| Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy The | | | | |
| retina is a layer of special light-sensitive | | | | Most complementary therapies, with the |
| cells that lines the back of the eye, and | | | | possible exception of musculoskeletal |
| functions like the film in a camera. The | | | | manipulation techniques, will help ease the |
| image lands on the retina, having been | | | | anxiety of any sudden onset poor vision such |
| focussed by the lens. Impulses are then sent | | | | as retinal detachment. Spiritual healing and |
| from cones and rods (special retinal cells), | | | | Reiki will both help the animal to harness |
| down the optic nerve to the area of the brain | | | | its own self-healing, improving the recovery |
| that processes images. | | | | rates from surgery, and even spontaneous |
| | | | recovery. Even where the illness ends in |
| A retinal detachment occurs if the layer of | | | | blindness, healing and meditation can help in |
| light-sensitive cells is pulled away from the | | | | the adjustment process. In addition, Bach |
| back of the eye. In animals, this problem | | | | Flower remedies can help when coping with |
| tends to present late in the illness, as a | | | | change and with panic, while crystals can |
| dog or cat cannot let us know that some of | | | | boost healing - I find blue lace agate |
| their vision is impaired. Retinal detachments | | | | helpful with eye problems. |
| tend to be picked up only when there is | | | | |
| significant visual loss, often affecting both | | | | For the best homeopathic and aromatic |
| eyes. | | | | treatments for a particular animal, you are |
| | | | best asking for the advice from a qualified |
| Once the layer of cells is no longer attached | | | | practitioner. Homeopathic practitioners look |
| to the back of the eye, its blood supply can | | | | at the environment and personality of the |
| no longer bring nutrients and oxygen to it. | | | | animal, and include this information when |
| This is why the retinal detachment tends to | | | | selecting a remedy to suit its situation. |
| progress, and will worsen if not treated. | | | | This is why a long consultation is needed to |
| | | | really get a good result. |
| Causes of Retinal Detachment: Trauma; | | | | |
| Inherited tendency; Congenital defects such | | | | With aromatics, the animal is offered several |
| as retinal dysplasia (seen in Labradors); | | | | essential oils to choose from, and observed |
| Infection; Hypertension; Mature cataracts; | | | | closely while it smells, licks its lips or |
| Post-operative - any eye surgery; Poisoning; | | | | turns away. The initial selection may be |
| Hyperviscosity syndromes. | | | | chosen on the basis of a combination of |
| | | | background knowledge (for example, that |
| The detached retina takes longer to perish in | | | | Neroli can help with separation from another |
| dogs than in cats. Success of treatment | | | | animal or human, and that peppermint can help |
| depends on how bad the damage is, and how | | | | with nerve damage) and kinesiology or |
| long it has been there. In some cases surgery | | | | dowsing, and then the animal demonstrates his |
| is just not feasible. | | | | or her preferred options from there. Animals |
| | | | frequently benefit from a number of different |
| Modern surgery involves the use of extreme | | | | aromatics, which the owner is encouraged to |
| cold or laser to stick parts of the retina | | | | offer daily, while a single remedy is often |
| back in position by producing scar tissue. | | | | chosen with homeopathy. |
| This then allows the blood supply to | | | | |
| re-establish. | | | | Summary: |
| | | | |
| It is essential that a vet sees any animal | | | | Retinal detachment is a rare problem in |
| with a suspected retinal detachment urgently. | | | | animals, but it is serious, and this article |
| Any additional treatment to that recommended | | | | covers the various options open to the owner |
| by your vet should be complementary rather | | | | in managing it, from the necessity to call a |
| than alternative. | | | | vet urgently, to the ability to complement |
| | | | veterinary care and surgery with other |
| Complementary therapies: | | | | modalities. |