Clinical study on primary open-angle glaucoma with , and oral medication.

INTRODUCTION

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and third leading cause in India. The disease progresses even intraocular pressure (IOP) is well under control; hence, now modern medicine is looking for strategies that are neuroprotective in glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) management.

AIM

This study aimed to propound the concept of and diuretic therapies and also evaluate the neuroprotective and IOP-lowering effects of Ayurvedic line of management in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this randomized parallel-group trial, patients having POAG were randomized with equal probability to one of the two treatment groups. Participants were assessed on the basis of subjective parameters such as blurred vision, frequent changes of presbyopic glasses (FCPG), delayed dark adaptation (DDA), visual field defect (VFD) and headache; objective parameters such as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), IOP and optic nerve head changes and perimetry findings such as mean deviation (MD) and Glaucoma Hemifield Test. In Group A, after and , and with were done locally and and were given internally for 52 days along with modern antiglaucoma eye drop and in Group B, patients already taking antiglaucoma eye drop were kept under observation for 2 months.

RESULTS

Patients in Group A showed better results in blurred vision, FCPG, DDA, VFD, headache, BCVA, IOP and MD. Patients in Group B showed better results in blurred vision and FCPG. A comparison of both groups showed significant results in blurred vision, DDA, VFD, BCVA, IOP and MD.

CONCLUSION

The clinical study concludes that Ayurvedic treatment protocol along with antiglaucoma eye drop in Group A patients was found to be more effective in reducing the IOP and controlling the progression of GON along with modern anti-glaucoma eye drop. Early diagnosis and proper management can prevent, arrest, or delay progression of POAG.