Mechanism Indications Contraindications Our advantages Prices Reviews
Hirudotherapy is an effective method of treating many diseases with the use of medical leeches. Although leech therapy has been known even in ancient Greek medicine, in our time, this method is a progressive trend in medicine. Hirudotherapy is approved by the Ministry of health of Russia.
Only one type of leeches (medical leech, hirudo medicinalis) is used for the procedure, specially grown for these purposes. Initially, these leeches are "sterile" and can't bring into the body any infection. Each leech is used only once, so during a session of hirudotherapy the possibility of contracting infections transmitted through blood (such as HIV, hepatitis, etc.) is excluded.
Mechanism
Leech therapy has a comprehensive positive impact on the organism, the main components of which are the reflexive, mechanical and biological actions.
The reflexive exposure of medical leeches can be compared to acupuncture: a leech clings to the skin not anywhere, but in certain biologically active points (which it defines itself).
The biological impact is realized by injection into the bloodstream together with a medical leech saliva a huge number (over 100) of biologically active substances: enzymes, hormones, vitamins, amino acids, etc. Due to presence of special substance hirudin in the saliva of the leech which has a marked anticoagulant effect, hirudotherapy is an extremely effective method of preventing vascular thrombosis, strokes and heart attacks.
The mechanical effect is achieved by unloading the regional blood flow during filling of the leech with blood.
Indications in ophthalmology
The area of hirudotherapy use is extremely extensive. Widely this method of treatment is applied in ophthalmology as a part of effective program of complex treatment of many eye diseases.
1. In the complex treatment of glaucoma, including the removal of an acute attack and after antiglaucomatous operations.
Hirudotherapy helps to normalize the intraocular pressure, reduces pain in eyes, improves blood circulation and hydrodynamics of eyes, which in turn positively affects the recovery process of visual functions in patients with glaucoma (an extension of visual fields, increased visual acuity).
2. In inflammatory eye diseases – uveitis, iridotsiklitah, keratitis, chorioretinitis.
Just a few sessions of hirudotherapy can relieve the symptoms of swelling and acute inflammation of eye tissues, after which the effect of medical treatment is greatly enhanced. The use of medical leeches at iridocyclitis not only accelerates the healing process, but also helps to avoid the occurrence of synechias, reduces intraocular pressure, accelerates the resorption of hypopyon (congestion of purulence in the anterior chamber of the eye). In patients with uveitis hirudotherapy helps to avoid the formation of coarse strands in the vitreous body, which subsequently can cause tractional retinal detachment. The application of therapy sessions with medical leech from the first days of treatment in patients with chorioretinitis contributes to the rapid regression of symptoms and restoration of visual functions.
3. In the treatment of acute obstruction of the retinal vessels and optic nerve.
Hirudotherapy is used both as emergency and planned treatment of these pathologies.
4. In the complex treatment of retrobulbar neuritis.
Regardless the cause of the inflammation of the optic nerve, while using hirudotherapy is observed a decrease of pain, improvement of vision, expansion of visual fields, reduce of the blind spot size.
5. After various surgeries on the eyes.
The use of medicinal leeches allows to quickly normalize the intraocular pressure in case of its temporary increase in patients undergoing cataract surgery or laser intervention. The method is effective in treatment of bruises and swelling.
6. Scarring of the eye tissues after burns.
Biologically active substances contained in the saliva of the medical leech, contribute to the efficient resorption of scars and reducing them in size, and have a pronounced analgesic effect.
7. Hemorrhage in the eye tissues (hemophthalmus, subretinal hemorrhage).
The use of medical leeches enhances the effect of medication treatment, contributes to rapid resorption of hemorrhages and reduces the period of treatment.
8. Retinal dystrophy, epithelial-endothelial dystrophy of the cornea.
Contraindications
Leech therapy is a safe treatment method with few contraindications. These include: severe blood clotting problems (hemophilia), persistent hypotension (decreased blood pressure), idiosyncrasy. During pregnancy hirudotherapy can be used only when having strict indications, and the number of sessions and their duration is usually minimized.
The benefits of hirudotherapy in Moscow Eye Clinic
Leech therapy is an extremely effective method of treatment used in ophthalmology. Our specialists have extensive practical experience in the application of this treatment method. We use hirudotherapy as an independent method of treatment and a component of complex therapy of different eye diseases.
All the leeches used in medical procedures, undergo medical control and are applicable only once, after the procedure the leech is utilized. The probability of getting infection during a session is absolutely impossible.
The number of leeches per session and duration of treatment are determined individually and does not affect its final cost. The duration of the treatment course is individually determined by the specialist, taking into account the severity of the pathological symptoms and disease.
The positive effect of hirudotherapy is observed not only during the procedure, but for some time afterwards. This reduces the period of treatment and recovery, as well as the amount of applied drugs.
Price
The cost of one session of hirudotherapy in our clinic is 3000 rubles. The number of leeches per session (1 to 5) and duration of treatment is determined individually and does not affect its final cost. The individual approach and taking into account the severity of the pathological symptoms and disease, helps to achieve the most pronounced therapeutic effect.
Reviews
Nataliya Lapina (68 years old, retired)
I went through a course of hirudotherapy in Moscow Eye Clinic in order to eliminate the hemorrhage of the retina, which occured due to poor retinal vessels and high pressure.
During two weeks my vision almost recovered and, what is very important, my blood pressure returned to normal. At first I was very cautious and fastidious about this procedure, but there was nopain or discomfort. My sincere thanks to all the staff of the clinic for their sensitivity. God bless you.
You can ask our experts any questions you have by phone in Moscow: 8 (800) 777-38 81 and (499) 322-36-36 (daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm) or online by using appropriate form on the website.
