How to treat optic neuritis in ayurveda with herbal remedies

Abstract

Optic neuritis is a condition when there is an inflammation which damages the optic nerves (helps to transmit the impulses from eye to brain). It can flare up from the nerve disease or inflammation and infection that can lead to the temporary or permanent loss of eye vision, during eye movement there is a dull eye ache behind the eyes, and loss of colour vision. In this article we read about the cause, signs and symptoms, treatment and ayurvedic overview with some home remedies.

Introduction

As optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve it can lead to changes in the eye vision and hamper the quality of life. It occurs when the body’s immune system targets the covering of the optic nerve and damages the myelin. In the ancient text of ayurveda it is explained under the Dristhigata roga under the Sanimitta linganaasha. It is considered in the Aagantuja or Bahya roga that is siro abhitaapa (excessive heat in the head). Later on stage the optic neuritis can lead to multiple sclerosis so optic neuritis is an early indication for the multiple sclerosis.

Causes

As the exact cause is unknown. When the immune system of the body accidentally damages the covering of the optic nerve, it results in inflammation and damage to myelin.

Optic neuritis commonly co exits with the following autoimmune disease

1. Neuromyelitis optica
2. Multiple sclerosis
3. MOG- Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disorder

Other associated causes

1. Drugs and toxins- such as Ethambutol, methanol
2. Infections- Bacterial infections such as Lyme disease, viruses such as measles, mumps
3. Other disease- Such as sarcoidosis
4. Vitamin B12 deficiency
5. Diabetes

Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors are there which are contributing to optic neuritis. They are-

1. Genetic mutation
2. Between the 20 to 40 of age
3. Womens are more affected than the
4. More in white people

Types Of Optic Neuritis

There are three types of optic neuritis that includes Papillitis, Neuroretinitis, and Retrobulbar neuritis.

1. Papillitis – It involves the optic disc. It occurs in 35% of cases and there is hyperemia and edema of the optic disc and cell are seen in posterior vitreous.


2. Neuroretinitis-It involves the optic disc and the surrounding retina in the macular area. There is a characteristic feature present that is the star pattern of exudates on the macula.


3. Retrobulbar neuritis- It involves the optic nerve behind the eyeball. It occurs in 65% of cases. There is a normal appearance of the optic disc and is associated with the demyelinating diseases, viral diseases, vasculitis disease, and granulomatous diseases.

Symptoms

1. Dull pain behind the eye
2. Vision loss- Temporary or Permanent
3. Flashing light with the eye movement
4. Visual field loss- central or peripheral
5. Loss of colour vision
6. Impaired eye movements
7. Decrease in dark adaptation

Diagnosis

If you find any abnormalities related to vision go for an Ophthalmologic examination. An Opthalmoscope can be used to find out any abnormality in the eye. The following tests are done to rule out optic neuritis.

1. Testing of colour vision
2. Eye examinations- to check out the visual field and visual activity
3. Lumbar puncture- To rule out the multiple sclerosis
4. Magnetic resonance imagining
5. Visual evoked potential tests- to find out the any abnormalities in the visual pathways
6. Blood tests
7. Ocular coherence tomography (OCT)- to check out the posterior part of the eyes

Treatment

1. Intravenous corticosteroids
2. Symptomatic treatment

Complications

As the disease not treat it will lead to the following complications

1. Damage to the optic nerve
2. Reduction in the visual activity
3. Low immune due to steroids
4. Optic atrophy

Home Remedies For Optic Neuritis

1. Intake of soybean milk- add one teaspoon of honey with the soybean milk. It is helpful as soybean milk has healing properties in it.
2. Drink the mixture of carrot and spinach juices
3. Consume Yoghurt- As it helps to produce the essential vitamins of the body
4. Consume the Pineapple juice

Ayurvedic Aspect For Optic Neuritis

In ayurveda, optic neuritis is correlated with the Sanimitta linganaasha which is explained in the Drishtigata roga (vision disorders). It is considered in the Aagantuja or Bahya roga that is due to siro abhitaapa (excessive heat in the head).

Sanimitta linganaasha

बाह्यौ पुनर्द्वाविह सम्प्रदिष्टौ निमित्ततश्चाप्यनिमित्ततश्च ।

निमित्ततस्तत्र शिरोभितापाज्ज्ञेयस्त्वभिष्यन्दनिदर्शनैश्च ॥

Reference – (Su.ut. 7/42)

It is a type of Aagantuja or Bahya roga that is siro abhitaapa (excessive heat in the head) and also finds the symptoms of Abishyand (conjunctivitis).

Ayurvedic Treatment

1. Shodhana chikitsa (purificatory procedures)
1. Basti – Raj yapana basti (a type of enema)
2. Shiramokshana
2. Shamana chikitsa (palliative treatment)
1. Snehan (Oleation therapy) with the purana ghrita (old medicated ghee)
2. Swedana (sweat bath therapy)
3. Kriyakalpa (ocular therapies)

Herbal Remedies For Optic Neuritis By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is GMP certified and all the products are made of natural herbs and do not have any side effects to the body. All the products are made under the guidance of an M.D. ayurveda experts and all products are devoid of chemicals, preservatives, yeast, binders. These all herbs are explained in the ancient text of ayurveda. Planet Ayurveda provides herbal formulations for the optic neuritis.

Product list

1. Gotu Kola Capsules
2. Neurogenie Capsules
3. Amalaki Rasayan
4. Bilberry Capsules
5. Angel Eye Vitale

Product Description

1. Gotu Kola Capsules

The Gotu kola capsules are made of standardised extraction of Centella asiatica (Gotu kola). The extracts help to prevent the visual impairment as it increases the production of rhodopsin in the retina. As Gotu kola leaf and roots helps to maintain a healthy neurotransmitter function and also has a rejuvenative nervous property that helps in balancing the nervous system.

Dosage – 2 capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals

2. Neurogenie Capsules

Neurogenie capsules are made up of a combination of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi). Ashwagandha shows the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce the eye pain and also damage the unstable molecules, free radicals that help to protect the eyes. Brahmi helps to strengthen the optic nerve and provides clear vision. It contains powerful antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation.

Dosage – 2 capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals

3. Amalaki Rasayan

Amalaki rasayan capsules are made up of standardised extract of Embilica officinalis (Amalaki). Amalaki is a good source of vitamin c and contains powerful antioxidants that help in the immune modulation. It helps to fight against the free radicals and improve eyesight. It helps to reduce the inflammation and helps to strengthen the ocular muscles.

Dosage – 2 capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals

4. Bilberry Capsules

Bilberry capsules are made up of single herb Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry). As anthocyanosides present in this they appear to help protect the retina of the eye. Additionally it is also given in the cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. It also contains the flavonoids that help in eye vision by increasing the rhodopsin pigment in the eye.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily

5. Angel Eye Vitale

Angel eye vitale capsules are made up of a combination of various herbs Eclipta alba (Bhringraj), Centella asiatica (Gotu kola), and Emblica officinalis (Amla). Bhringraj is a good tonic which helps to improve eyesight. Amalaki helps to strengthen the nerve muscle and damage the free radicals which helps to improve eye vision. Gotu kola has a rejuvenative nervine property that helps in balancing the nervous system.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily

Conclusion

As we see in this article, optic neuritis causes the inflammation of the optic nerve that impairs the healthy functioning of life. In modern science there is only intravenous corticosteroids as the treatment. Planet ayurveda provides an herbal formulation for optic neuritis to improve your quality of life. The herbal formulations are GOTU KOLA CAPSULES, NEUROGENIE CAPSULES, AMALAKI RASAYAN, BILBERRY CAPSULES, and ANGEL EYE VITALE.