Cataract is the most commonly seen disease of old age responsible for highest percentage of blindness worldwide. It is due to the opacity in the lense fibers altering its appearance from crystalline to opaque thus blocking vision. Multiple reasons are thought to be responsible for this opacity. Multiple clinical patterns are seen for this disease i.e. central, cortical, floral etc. Maximum cases are seen in their late sixties but this is not universally applicable. You need not to be a senior citizen to develop age related cataract. Sometimes age related cataract develops in 40’s of 50’s. You need not to rush for surgery until it disturbs your day to day activities like driving, reading or watching T.V. Some people may develop cataract as secondary complication due to long term use of some medicines for their systemic disease and some may develop cataract after an eye injury. Many children may develop congenital cataract due to some genetic anomalies. They may be born with cataract or develop it in their early childhood.
Symptoms:
- Hazy vision
- Photo phobia
- Watering of eyes sometimes
- Some may develop glaucoma along with cataract as a complication
Who are at risk for developing Cataract:
Diabetic patients and people whose eyes are either exposed to high temperature or bright light are at higher risk of developing cataract.
Treatment of Cataract:
Cataract in Ayurveda is thought to be due to vitiation of all three doshas i.e. vata, pitta & kapha. A detailed clinical pattern is described for cataract in Ayurveda with prognosis. Ayurveda believes that, it can be reversed if it is diagnosed in initial stage. Timira is the name given to describe all clinical conditions of cataract and its complications. Ayurveda texts also talk about the surgical treatments for mature cataract which was popular in India and worldwide in ancient times called as needing or couching. While talking about the medical treatments, life style modifications are recommended from unhealthy (or so called unhealthy) to strict healthy and instructed to follow the principles of health. The medical treatment cannot only prevent the progression of disease but also reduce the opacity and hence increase vision up to certain extent.
The major procedures adopted for treatment are
- Virechana
- Netra Tarpana
- Anjana
- Nasya
- Netra Seka
- Aschyotana
- Internal medicines
Ayurvedic tips to prevent cataract
Not only treating cataracts, but Ayurveda also suggests some lifestyle tips following which the chances of cataracts developing can be reduced considerably. Some of these are explained-
- Include ghee in your daily diet. Take 1 teaspoon of ghee two times daily to keep the vascular system functioning.
- Avoid food items such as pickle, strong tea, black coffee, sauce and other bitter and sour foods.
- Ayurvedic experts ask patients to consume cow milk and dairy products regularly to prevent cataract from worsening.
- Eat fruits such as oranges, apples, pomegranates, bananas to get sufficient amount of vitamin C.
- Eat green leafy vegetables such as spinach, ladyfinger.
- Put fenugreek seeds while cooking meals.
- Smoking disbalances the pitta doshas of the body, heightening the vata negatively. Quit smoking to keep the pitta doshas in place.
- Include good sources of vitamin E such as sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach.
- Regular use of sunflower seeds in cooking.
- Regular practice of Padabhyanga (applying oil on feet)
- To reduce aggravation of vata dosha, try to calm yourself and avoid excessive worrying and getting anxious.
- Stay away from harmful chemicals such as X-Rays, infrared rays.
About our doctor:
Ayurdhama has its special wing for Eye care & management of many eye diseases; headed by Dr Hariprasad Shetty M (BAMS, M.S), who did his masters in Ayurvedic ophthalmology. The expertise and knowledge of Dr. Hariprasad Shetty. M and his committed team of doctors, nurses and staff have been greatly successful in treating many highly complicated eye diseases.
TREATMENT PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Initial Consultation with Ayurveda eye specialist doctor and daily follow up consultation
- Accommodation
- All Ayurvedic Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Supper) & herbal drinks
- Advice on Diet & Lifestyle Management
- Ayurveda Therapies – Customised for each client.
- Eye exercises.
- Yoga (once a day – Yoga Asanas, Breathing, Meditation and Relaxation)
RESERVATION DETAILS:
- We are committed to keep up the quality of our treatment programs and we take only a limited number of patients each month.
- So we advise you to reserve your treatment programs a minimum one month in advance.
- The 50% charges of the treatment programs should be paid in advance to reserve the treatment programs.
- The advance deposit will be deducted from the total treatment programs and the balance must be paid on the first day of the treatment program.