Treatment of corneal disease with traditional Tibetan medicine: a report of four cases.

Received on: 04.07.2010 Accepted on: 17.11.2010 Address for correspondence Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA Email: [email protected]; cell 210-723-4339; Fax 202-248-0502 Introduction Traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) has a long history on the Tibet plateau, stretching back at least 1500 years, drawn from its own traditions as well as Indian, Chinese, and recently, Western Medicine (WM). The physiologic and anatomic bases of WM are distinct from those used in TTM, consistent with its roots in the Buddhist faith. The treatment of common eye diseases, known as chi dip, has similar traditions. TTM has a large and loyal following among the Tibetan people, who are sparsely scattered on the high plains and mountain valleys of the Tibet Autonomous Republic, People’s Republic of China.