Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Ischemic Optic neuropathy (ION)

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a medical condition in which there is sudden vision loss, either complete or partial, due to a disrupted blood supply to the optic nerve.  ION is of two types – anterior, which is more common and posterior, which is comparatively less common. Anterior ION relates to the disease which is confined to the retina and the immediate adjoining part of the optic nerve.  Posterior ION relates to pathology which affects the distal part of the optic nerve, often away from the eyeball.

 Anterior ION is of two types -- arteritis and non-arteritis. Arteritis AION relates to inflammation of arteries, more usually associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA).  This condition is common in women, especially over 55.  This condition is associated with generalised symptoms such as fever, fatigue, bodyache in addition to localized pain.  There is usually a temporary blurring of vision before permanent vision loss occurs.  Flourescein angiography is diagnostic of this condition.  Steroids are used in this condition to protect the unaffected eye.

Non-arteritis AION is comparatively more common than the arteritis type and is seen in both sexes and at any age.  This condition is usually caused due to sudden reduction in the blood pressure.  Medical conditions with an increased risk of non-arteritis AION include diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, herpes zoster, anemia, sickle-cell disease, drastic changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal ulcers, heart disease, vasculitis, and migraine.  This condition is characterized by a sudden and painless vision loss in one eye, usually on waking up from sleep. The management of this condition includes treatment of the underlying cause; especially, aggressive treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment of ION depends upon the cause of the disease.  If inflammation of arteries is the cause, herbal medicines which have strong anti-inflammatory properties are used in high doses in order to prevent loss of vision or salvage the maximum possible vision.  Treatment is given to treat inflammation and blockage within the arteries and capillaries and to remove toxic components within the circulation so as to prevent or reduce damage to the retina and optic nerve.

Non-arteritis AION is usually treated according to the known cause of the disease as well as the accompanying symptoms.  Treatment is usually given to treat inflammation, stabilise the nerve cells within the retina and optic nerve, improve circulation, and remove toxins and debris from the eyes.

For any type of ION, Ayurvedic herbal treatment is usually given for periods ranging from six to nine months in order to bring about the maximum possible remission in the symptoms and restore vision to the maximum extent possible.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Ischemic optic neuropathy is a spectrum of eye diseases which consists of different clinical entities involving the optic nerve, in which the primary pathology relates to a reduction in the blood supply to the optic nerve.  Ischemic optic neuropathy is divided into anterior, which involves the optic nerve head; and posterior, which involves the rest of the optic nerve.  These can again be divided into arteritic type, which results from Giant cell arteritis; while the other type is non-arteritic, in which the causes are other than Giant cell arteritis.  Another type is surgical, in which the disease results from a complication of different surgical procedures.  Primarily, ischemic optic neuropathy is significant since it can cause blindness of varying degrees, and may constitute a medical emergency.  Treatment is primarily with high dose of steroids.  Some of these types may improve spontaneously to some extent.

The Ayurvedic herbal treatment for ischemic optic neuropathy is aimed at treating the root cause of the disease, as well as reducing and preventing further damage and loss of vision.  Since the main pathology of the disease relates to a reduction in blood supply to the optic nerve, irrespective of the location of the disease, Ayurvedic herbal medicines are utilised which help in increasing the blood supply to the optic nerve.  Ayurvedic medicines are also used to help correct the functioning of the optic nerve, to strengthen the nerve cells in this nerve, as well as to regulate and normalize the conduction of impulses from the optic nerve to the brain centers. 

In addition, Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given to detoxify the blood as well as to remove toxins present within the eye which can be harmful to the structures in the eye.  Medicines are also given to flush out these toxins from the circulation, mostly through the gastrointestinal tract and through the kidneys.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines reduce the inflammation both in the micro capillaries as well as the delicate structures in the eye.  This helps in reducing further damage and improving vision to some extent.  Depending upon the severity of the presentation of this condition, most affected individuals need to take medicines for about four to six months, in order to significantly benefit from Ayurvedic herbal treatment for this condition.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in the management and treatment of different types of ischemic optic neuropathy.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com