Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition that affects the eyes, resulting in degeneration. It develops due to uncontrolled blood sugar damaging the blood vessels going to the light sensitive part of the eye known as the retina. This results in blurred vision, and in some severe cases, complete vision loss.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy:
- Blurred vision
- Gradual worsening of vision
- Eye floaters
- Eye pain
- Redness of eyes
- Difficulty seeing colors
- Blindness
Types of Diabetic Retinopathy
1. Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
In this condition, the damaged blood vessels leak fluids and blood and cause the Macula to swell. This is known as Macula Edema, which is the main cause of vision loss. Damage to these blood vessels can also cause them to close of circulation, resulting in Macula Ischemia. As a result, the Retina is unable to get proper circulation and begins to degenerate.
2. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
This is an advanced stage of Diabetic eye disease. In this condition, neovascularization (growth of new blood vessels) occurs. These blood vessels then bleed into the eye resulting in floaters or complete vision loss. Eventually, scar tissue develops and this can potentially lead to wrinkling or detachment of the Retina.
Diabetic Retinopathy is usually diagnosed with the help of tests such as:
- Fluorescein angiography
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
You can learn more about reversing Diabetes naturally along with its various complications by reading my book “Healing Diabetes Naturally“.
Evidence-Based Solution:
Triphala
Many people are familiar with this herbal formula. Its quite well known for its beneficial effects in terms of digestion, elimination, high cholesterol, Diabetes, Gingivitis and several other conditions. However, Triphala can also be used as a “Medicated Eye Bath” for treating certain eye disorders.
Please read carefully as I am not talking about Triphala tablets, capsules, or powder.
A lipid-based formula known as “Triphala Ghee“ is what is used for a Medicated Eye Bath.
What is a Medicated Eye Bath?
In Ayurvedic Medicine, there is a group of treatments known as “Pancha-karma”. These are basically 5 procedures which are used to heal specific systems and organs of the body. For the eyes, there is a treatment known as a “Medicated eye bath”. The traditional name for it is “Akshi Tarpanam” – it is a procedure that must be done by an Ayurvedic doctor.
This procedure is done by having the patient lie down, building a bridge around their eye sockets using a dough to create and area to hold the medicine. It is then filled with warm medicated ghee (in this case, Triphala Ghee). The patient is left to remain in this position for several minutes with their eyes open and bathing in this mixture. After a few minutes, the ghee is removed and the patient’s face is wiped and cleaned. This procedure is repeated over the course of several days depending on the needs of the patient.
Evidence of Efficacy and Safety
In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, patients with non-proliferative Diabetic retinopathy whom were treated with Triphala Ghee as an eye wash (as well as consumed internally), experienced significant improvement in visual acuity. No side-effects were noted (see study).
Triphala itself is known for having powerful anti-diabetic properties and has demonstrated so in clinical trials, however, it also contains a tannoid principle that appears to inhibit Aldose Reductase – an enzyme that plays a centralized role in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy.
(Always use medicinal herbs under the supervision of a doctor)
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by Dr. Nishal R.
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