Ayurvedic treatment for Macular Degeneration

The macula, located in the inner layer of the eyeball within the retina, is the most sensitive part of the eye. It serves as the focal point for light convergence, where light rays reflected from objects converge onto the retina, specifically the macula. Any defects or degeneration in this area lead to visual disturbances, given the crucial role of the macula in the visual process.

Visual disturbances occur due to a series of reactions initiated upon light convergence on the macula. These reactions involve photochemical, electrical, and nervous processes, culminating in nerve impulses carried through the optic nerve to the brain stem and visual cortex. Hence, any impairment in the macula disrupts these processes, resulting in visual symptoms.

Senility predisposes individuals to various eye diseases, and the likelihood of developing macular degeneration increases if the macular area is already weakened or delicate. Factors such as eye strain exacerbate this vulnerability, further contributing to the development of ARMD. Senility often presents general eye problems related to vision, including blurring, difficulty in reading, presbyopia, or changes associated with cataracts. However, ARMD exhibits specific additional symptoms.

Characteristic symptoms of ARMD include central field loss, where patients experience a dark area in their central field of vision, as well as pockets of missing vision. Distortion in vision objects, difficulty in color perception, and perceived changes in object size or distance are also common symptoms. These visual impairments significantly impact daily life, affecting professional and practical activities.

In Ayurvedic theory, all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—are equally important in eye function. However, the macula is primarily associated with Pitta due to its role in light convergence. Pitta imbalance, particularly affecting the macula, is a significant factor in the development of macular degeneration, especially ARMD.

Treatment of ARMD in Ayurveda involves addressing both the local eye condition and systemic factors. Ocular treatments focus on controlling Pitta locally, while treatments on the head region address systemic factors and maintain overall balance. For ARMD cases with predominant Vata involvement, a different treatment protocol is followed, emphasizing Vata and Pitta balancing measures.

Preventive measures are essential in averting the development or progression of macular degeneration, especially in aging individuals. Ayurvedic recommendations include protective eye practices, such as daily head massages with suitable oils, application of collyrium, and oral medications tailored to individual constitution and age.

Early intervention and proper management can control ARMD, preserving vision and preventing blindness. However, while ARMD is manageable, it is not curable, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in maintaining eye health and preventing degenerative changes. Ayurvedic treatment, when administered correctly by experts, can effectively manage ARMD and improve visual outcomes, allowing individuals to maintain a good quality of life with preserved vision.

Dry ARMD is the degeneration of this macular area, which is capable of leading to blindness, sometimes by a long period of 10 years. But there is some type which may develop blindness even within a few days. Dry “Drusen” is the main pathological change in dry ARMD. It is small yellowish deposits of lipids that accumulate within the retinal layers. The main symptoms are blurring of vision and loss of central area of the visual field. Here, the area of focus will be dark, and this makes difficulty in reading also. Distorted vision is another major problem. Straight lines may be wavy. The shape of the object also will be distorted. In a chronic condition, there will be missing/blank areas in the visual field. This makes reading more difficult. The patient may experience intolerance towards the bright light.

In Ayurveda, this is treated as Vata predominant eye disease. So, different types of treatment procedures are adapted to normalize the functions of Vata. This treatment is performed in three stages:

1. Normalize the “channels” of the eye so as to avoid the accumulation and deposits in the retinal layers. For this, Nasyam – administration of medicine through nostrils is found to be very effective. But the medicines used for nasyam should be specific for this particular condition.
2. Melt and drain out the Drusen’s (deposits) – To achieve this, specially modified treatment procedures are to be conducted in the eye. Anjanam, Netrasekam, Aschotanam, etc. are the options.
3. Strengthen the retinal tissues to improve the functional capacity of the retina. Netra tharpanam, Putapakam etc. are the methods to apply for the apt medicines.

All the procedures should be done under the supervision and monitoring of a expert specialist only.

Wet ARMD is a variety of macular degeneration where the function of the retina, mainly macula is damaged seriously. The macula is the most sensitive area of the retina responsible for sharp and accurate vision. Here, blood circulation of the retina is seriously involved in the pathology and there will be an encroachment of vessels towards the macular area. Later, walls of blood vessels become damaged and the fluid/blood leaks into the retinal layers. If not handled correctly in time, chances of leading to blindness are very high. Nowadays, the incidence is found to be increasing. Diabetes is seemed to be a contributing factor. The main symptoms are blurring of vision. Most often, the onset will be sudden. Associated symptoms are distorted vision. The shape and size of the object may be distorted. Straight lines – vertical and horizontal may be wavy. The patient may experience dark areas or moving shadows in the visual field which obstructs the vision. In serious conditions, there will be flashes of lights of flickering dots.

In Ayurveda, this condition is pitta dominant. The aim of the treatment is to bring the functions of pitta back to normal. Here, pitta is vitiating the blood and blood vessels and so, to maintain the blood circulation of the retina is the most important factor of treatment. this can be achieved in two steps:

 

1. If there is bleeding in the retina, take steps to arrest it. For this, the treatment procedures should be done both on the head and in the eyes. Sira Sekam, Netra Sekam, Vitalakam etc. are the specific procedures for this. Selection of raw materials, mode of preparation of medicine, and mode of application are equally important. It should act on the retinal cells. It should arrest the bleeding and should not make any damage or side effects to the retinal cells. It is safe in the hands of an expert ayurvedic ophthalmologist.
2. In the second step, the retinal tissue is strengthened so as to avoid the further onset of the pathology. For this, Netra Tharpanam is the procedure of choice. It is a procedure where the selected medicine is kept in the eyes for the calculated time. Internal medicines are equally important throughout the treatment period.