A review study on Ayurveda treatment protocol for diabetic retinopathy

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious hurdle seen in diabetic patients and major problem of visual impairment in developed nations. DR is essentially a microangiopathy affecting arterioles, venules, and capillaries of the retina. Recently, available treatments for DR have some obstacles; taking this into consideration best treatments from other streams are being searched. Materials and Methods: The present study is aimed to review research works carried out in Shalakya Department, Jamnagar. This study is planned to establish the effect of different Ayurvedic treatment protocols, viz., Panchakarma therapy like Nasya (use of medicated drugs through nostrils) and Virechana/Koshta Shodhana (therapeutic purgation) and ocular procedures (Netra Kriya Kalpa) like Takra Shirodhara (pouring of medicine-mixed buttermilk to the head) and Takra Shirolepa (application of buttermilk-mixed paste to the head) in DR. The numbers of patients in trials 1, 2, and 3 are 33, 46, and 100, respectively. Duration of treatment in trials 1 and 2 was 2 months and in trial 3 it was 3 months. Follow-up in all the trials was 1 month. Results: These treatment protocols were found to be significantly effective and safe. During the treatment and follow-up period, no any adverse drug reactions were reported. Conclusion: It can be said that selected intervention was found to be safe, having appreciative, effective, and helpful results for DR as a conventional treatment protocol and other choice of treatment for patients’ better quality of life.