Macular degeneration is an age related disease of the eyes. It is also known as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). It can be dry or wet types of AMD. In the dry form, the cells in the retinal layer (macula) breakdown and cause central vision loss. In the wet form, there is abnormal growth of blood vessels below the retinal layer; these bleed and cause vision loss.
Ayurveda aims at treatment of ARMD by preventing damage and preserving vision. Treatment will be in two levels: first is use of oral medication and the next level involves rejuvenation therapies.
Oral Medication
Oral medication uses the following herbs:
- Amla: Commonly known as gooseberry. It is found to contain the 2 carotenoids leutin and zeaxanthin. Both of these are proven active ingredients in treating macular degeneration.
- Ginkgo biloba: It is used to treat early stages of the disease. Active ingredients are flavone glycosides and terpene lactones.
- Bilberry: Botanical name is Vaccinium myrtillus. They contain anthocyanosides and flavonoids that have antioxidant properties that improves night vision and enlarges field of vision. They also help in strengthening the capillaries of the retina, thus slowing down the degeneration process.
- Omega- 3 fatty acids: They are present in abundance in fish and fish oils. Their consumption is found to retard the progress of this disease.
- Chyavanprash: A traditional herbal jam made primarily of amla is helpful in strengthening the immune system and also a good source of antioxidants.
Rejuvenation Therapies
Some of the rejuvenation therapies for macular degeneration are:
- Kashayadhara: Any treatment for eyes starts with this therapy. In this, the decoction of a herbal mixture is poured over the eyes, from a specified height. It cleanses the eyes.
- Tarpana: It involves putting medicated ghee over the eyes. It improves distant vision.
- Nasya: This involves putting medicated oil drops into nostrils. strengthens the nervous system.
- Sashtika sweda: Involves massaging herbal milk decoctions over the eyes, gently.
- Shirodhara: A mixture of warm herbal oil, butter milk and milk are poured over the centre of the forehead in a single stream. This improves sight and strengthens the ocular muscles.
- Shirobasti: Medicated oil is placed over the head in a special cap. This too is believed to strengthen the ocular muscles.
- Netrapindi: These are special medicated eye packs. They soothe the eyes.
