Abstract

ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN MANAGING RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

Dr. Shrawan Kumar Sahu*, Dr. Ashok Kumar Sinha

Abstract

Retinitis pigmentosa represents a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal disorders marked by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelium and resulting in progressive visual loss. It initiates with nyctalopia and/or delayed dark adaptation and ends with legal or complete blindness by developing “tunnel vision” i.e. loss of peripheral vision. Depending on the geographic location, the prevalence of Retinitis pigmentosa in patients ranges from 1:9000 to 1:750. Regions with high rates of consanguinity invites higher incidences of RP.No satisfactory treatment of Retinitis pigmentosa is available today, although the therapeutic advancements in the forms of gene therapy, cell replacement, pharmacotherapy, neurotrophic factors, and retinal prosthesis certainly assure the emergence of potential therapies which may bring about halting or slowing down of photoreceptor degeneration, or even restoring visual function up to some extent. But these are having their own limitations. Ayurveda, the most ancient Indian healing system, has the potential to deal with this intricate diasthesis in an effective manner. This article delineates how the adoption of Ayurvedic medicines and procedures is capable of bringing about great improvement in quality of life of patients with Retinitis pigmentosa along with restoring their vision.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Doshandha, Kapha Vidagda Drishti, Kriyakalpa Nakulandhya, Retinitis pigmentosa.