikitsa (rhinology), Mukharogachikita(oral hygiene, Dentistry and Laryngology), and Shirorogachikitsa(diseases of the cranium). Of these, ophthalmology is the most widely practised sub-speciality. In India, especially in the the southern state of Kerala, almost all these branches are still alive and popular. There are special tretment procedures for the treatment of the organs of head and neck. They include Nasyam, Dhoomapnam, Gandoosham, Kabalam, Shirodhara, Shirovasthi, Anjanam, Tharpanam, Pratisaranam, and etc. Ayurvedic ophthalmology is seen to be highly effective in many degenerative ailments as well as infectious diseases. There are several methods advised in the classical textbooks of ayurveda regarding proper care and prophylactic measurements for eyes.
