Macular degeneration is a medical condition usually of older adults that results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of visual impairment in the elderly (>50 years) Age-related macular degeneration begins with characteristic yellow deposits called drusen in the macula between the retinal pigment epithelium and the underlying choroid.
Most people with these early changes have good vision. People with drusen can go on to develop advanced AMD. The risk is considerably higher when the drusen are large and numerous and associated with disturbance in the pigmented cell layer under the macula.
Atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelial layer causes vision loss through loss of photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the central part of the eye.
Neovascular or exudative AMD, the “wet” form of advanced AMD, causes vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth called choroidal neovascularization in the choriocapillaris, through Bruchs membrane, ultimately leading to blood and protein leakage below the macula. Bleeding, leaking, and scarring from these blood vessels eventually causes irreversible damage to the photoreceptors and rapid vision loss if left untreated.
Symptoms of Macular Degeneration:
- Blurred vision: Those with nonexudative macular degeneration may be asymptomatic or notice a gradual loss of central vision, whereas those with exudative macular degeneration often notice a rapid onset of vision loss.
- Central scotomas (shadows or missing areas of vision) are noticed by many patients.
- Distorted vision (i.e. metamorphopsia) – A grid of straight lines appears wavy and parts of the grid may appear blank.
- Color confusions; specifically dark ones from dark ones and light ones from light ones.
- Slow recovery of visual function after exposure to bright light
Ayurveda Treatment of Macular Degeneration:
M.D. according to Ayurveda is caused by vitiation of vata & pitta doshas. All dry types are purely vata type and wet type has pitta dosha along with vata. So, the Ayurvedic treatment of Macular Degeneration also varies according to the stage whether dry or wet type.
Ayurvedic treatment can control the progressive degeneration in majority of cases so that present vision status can be stabilized. Rejuvenating Ayurvedic medicines give strength to retina and some improvement in vision can also be expected.
In wet type Macular Degeneration, it is very imp to start the treatment immediately otherwise the persistent edema will make irreversible damage in retina and it will not be able to reverse the vision in those cases.
The major treatment procedures done for the treatment of Macular Degeneration are as follows
- Nethradhara
- Pindi
- Anjanam
- Shirodhara
- Netra Tharpanam
- Aschotanam
- Nasya
- Lepa
- Basti
- Putapaaka
- Purampada
- Vidalaka
- Shirovasti
- Internal medicines
These procedures are done in presence of an expert Ayurvedic eye specialist. The total duration of these treatments is by hospitalization of approximately 2- 3 weeks duration. 2-4 courses are mandatory at an interval of approximately 3-6 months in most of the cases to get the maximum benefits out of this Ayurvedic treatment.
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 – Customized 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.