Ayurvedic Glaucoma Treatment at Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital

Glaucoma is a critical condition where the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye rises beyond normal levels. This elevated pressure exerts stress on the retina, especially the optic disc, leading to serious damage to the eye’s functional system. If left untreated, glaucoma progresses silently, resulting in permanent vision loss and blindness

Glaucoma can be broadly classified into two main types:

Open-Angle Glaucoma – The Silent Enemy

• This is the most common type of glaucoma, and as our chief physician, Dr. P.K. Santhakumari calls it, it is a ‘silent enemy’ because its onset is very silent, with no considerable symptoms seen, making patients unaware of the disease’s progress until it’s too late.
• Key initial signs to watch for:
• Headache and heaviness in the head
• Fullness in the eyes, especially in the morning or evening
• As the disease advances, the patient may experience:
• Reduced distant vision
• Loss of peripheral vision (side vision)
• If undiagnosed and untreated, the patient moves toward complete blindness.

 Closed-Angle Glaucoma – An Acute Threat

• Unlike open-angle glaucoma, this type has a sudden onset with obvious symptoms.
• The patient may experience:
• Redness in the eyes
• Severe pain
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Headaches
• Without immediate treatment, vision can be lost within days.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a long-standing, slow-progressing eye disease. One of the greatest risks for patients is that early symptoms often go unnoticed. There’s usually no pain, redness, or visible stiffness in the eyes, which makes it easy to overlook until the later stages when vision is already affected. This is why timely diagnosis and early intervention are crucial to preventing blindness.

In Ayurveda, the treatment approach for glaucoma is designed to slow down the progression of the disease and maintain optimal eye health without invasive surgeries. At Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, we specialize in Ayurvedic treatments for glaucoma, focusing on medicinal therapies that reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), improve vision, and prevent further damage

In Ayurveda, glaucoma is classified under Adhimandha, a term used for conditions where pressure builds up in the eyes. Treatment for glaucoma in Ayurveda focuses on balancing the doshas and addressing the root cause of the disease.

Identifying the Predominant Dosha

• The treatment plan is personalized, based on the tridosha theory:
• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha
• Key factors considered in treatment include:
• The patient’s age
• The severity of the condition
• The workload on the eyes

Identifying the predominant dosha allows the physician to develop a specific treatment plan.

Every patient’s treatment plan is unique. The therapies administered depend on the patient’s dosha and the clinical stage of glaucoma:

Vatadhimandha (Vata-Predominant Glaucoma)

• Vata-samana (pacifying Vata) and snigdha therapies (moisturizing therapies) are typically used.

 Pittadhimandha (Pitta-Predominant Glaucoma)

• Pitta-rakta sodhana therapy (blood purifying treatments) is applied to manage the condition.

Kaphadhimandha (Kapha-Predominant Glaucoma)

• The treatment focuses on Kapha-sodhana (removing excess Kapha) and siro-virechana (Cleansing of channels in the sira [head] region).

Rakthadhimandha (Raktha-Predominant Glaucoma)

• Rakthasodhana (blood purification) is the primary treatment approach for this type.

Ayurvedic treatment for glaucoma combines external therapies with internal medicinal treatments. This  approach ensures that the patient’s eye health is managed from both inside and outside.

External Therapies

• Ayurvedic treatments like Tharpanam (medicated ghee application) help nourish and strengthen the eyes.
• Nasya therapy (herbal nasal treatment) helps remove blockages, improving circulation to the eyes.

Internal Medicines

• Sodhana (purifying medicines) are administered to cleanse the body and promote healthy vision.

Dietary Restrictions and Lifestyle Corrections

• Proper dietary restrictions and following Ayurvedic lifestyle practices are essential for managing glaucoma effectively.

The key objectives of Ayurvedic treatment for glaucoma are:

• Arresting disease progression: Prevent the disease from worsening.
• Preserving existing vision: Ensure the patient retains their current level of vision.
• Preventing blindness: Especially in advanced stages, the treatment is designed to delay or avoid blindness.

Initial Consultation and Assessment

• Each patient undergoes a thorough assessment, which includes:
• A clinical analysis of the current glaucoma stage
• Necessary diagnostic tests
• A meeting with a senior physician

Personalized Care Plan

• The senior physician charts out a detailed care plan, explaining:
• The proposed treatments
• Medicines to be used
• Duration of the treatment
• Expected results

Patients are given a clear understanding of the journey ahead, ensuring transparency in care and management of their condition.

• Arresting disease progression: Prevent the disease from worsening.
• Preserving existing vision: Ensure the patient retains their current level of vision.
• Preventing blindness: Especially in advanced stages, the treatment is designed to delay or avoid blindness.

Important Points to Remember:

• The primary goal is managing the condition, not curing it completely.
• Early intervention provides the best chance of preserving vision.

Treatment outcomes depend heavily on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.

One of the key dangers of primary open-angle glaucoma is that it progresses slowly, often going undetected until irreversible damage has already occurred. Notable symptoms like pain and redness are absent, which is why many patients discover the disease only in its advanced stages.

If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to complete vision loss. The damage to the optic nerve caused by increased pressure in the eye can reach a point where no recovery is possible. The greatest risk, therefore, is blindness.

By opting for Ayurvedic treatment for glaucoma, you can take a preventive approach. Our treatments aim to control the progression of the disease and help preserve your vision without the need for surgical interventions.

• Ayurveda focuses on medicinal treatments first, unlike conventional methods that often jump to surgery when IOP remains high.
• Ayurvedic herbs and therapies have shown significant results in reducing intraocular pressure and improving the structural health of the eye.
• If you’re under treatment for glaucoma, it’s important to not only check IOP but also monitor vision. If vision decreases even though IOP is controlled, Ayurveda can provide alternatives to halt further damage.
• Opting for medicinal treatment before surgery increases the chances of preserving vision. Once structural changes like valves or stents are implanted, medicinal options become limited.

Ayurvedic treatment is powerful because it focuses on holistic management of the body and the eye. The natural remedies aim to address both the root cause and symptoms of glaucoma.

At Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital, we specialize in comprehensive inpatient treatment programs for glaucoma, particularly for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Our inpatient program ensures that each patient receives focused care under the supervision of senior Ayurvedic physicians, combining personalized therapies with constant monitoring to manage and slow the progression of glaucoma.

Key components of the inpatient program include:

• Customized Treatment Plans: Based on each patient’s unique condition and the clinical stage of glaucoma, treatments are designed to address the specific needs of the patient.
• Round-the-Clock Care: Patients benefit from continuous care and monitoring throughout their stay, ensuring maximum effectiveness of the treatments.
• Therapeutic Procedures: A range of Ayurvedic therapies are administered to balance eye pressure, nourish the optic nerve, and promote eye health.

This inpatient care approach allows for a deeper focus on managing the disease, ensuring that patients receive the most effective Ayurvedic treatments tailored to their individual needs.

Our Ayurvedic treatment plans are personalized for each patient based on their specific clinical stage of disease and medical history. This tailored approach ensures maximum effectiveness in managing and slowing the progression of glaucoma.

Glaucoma patients who do not take the right steps in the early stages risk eventual blindness. This can be avoided by seeking timely treatment at Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital.

• Always monitor both IOP and vision. Even if IOP is normal, but vision is worsening, it’s time to seek alternative treatment.
• Surgery is often the last resort. Medicinal treatments can be highly effective and should be prioritized first.
• Ayurvedic treatments are known for their high medicinal action. Patients who undergo Ayurvedic therapies often avoid the need for surgical intervention.

• Glaucoma is a silent, slow-progressing disease. Symptoms are often unnoticed, making it a dangerous condition if left untreated.
• The risk of blindness is very high in untreated cases, but timely Ayurvedic intervention can prevent vision loss.
• Choosing Ayurveda first can reduce the need for surgery, allowing you to manage the disease naturally and effectively.
• Surgery is often the last resort. Medicinal treatments can be highly effective and should be prioritized first.
• Ayurvedic treatments are known for their high medicinal action. Patients who undergo Ayurvedic therapies often avoid the need for surgical intervention.

Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital has built a legacy of trust in Ayurvedic eye care, offering specialized treatment for complex eye conditions. Our expertise in Ayurvedic glaucoma treatment provides patients with a natural and effective approach to preserving and enhancing their vision, even in challenging cases.

Don’t wait until the disease progresses further. Book your consultation today to learn more about how our Ayurvedic glaucoma treatments can help protect your vision.