As per Old Ayurvedic Text, Shalakya Tantra is one of the branches of asthang ayurveda specifically for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all the diseases occurring above the neck such as eyes, nose, ear, mouth and head.
The branches of shalakya tantra includes Nethrachikitsa (Ophthalmology), Karnachikitsa (otology), Nasachikitsa (rhinology), Mukharogachikita(oral hygiene, Dentistry and Laryngology), and Shirorogachikitsa(diseases of the cranium). This science uses a lots of 'Shalaka' which means probe which justifies the name Shalakya tantra. Shalakya tantra is also famous as Urdhwangchikitsa in south India.