| Optic atrophy refers to changes in the color and | | | | These include medicines like Patol (Tricosanthe |
| structure of the optic disc associated with variable | | | | dioica), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha |
| degrees of visual dysfunction. Optic atrophy may | | | | (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) |
| be classified into hereditary, consecutive, | | | | and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). Medicines like |
| circulatory, metabolic, demyelinating, pressure, | | | | Suvarna-Parpati, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant and |
| post inflammatory and traumatic types. | | | | Abhrak-Bhasma are used in minute doses along |
| Degeneration of the retina and the optic nerve | | | | with the above-mentioned medicines in order to |
| due to different patho-physiological processes is | | | | improve the therapeutic response. |
| believed to be the cause of this disease. | | | | A special procedure called 'Akshi-Tarpan' is used |
| The Ayurvedic treatment of optic atrophy is | | | | for patients with a risk of complete loss of eye |
| aimed at preserving vision, slowing down or | | | | vision. In this procedure, a paste is applied around |
| reversing the degeneration in the retina and optic | | | | the eyes, and the eyes are then submerged in |
| nerve and treating the cause, if known. Medicines | | | | warm, medicated liquids like Triphala-Ghrut, |
| like Tapyadi-Loh, Punarnavadi-Mandur, | | | | Yashtimadhuk-Ghrut or Panch-Tikta-Ghrut for a |
| Saptamrut-Loh, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, | | | | few minutes. At the end of the procedure, the |
| Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Triphala-Ghrut, | | | | medicine is drained, the paste is removed and the |
| Vat-Gajankush-Ras and Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras | | | | eyes are then cleaned. The entire procedure is |
| are used to preserve vision and to prevent or | | | | repeated at specific intervals and is believed to |
| halt the degeneration in the retina and optic nerve. | | | | help in preserving vision in the eyes and promoting |
| Herbal medicines like Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), | | | | regeneration of the optic nerve. Another |
| Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia | | | | procedure which is believed to help in optic |
| bellerica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Tulsi | | | | atrophy is blood-letting from the skin around the |
| (Ocimum sanctum), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), | | | | eyes with the application of leeches. |
| Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and Punarnava | | | | It is important to treat the known causes of this |
| (Boerhaavia diffusa) can also be used for this | | | | condition. Optic atrophy is believed to be an |
| purpose. Triphala (Three fruits) is a herbal | | | | end-stage disease and therefore, it is important to |
| combination which is recommended in the | | | | initiate treatment at the earliest possible in order |
| Ayurvedic texts as the mainstay of treatment | | | | to limit the damage to the optic nerve. All such |
| for most of the diseases of the eyes. | | | | patients should be under the regular care and |
| In addition, medicines which act on the 'Rakta' and | | | | supervision of an Ophthalmologist. |
| 'Majja' dhatus (tissues) are helpful in this condition. | | | | |