Tag: Ayurvedic treatment for Stargardt Disease

Abstract

As we know, eyes are the sensory organ responsible for vision. It is one of the most complicated components of the body. The eye consists of various parts such as the sclera, cornea, iris, lens, upil, retina, etc. Each of these parts is responsible for unique actions and functions resulting in the perception of images. Even a minor abnormality in one of these can hinder the normal vision mechanism. There are various conditions in which the vision is hindered due to a variety of reasons. One such condition is Stargardt disease. This condition of stargardt disease along with its causes, symptoms, ayurvedic management, etc. will be described in detail in the following article.

Introduction

Stargardt disease is an ophthalmic condition that hinders the vision of the affected person. It is considered to be an inherited disorder. The person suffering from stargardt disease experiences the diminishing of vision which eventually leads to total vision loss. Stargardt disease is also known as juvenile macular dystrophy. Usually, vision loss is observed in the early childhood or adolescent years but it may also be noticed in adulthood in a few cases. Stargardt disease, as said earlier is a hereditary disease which is related to abnormalities in the genes. This results in the deposition of a fatty layer up on the macula. This layer will hinder the vision as the macula is a small component of the retina which is responsible for the sharp central vision. The cause underlying the condition of stargardt disease will be discussed as follows.

Causes Of Stargardt Disease

The causative factor behind the condition of stargardt disease is identified to be abnormal changes in the gene ABCA 4 . The gene ABCA4 is considered to be responsible for the utilization of Vitamin A. The normal physiology of the body utilizes the Vitamin- A to produce cells in the retina. The gene ABCA 4 is then supposed to remove the residual fatty material, hence preventing its deposition. But due to the abnormal changes, gene ABCA 4 fails to perform its functions properly hence, resulting in the deposition of a fatty layer upon the macula which starts to destroy the cells and gradually reduces the central vision. This will lead to the presentation of various features which will be discussed as follows.

Symptoms Of Stargardt Disease

The patient starts experiencing various difficulties related to the vision usually in the childhood, teenage years or early adulthood. The difficulties experienced will vary from patient to patient. The most common ones are described as follows. There may be complaints of blurry vision, distorted vision, etc. The side vision is usually not affected. He/ she may see black, gray, or hazy spots in the center of vision. In some cases, color blindness is also observed. The patient experiences difficulty moving from light into dark places and vice versa because eyes begin to take longer to adjust between light and dark places.

Diagnosis Of Stargardt Disease

There can be various eye tests that will be needed to exclude different conditions and confirm the diagnosis of stargardt disease. Your doctor will put eye drops to dilate the pupils and then perform the required eye test. The various tests could be the color vision test, fundus photography, electroretinography, optical coherence tomography and genetic testing, etc. Modern medicine fails to provide any treatment for this condition. But, the ayurvedic literature presents a very unique perspective in favor of this stargardt disease which will be explained as follows.

Ayurvedic Aspect OnStargardt Disease

The condition of stargardt disease is, as explained earlier, caused due to abnormalities in the gene and is hereditary. The ayurveda explains the concept of genes in the categories of beeja, beejabhaga, and beeja bhaga avyava. In this condition, dushti of these above-mentioned components results in the disease. The beeja can be correlated with sperm in males and ovum in females, the beeja bhaga can be correlated with the chromosomes and the beeja bhaga avayava can be correlated with the gene. The dushti or vitiation of these components lead to the development of various hereditary diseases. In turn, this leads to the dushti or vitiation of the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha). So, to manage these dosha needs to be rebalanced to regain the normal state of the body. This will require various ayurvedic preparations such as amalaki rasayan, saptamrit loh, etc. These formulations will be described in detail as follows.

Herbal Remedies For Stargardt Disease By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is providing various preparations of natural herbs such as saptamrit loha, brahmi ghrita, angel eye vital, amalaki rasayan etc. which are prepared using authentic ways and provide great results in improving the condition of stargardt disease. The ayurvedic products beneficial for improving the condition of stargardt disease is described as follows –

1. Saptamrit Loha
2. Brahmi Ghrit
3. Angel Eye Vitale
4. Amalaki Rasayan

Products Description

1. Saptamrit Loha

Saptamrit loha is a very beneficial ayurvedic formulation which shows great results in improving the health of the patient suffering from stargardt disease.It is very effective in managing eye diseases, gastritis, fever, burning sensation, etc. It contains loha bhasma (calyx of iron) as the main component. Hence, it helps to improve the various other health conditions such as fatigue, low hemoglobin levels, anemia, etc.also. It helps to balance the pitta dosha in the body.

Dosage: It can be given 2 tablets two times a day.

2. Brahmi Ghrit

Brahmi ghrit is prepared by planet ayurveda using a combination of various beneficial ayurvedic herbs such as brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), vacha (Acorus calamus), etc. These herbs are prepared in ghrit and provide a variety of health benefits. It helps to pacify the aggravated vata dosha and it is known to improve eyesight, intelligence and various other body elements. Brahmi ghrit also acts as a rasayan and helps to rejuvenate the cells of the body, hence boosting the overall body health.

Dosage: 1 tsp twice a day after meals with warm water.

3. Angel Eye Vitale

The Angel eye vitale capsules are prepared by planet ayurveda. It contains a wonderful combination of various beneficial ayurvedic herbs such as amla (Embellica officinalis), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), etc. It helps to improve the eyesight and helps to manage various vision-related difficulties. The components of the angel eye vitale capsules also help to pacify the excessive vata dosha and thus improve the overall body condition.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules once or twice daily, after meals.

4. Amalaki Rasayan

Amalaki rasayan prepared by planet ayurveda contains natural extract of amalaki (Embellica officinalis). The regular use of amalaki rasayan helps to boost vision and eye health. It is also a very rich source of vitamin – c and hence, promotes the healing power of the body.

Dosage: 1-2 Capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that, the stargardt disease being termed incurable in modern medicine, can be managed well with the use of ayurvedic herbal formulations. By balancing the vitiated dosha in the body, one can always stay on the healthier side. Following a healthy lifestyle and diet can help to keep the diseases at bay. As described earlier, the above mentioned ayurvedic formulations can help to manage the condition of stargardt disease effectively.