Diabetic retinopathy: A critical review from ayurvedic prospective

Abstract

Ayurveda is renowned to be the best elixir of Life. It had a divine evolution from Lord Brahma and development through many ancient seers who were transcendental and in search of satisfactory solution for the suffering humanity.It is estimated that DM affects 4% population of the world. Nearly, all people of type 1D.M. (IDDM) and 75% of type 2 D.M. (NIDDM) will develop Diabetic Retinopathy after 15 years duration of D.M 18% will develop diabetic retinopathy in less than 15 years duration of D.M. India being the diabetic capital of the world (according to WHO) is feared to end up with an alarming 11.4 million of type 2 D.M. individuals developing diabetic retinopathy by 2025.About 20 years ago, diabetic retinopathy was 17th cause of blindness. Now it has become 6th cause of blindness. As far as the working class or industrial areas ae concerned diabetic retinopathy is 2nd leading cause of blindness in working age group (