Ayurvedic Management of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an important complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Currently available conventional treatments for DR have certain limitations; considering which options from alternative resources are being searched. In Ayurveda, DR can be compared with Madhumehajanya timira, for which treatment modalities have been mentioned elaborately. In this current case of Madhumehajanya timira, Ayurvedic treatment was done along with conventional treatment. A male patient of 61 years visited the OPD complaining of defective distant and near vision since six months. Based upon the history and clinical features, he was diagnosed to be suffering from Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) with maculopathy in both eyes. He underwent one sitting of Intra Vitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide injection in both eyes before starting Ayurvedic treatment. Deepana (~stomachic) and Pachana (~digestant), Mridu virechana (~mild therapeutic purgation), Shiro virechana (~eliminative nasal medication) and three sittings of Pratimarsha nasya (~nasal medication of mild dose) with Durvadi ghrita and Takradhara (~pouring medicated buttermilk over the scalp) were the treatment procedures adopted in this case. He was prescribed with Rasayana yoga and Pratimarsha nasya with Durvadi ghrita for three months. At the end of the treatment; there was improvement in near vision and visual acuity in both eyes. Ophthalmoscopy revealed reduction in exudates and hemorrhages. HbA1C was reduced to 7.4 from 10.3 after treatment. The observations reveal that Ayurvedic approaches are helpful in managing Diabetic Retinopathy successfully.