Macular Edema
Macular edema (ME) is the collection of fluid underneath the retina’s central portion. A healthy macula provides the clearest eyesight and enables us to see colors. With macular edema, vision becomes hazy, and colors become muted. It is advised to seek therapy as soon as retinal edema is detected. Eye damage may be irreversible if treatment is delayed. Macular Edema treatment
Macular Edema Causes
The leading causes of macular edema are:
- Diabetes
- Postoperative complication following by cataract surgery
- Central retinal vein occlusion
- Age related macular degeneration
- Chronic uveitis
- Any blockage of a vein in the retina
- Side effects of the drugs such as latanoprost, epinephrine, rosiglitazone, adrenaline eye drops (especially for Aphakia glaucoma)
- Intraocular inflammations such as pars planitis, Behcet disease
- Some congenital diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and retinoschisis
Macular Edema Symptoms
The person who is suffering from macular edema may present following symptoms
- Distorted and blurred vision
- Sudden loss of central focused vision
- Dull colors
- Difficulty in reading and driving
- The heaviness of the eye
- Loss of contrast
Diagnosis and Macular Edema Treatment in Ayurveda
A visual acuity test, an Amsler grid, an OCT exam, and a fluorescein angiography test assist in detecting macular edema and explaining the bleeding blood vessels.
Macular edema is a naturally reoccurring disorder. Even after effective therapy with many Anti-VEGF injections, the leakage may be resurgent.
According to Ayurveda, all three doshas are vitiated in macular edema, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurvedic therapy for macular edema focuses on correcting this deficiency. Correction of the vitiation, correction of the underlying root cause, and revitalizing Ayurvedic edema medications aid in the healing of the leaky blood vessels in the retina.
Thakradhara, Netradhara, Virechan, Pindi, Vidalak, and Tharpana are Ayurvedic treatments that help prevent the recurrence of macular edema.
Ayurvedic Treatment
An Ayurveda eye expert at Prakash Nethralaya searches for the disease’s fundamental cause and assesses the patient’s medical history. Then, the doctor provides the therapy by bearing in mind the underlying cause of the sickness and by strengthening the blood vessels leaking to avoid a recurrence of the ailment. A patient with macular edema must spend three weeks at an Ayurvedic eye hospital for panchakarma therapy. Depending on the underlying core reason, the Panchakarma therapy is followed by six to twelve months of medication. An online video consultation with our Ayurvedic eye expert may dispel any uncertainties and determine the best course of therapy.
Why to Choose Ayurveda?
Looks for the Root Cause
The ayurvedic approach to sickness seeks the underlying cause, not just the symptoms. Ayurveda provides two therapeutic methods: Shodhan and Shaman. Shodhan is the whole cleansing of the body using Panchakarma therapy. Shamans balance the doshas using Ayurvedic medications, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes. A patient who has undergone Panchakarma is always more receptive to Ayurvedic remedies.
Safe Medicines
Ayurvedic medications are prepared organically, as opposed to synthetically or chemically. Because of this, the herbs are gentle on the body, and there is no chance of adverse effects even if the patient must take them for extended periods. In addition, the complete elimination of the underlying cause guarantees recovery and avoids future health issues.
Holistic Approach
Ayurveda is not merely a medical science. Instead, it is a philosophical science too. The basic principles of Ayurveda consider an individual human a specific identity and hence his treatment. Ayurveda gives importance to the treatment of the patient rather than the treatment of the disease. Two patients of the same disease can have different treatments because of the difference in their body constitution.
Planet Ayurveda Provides Following Herbal Products for This Disease
- Punarnava Capsules
- Arjuna Capsules
- Bilberry Capsules
- Angel eye vitale
Diagnosis and Macular Edema Treatment in Natural
Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is the most important modification in lifestyle utilized to cure MACULAR EDEMA. Some supplement manufacturers may claim that they may cure MACULAR EDEMA. However, it is crucial to note that this disease cannot be reversed; it can only be delayed.
Research by the National Eye Institute (NEI) revealed that consuming the dietary supplement AREDS2 substantially delayed the progression of advanced macular degeneration in patients. However, the supplement did not decrease the progression of MACULAR EDEMA among individuals in the early stages of the illness, nor did it prevent the condition from developing.
The AREDS2 supplement included 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 international units of vitamin E, 80 milligrams of zinc (as zinc oxide), 2 milligrams of copper (as cupric oxide), 10 milligrams of lutein, and 2 milligrams of zeaxanthin.
Other nutritional considerations include:
- Avoid beta carotene.
- Eat more vegetables, especially leafy greens.
- Reduce sugar intake significantly.
- Consume more omega-3 fatty acid foods, like fish.
- Eat more fruit, especially high-fiber fruit.
Regular exercise is also necessary. People with hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, and/or obesity are more prone to develop macular degeneration. Macular degeneration may be prevented and its progression slowed by maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol level.
Cigarette smoking hastens vision loss and increases the likelihood of acquiring various eye disorders, including macular degeneration. If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, smoking will accelerate the progression of the illness. If you do not already have macular degeneration, smoking will raise your likelihood of developing it. Quitting may decrease the progression of the disease or minimize your chance of developing MACULAR EDEMA.
Herbal Medicine for the Treatment of Macular Edema
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made using following examination
- Ophthalmoscopy: This test clinically reveals a typical Honey-comb appearance of macula. This disease is also examined under the slit lamp.
- Fundus fluorescein angiography: This test demonstrates leakage and accumulation of fluid in the macular region.
Other tests are
- Visual acuity
- Dilated eye exam
- Optical coherence tomography
Complication
If this disease is left untreated then it may end into lamellar macular hole
Treatment
There is no permanent cure for this disease. We can manage this condition symptomatically. We can give NSAIDS or cortisone eye drops. Diabetic macular degeneration is managed by managing sugar level.