Management of Early-Onset Non-Exudative (Dry) Age-Related Macular Degeneration Through Ayurvedic Shodhana and Kriyakalpa: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the retina. While typically a geriatric condition, early-onset ARMD (before age 50) is an emerging clinical concern with limited therapeutic interventions in conventional medicine for the non-exudative (dry) form.
Methods: A 43-year-old male diagnosed with dry ARMD presented with painless, gradual diminution of vision in both eyes. The condition was diagnosed as Pitta Vidagdha Drishti based on Ayurvedic clinical features. Management followed an integrated Ayurvedic protocol comprising Shodhana (systemic purification via Nasya and Matra Basti), Shamana (internal medicine), and Kriyakalpa (targeted ocular therapies including Akshi Tarpana and Anjana).
Results: Post-treatment Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) demonstrated a significant reduction in drusen count (from 4 to 1 in the left eye) and stabilized retinal thickness. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) improved from 6/24 to 6/12 in the left eye.
Conclusion: Ayurvedic management effectively addresses both the functional and structural aspects of early-onset dry ARMD, providing a promising non-invasive strategy for retinal preservation.