Glaucoma refers to certain eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Most, but not all, of these diseases typically produce elevated pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). Normal IOP is measured in millimeters of mercury and can range from 10-21 mm Hg. An elevated IOP is the most important risk factor for the development of glaucoma.   

 

It is essential to control ones IOP if glaucoma is present.  Your IOP number is measured with a simple puff of air on your eye when you go to your eye doctor.  I recommend for my patients under 30 to get an eye exam once every two years and for all patients over the chronological age of 30 then annual exams are my recommendation.

 

In “angle-closure glaucoma”, the normal drainage canals within the eye are physically blocked.

In “open-angle glaucoma”, the drainage system remains open. Open-angle glaucoma also may cause vision damage without symptoms.

 

The challenge and risk with glaucoma is that it can be symptom free until significant damage has occurred.  It is this reason that it is essential to see if your eye pressure is creeping up to a risky level; since during this process unless it occurs all of a sudden it can be a “silent risk factor for blindness”. Sometimes, but not always, the following symptoms can occur and if they do, you must immediately within the same day get checked out.  Lost time can equate to lost vision.

 

Worse and Most Noticed Symptoms occur in ACUTE CLOSED ANGLE

Blurred vision, halos around lights, severe eye pain, headache and even abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting can occur.

 

 

It is vitally important that anyone with glaucoma has their eye pressures and overall eye health monitored closely by their personal eye specialist every 6 months or more often. Controlling eye pressure is an important part of glaucoma treatment, and also nourishing the eye in general.

 

Natural Solutions for Adjunctive Therapy

Working closely with ones eye health specialist is vitally important. 

Among some of the natural approaches that can be incorporated into a comprehensive and integrated medical approach include:

Food-based Multi-Vitamin for Women – protects against nutrient deficiency.

Food-based Multi-Vitamin for Men – protects against nutrient deficiency.

 

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