| Stargardt's disease, also known as Stargardt's | | | | In addition, medicines are given to improve the |
| macular dystrophy and fundus flavimaculatus, is | | | | nourishment to the photoreceptor cells in the |
| the most common form of inherited juvenile | | | | macula and prevent or reduce the degeneration |
| macular degeneration. This disease usually begins | | | | of these cells. Medicines like |
| in late childhood and gradually leads to legal | | | | Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Tapyadi-Loh, |
| blindness. | | | | Ekang-Veer-Ras, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, |
| The Ayurvedic treatment of Stargardt's disease | | | | Abhrak-Bhasma, Tamra-Bhasma and |
| is aimed at preventing or delaying the | | | | Trivang-Bhasma can be used for this purpose. |
| pathophysiological process of this disease. A | | | | Herbal medicines like Shatavari (Asparagus |
| gradual buildup of lipid (fat) deposits in the Retinal | | | | racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), |
| Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cuts off the nourishment | | | | Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), |
| which the RPE provides to the photoreceptor cells | | | | Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Guduchi (Tinospora |
| in the macula part of the retina. This causes a | | | | cordifolia), Amalaki, Saariva, Manjishtha (Rubia |
| gradual degeneration of the photoreceptor cells, | | | | cordifolia), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Chandan |
| leading to loss of vision. Ayurvedic medicines like | | | | (Santalum album) and Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis) |
| Arogya-Vardhini, Medohar-Guggulu, | | | | can also be used for this purpose. |
| Triphala-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu and | | | | A special Panchkarma procedure called |
| Tryushanadi-Loh are used to prevent and reduce | | | | "Netra-Tarpan" is believed to have potential for |
| the fat deposition which is basically responsible for | | | | benefit in the long-term treatment of Stargardt's |
| this disease. Herbal medicines like Triphala (Three | | | | disease. In this procedure, a paste is applied |
| fruits), Trikatu (Three pungent herbs), Amalaki | | | | around the eyes, and a lukewarm solution of |
| (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), | | | | medicated ghee or oil like Triphala-Ghrut, |
| Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Boerhaavia | | | | Shatavari-Ghrut or Mahanarayan-Oil is poured |
| diffusa), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Pippali | | | | inside, so that the entire eye is immersed in the |
| (Piper longum) and Marich (Piper nigrum) can also | | | | medicine. After a pre-determined period, the liquid |
| be used for this purpose. | | | | is drained, the paste is removed, and the eyes |
| Medicines like Punarnavadi-Qadha, | | | | are gently wiped clean. |
| Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnava, Gokshur (Tribulus | | | | It should be remembered that this disease |
| terrestris), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus) and | | | | process is often quite slow and eludes diagnosis |
| Musta (Cyperus rotundus) are used to help in | | | | for several years. Treatment needs to be taken |
| speedy removal of the fat deposits from the | | | | regularly for several years in order to prevent |
| RPE. Medicines like Apamarga (Achyranthus | | | | loss of vision. Avoiding exposure to bright light and |
| aspera), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Ikshumool | | | | the use of ultraviolet protective sunglasses can |
| (Saceharum officinarum), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica) | | | | retard the progress of this disease. All children |
| and Patha (Cissampelos pareira) can also be used | | | | affected with this condition should be under the |
| for this purpose. | | | | regular care and supervision of an Ophthalmologist. |