Glaucoma is a large group of progressive eye diseases characterized by damage to the eye's optic nerve. Glaucoma is one of the quite common eye diseases actually it is group of eye issues leads to the damage to optic nerve which may leads to irreversible blindness.

Glaucoma is usually caused by increased pressure in the eye, which can be due to a blocked channel or the eye producing too much fluid. Other causes include blunt or chemical eye injuries, severe eye infections, and other inflammatory conditions.

Symptoms include gradual loss of peripheral vision, followed by central vision loss. Symptoms can start so slowly that may not notice in the early stages.

Medical treatments for glaucoma focus on lowering the intra ocular pressure (IOP). In most cases, lowering IOP can slow or stop the progressive damage being done to the optic nerve. However, any damage that is already done is permanent. There's no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can stop the damage and protect your vision. 

 

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA

The term “glaucoma” is used to describe a number of different eye conditions, all of which involve damage to the optic nerve. It's often linked to a build-up of pressure inside your eye. Glaucoma tends to run in families. The increased pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure, it can gradually damage optic nerve that sends images to brain. If the damage worsens, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or even total blindness with the passage of time. 

 

CAUSES OF GLAUCOMA;

The main cause is an abnormality in the eye's drainage system that prevents fluid from draining properly. Other factors that can increase the risk of glaucoma include: 

Age- older age people have more chances of getting glaucoma. Family history- there are case seen where glaucoma has family history.  A few medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, other eye issues related to ocular pressure and contain medication like corticosteroids can increase the risk. 

 

TYPES OF GLAUCOMA

There are two main types

Open-angle glaucoma; This is the most common type. Where fluid from the eye doesn’t properly. OAG is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible eye condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the eye and puts pressure on the optic nerve. 

Angle-closure glaucoma; It is also called acute close – angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. In this case the drain space between iris and cornea becomes too narrow which leads to build up of pressure and it can be an acute condition. Close-angle glaucoma can be an emergency condition and requires immediate medical attention. If left untreated, it can cause blindness in just a few days. 

 

SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA; few of the common symptoms of glaucoma are;

Seeing halos around lights

Vision loss

Redness in the eye

Upset stomach or vomiting

Eye pain

Severe headache

Blurred vision with exercise

Gradual loss of side vision

In some cases, there is no symptoms in the beginning and gradually the vision gets blurred followed by loss of vision in the later stages. 

 

AYURVEDIC VEIW OF GLAUCOMA;

As above said, glaucoma refers to the progressive eye conditions which leads to the irreversible vision loss or blind ness. The open angle glaucoma can be correlated to Timira explained in Ayurveda. Which is an eye condition that causes visual disturbances and can lead to blindness if left untreated. The specific cause of Timira is not clear, but mentioned general causes of eye diseases. Timira begins with impairment of vision and progresses to complete blindness.

Angle close glaucoma can be correlated to a diseased condition called as adhimantha. Ayurveda Acharya says that Abhisyanda when left untreated it become the cause of adhimantha. Abhisyanda is an inflammatory condition it affects whole eye, and can arise due to blockage of drainage channels (shroto-sanga) in the eye. It is similar to ocular inflammation may leads to increase intra ocular pressure, and can cause eye pain, headache, watering of eyes and deterioration of vision. When we talk about severity of Adhimantha similar to angle- close glaucoma. It has different types as per doshas predominance and severity;

When there is vata dosha predominance vision lose may occur within 5-6 days, if pitta predominance vision loss can occur immediately and, within 7 days in case kapha.

 

Ayurvedic treatment approach depends on the stage of the disease and the predominant Dosha involved. Treatments include Shodhna therapies and Shaman therapies, such as Panchakarma procedures and internal and external medications. Panchkarma therapies include procedures like Virechana, Basti, and Shirovirechana, and Shaman procedure like Shirodhara, Mastishkya , Pindi – Vidalaka , Tarpana, aschyotna, puta paka and Marma abhyanga .

Oral medication, yoga, meditation and food.

At Ketav’s Ayush Health Paradise we also emphasise on Pathya ahara –vihara (food and life style), Rutucharya (seasonal regimen) and Dincharya (daily regimen) which helps in healing and can helps in prevention of progression of disease. Yoga, Meditation and Pranayama are the part of treatment plan for glaucoma. This holistic approach is helpful to provide successful management of glaucoma. 

We recommend 21 days of Ayurveda panchkarma therapy for the management of glaucoma and to rejuvenate your eyes.