Glaucoma is an eye disease that occurs due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) either as a result of malformation or malfunction of the eye’s drainage structure. It is caused by increased pressure in the eye due to a build up of excess fluid. If this is not treated in time, IOP will cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers. It will thus result in a loss of peripheral or side vision and ultimately permanent loss of vision. If on the other hand, timely treatment is made then the progress of the disease can be halted.
Causes
A normal eye is filled with fluid and this clear fluid flows through the tissue between the iris and cornea. When one is afflicted by glaucoma the fluid either flows out slowly or stops flowing at all. There is a delicate balance and a resulting pressure on the eyes between the production and drainage of fluid. In glaucoma this balance is affected and causes pressure to build up throughout the eye damaging the blood vessels that feed the retina and the optic nerve. If the pressure in the eyes is lowered we can then prevent further damage to the optic nerve and peripheral vision loss. It is to be realized, however, that some eyes can withstand higher pressure than others.
Symptoms
Glaucoma is generally called the sneak thief of sight because this disease does not exhibit any major symptoms initially. One does not feel any pain and there will be no effect on the vision. The onset of the disease can only be detected by routine eye examination. However, certain types like angle closure and congenital do exhibit certain symptoms such as sudden decrease in vision, extreme eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting and halos around bright light etc.
Ayurveda considers glaucoma to be the result of the vitiation of the kapha dosha.
All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient’s body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.
The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person’s body humor (Dosha) –Vata, Pita or Kapha , because it is the imbalance of these body humors that creates Glaucoma
The dominance of dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, age, height & weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also.
Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person’s body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease
Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.
In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.
Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.
In the eye diagnosis, the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status – nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc – can also be learned through eye diagnosis.
A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide.
After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and docotrs advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.
The following pre-purification methods are usually adopted in curing glaucoma
Thalam Retention of medicated paste or oil right on the vertex of a person for over 30 minutes is termed thalam. The therapeutic effects of herbs and oils pass on to the central and autonomous nervous system through the brain. Indian pennywort,staff tree,sida plant,etc are some of the medicinal herbs used in preparing the herbal paste. Thalam is highly recommended for the treatment of glaucoma.
SirodharaIn this process herbal oil, medicated milk, medicated butter milk etc, are poured on the forehead in a specified manner for about 45-50 minutes. It is highly effective for glaucoma. Ingredients used in Sirodhara include goose berry, nut grass tuber and sandal wood etc.
Tharpanam is an ayurvedic therapy especially suitable for the eyes. In Ayurveda tharpanam or tharpan means retention of medicines over the eyes for up to 30 minutes or more a day. Tharpanam is effective in treating every type of eye disorder. It basically is an eye cleansing process and gives a cooling effect to the eyes. In tharpanam therapy, the eyes are bordered with a thick medical combination and the medicated oil is then retained over the eye.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The two commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for glaucoma are Nasyam and Virechanam
Nasyam is the pouring of herbal oil in drops in to the nostrils and inhaling the contents. This opens up the head channels and enables the herb extracts to act directly on the central nervous system. Nasyam treatment lasts for twenty to thirty minutes. The herbal oil is a blend of sesame oil mixed with herbs such as sida plants, bel, vitex etc. Nasyam is highly effective in the treatment of glaucoma.
Virechanam consists of intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of the poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person.
These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.
used for treating glaucoma will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure glaucoma. kashayams and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentationslehyams – semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Some of the herbs and spices used in the preparation of kashayams and lehyams for treating glaucoma patients include Aniseed, babul, carrot, coriander, Indian Gooseberry, marigold etc
Home Remedies
One should prepare a mixture having an equal proportion of aniseed powder and coriander seed powder. Mix this with an equal amount of unrefined sugar. One should then take in 12 grams doses every morning and evening. It is also found that inhaling the odors of sesame mixed in honey reduces excess wateriness in the eye. Taking two pieces of cardamom and mixing them in milk after powdering them and drinking it at night after boiling them has been found to be very beneficial for glaucoma patients.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from glaucoma during and after the treatment. Foods rich in Vitamin A are to be consumed as vitamin A is directly responsible for the strength and power of the eyes. Vitamin A is abundantly found in oranges, carrots, pumpkins, mangoes, papayas, Indian goose berry, guava, lemon, tomato, capsicum, cabbage etc.
Consumption of green leafy vegetables and dairy products is to be encouraged as these also contain fair amounts of vitamin A. And among non vegetarian food, fish, liver and eggs are good.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages is to be avoided. Excess intake of tea, coffee as also hot, spicy and oily foods is to be avoided.
You can find out your type of prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself .
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself
It should be realized that stress plays a significant role in the occurrence of glaucoma as Intra Ocular Pressure can be affected by the emotional state of the patient This IOP is also associated with psycho physiological stress and that stress reduction will help to reduce and prevent IOP. Light yoga exercises and meditation are all hence highly beneficial for the glaucoma patient. However, the patient should take particular care to avoid any posture where the head is kept down. The head is always to be kept high.
Life Style for Glaucoma
Patients suffering from glaucoma should avoid tension, stress and anxiety in their daily lives. They are also advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. At this time the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy. They should avoid direct exposure to the sun, staying up late in to the night and viewing television for long periods. They should take care to refrain from every form of eye strain. They should quit smoking altogether. Light yoga postures, meditations and breathing exercises are advised as research has shown that patients with glaucoma who exercise regularly for at least 3 times a week can reduce their intraocular pressure by an average of twenty per cent.
