According to WHO, around 2.2 billion people suffers from vision impairment, and half of these cases are yet to be treated. A common type of eye disease called Glaucoma stands at 3.4% among population of 30 – 40 yrs.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing vision loss leading to blindness as it damages the optic nerve located behind the eye.

According to the available data, 11.1 million of 40 years old population group suffers from Glaucoma in India. To date there is no cure for glaucoma, however an early treatment may delay or stop the onset of vision loss.

Amidst the inadequate access to an immediate treatment for eye diseases, locals habitants of Assam and Khasi hills of Meghalaya have found a blue orchid that has substantially proved to treat glaucoma, Cataracts, and vision impairment. The treatment includes the application of the blue orchid flowers juice directly to the eyes.These blue orchids (Vanda coerulea) grows abundantly in these areas, almost every household in khasi hills owns one for ornamental purpose. The leaves of the plant can be used as expectorant too.

In 1847 John Lindley described Vanda coerulea  as a blue orchid from the description found by William Griffiths.

Less of research has been done on finding the active ingredients of this therapeutic plant. It may be helpful in the pharma industry as a plant derived formulation to treat eye related diseases and benefit millions of people around the around.