| Age-Related Macular Degeneration, also known as | | | | AMD. Similarly, another herbal combination called |
| ARMD or AMD, is a disease associated with | | | | Rasayan-Vati, which includes Gokshur (Tribulus |
| ageing that gradually destroys sharp, central vision | | | | terrestris), Amalaki and Guduchi (Tinospora |
| of the eyes. An age more than 60, smoking, | | | | cordifolia), is also very useful in this condition. |
| obesity, female gender, and a family history, are | | | | Medicines which act on the 'Rakta' and 'Majja' |
| risk factors for this condition. AMD can be either | | | | dhatus (tissues) are very useful in this condition. |
| wet or dry. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels | | | | These include medicines like Patol (Tricosanthe |
| behind the retina start to grow under the macula. | | | | dioica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Saariva |
| Bleeding in these blood vessels can cause rapid | | | | (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha ( Cissampelos |
| loss in vision. In dry AMD, the light sensitive cells in | | | | pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kutaj |
| the macula break down slowly and cause a | | | | (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Guduchi and Amalaki. |
| gradual loss in central vision. Medications, laser | | | | Some Ayurvedic physicians recommend |
| surgery, photodynamic therapy and injections are | | | | blood-letting from the areas surrounding the eyes, |
| used to treat both dry and wet AMD. | | | | by using leeches. While this procedure has definite |
| The Ayurvedic treatment of AMD is aimed at | | | | therapeutic value in the treatment of many |
| preserving vision and preventing further damage | | | | different conditions, the clinical application of this |
| to the eye. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, | | | | procedure in AMD has not been scientifically |
| Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadhi-Qadha, | | | | studied. |
| Saarivasav, Chandrakala-Ras, Saptamrut-Loh, | | | | Medicated eye drops can be used which contain |
| Triphala-Ghrut, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut, | | | | Triphala, Rose water, Haridra (Curcuma longa), |
| Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Manjishtha (Rubia | | | | Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) and honey. Since |
| cordifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Tulsi | | | | the beneficial effect of these drops is not |
| (Ocimum sanctum) and Aswagandha (Withania | | | | immediately apparent, these need to be used |
| somnifera) are used in this condition. The herbal | | | | regularly for a long time. |
| combination called Triphala (Three fruits), which | | | | Ayurvedic medicines can be safely given in |
| includes Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki | | | | combination with modern treatment for AMD. All |
| (Terminalia chebula) and Behada (Terminalia | | | | such patients need to be under the regular care |
| bellerica), has considerable therapeutic value in | | | | and supervision of an Ophthalmologist. |