Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospitals Introduce Specialized Diabetic Retinopathy Screening, Prevention and Treatment Program

Trivandrum, India, August 23, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is damage to the retina which can affect 80% of all patients who have diabetes for more than 10 years (as per evidence based eye care by Kertes PJ, Johnson TM ISBN 0-7817-6964-7). The longer a person has diabetes, the higher is his chance of developing DR according to Dr Caroline MacEwen, consultant ophthalmologist, at Ninewells Hospital and Medical school, Dundee (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/diabeticretinopathy.htm),

This is where Ayurveda has a role to play in Diabetic Retinopathy. Currently, all treatments for DR are based after a diabetic patient has been detected with Diabetic Retinopathy. i.e., all that a diabetic patient can do currently is to keep checking his eyes for signs of DR, and when it happens, take treatment.

Ayurveda, with its vast array of treatment procedures and internal medicines can step in as a boon for Diabetic patients who are looking for an alternative solution to the above problem. Ayurveda offers comprehensive and holistic solutions to Diabetic patients, who are under the high risk category for the incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy. The hospital is introducing a two week preventive treatment programme for DR high risk category of patients, which aims at strengthening the visual organ, thereby making it healthier and hence preventing / delaying the onset of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Ayurveda Classifies Diabetic Retinopathy into three distinct stages - Stage -1, Stage -2 and stage-3. After a diabetic patient has been detected with DR, he is grouped under one of the three stages. According to Dr P K Santhakumari, MD(Ay), Chief Physician of Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospitals, a Stage-1 DR patient coming for Ayurvedic treatment has got a high chance of getting the disease treated. But a Stage -2 DR patient only has the chance of arresting the degeneration of his vision. The lost vision may or may not be gotten back, depending on clinical condition of the patient. A Stage-3 DR patient normally comes for Ayurvedic treatment after he has tried all other modes of treatment. At this stage, his only hope is to "Prevent Blindness", which can be achieved only if the patient arrives for treatment before he crosses a particular clinical stage.

The specialized diabetic retinopathy screening, prevention and treatment programme would combine various treatment procedures, internal medications, advice on diet, food habits, exercises, and various other factors along with inpatient treatment once in a year with comprehensive monitoring of the patients throughout the year at regular intervals. The Program would be available at both branches of the hospital from 1st September 2012.