European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Swapnil More*, Milind Bhoi and Sangeeta Salvi

ABSTRACT

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a chronic progressive, potentially sight threatening disease of retinal microvasculature associated with prolonged hyperglycemia. The risk of development of blindness in diabetics increases by 20-25 times as compared to the normal population have great concerns which leads to find out preventive measures in Ayurveda. Currently available conventional options for diabetic retinopathy have certain limitations. Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian subcontinent hold huge number of remedies that can be useful in the treatment of diabetes and preventing associated complications like diabetic retinopathy. Prevention is all about correcting and preventing the etiopathological mechanism (Samprapti vighatana). So as per etiopathological mechanisms described, the first and foremost care should be given to prevent madhumeha. The prevention of diabetic retinopathy revolves around treating the causes of madhumeha, management of Urdwaga Raktapitta, prevention of dhatu kshaya including oja kshaya and prevention of Agnimandya in general. Ayurvedic therapies like Pancha Karma (Purification/cleansing procedures), Shamana (Pacifying medicinal treatment) and Netra Kriya Kalpa, Rasayana in DR were found to be significantly effective.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, Ayurveda, Urdwaga Raktapitta, Agnimandya.