Glaucoma

Ideally, doctors look at patients in a holistic manner, rather than just a collection of symptoms. At Natural Eye Care, when we talk to glaucoma patients, we are concerned about more than their intraocular pressure measurements.  We want to talk about diet, lifestyle habits, and stress levels.  We want to get an idea of the whole person, and understand their overall health. Learn more about these complementary approaches to glaucoma management.

An article appearing at the site EyeWorld by Tony Realini, M.D. describes how many eye doctors take an “event-based approach” to managing glaucoma patients’ care.  Though he posits that there is still validity in this approach, he points out that it does not help determine the rate of progression of an individual’s condition.
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A nutritional supplement comprised of a patented blend of bilberry and pine bark is marketed as Mitrogenol.  A study published in Clinical Opthamology describes a study of 79 people with raised eye pressure levels.  The intraocular pressure (IOP) of participants who took Mitrogenol decreased by 24%.  Those who took the pharmaceutical eye drop Latanoprost experienced a 28% drop in IOP.  A third group that took a combination of both remedies watched their levels go down by 40%

Researchers found that taking these products together helped lower IOP and resulted in better retinal blood flow.  It is noted that Latanoprost has been noted to cause dry eyes, eye color changes, and eyelid irritation.
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The antioxidants found in beverages and foods that contain caffeine seem to protect people against the development of Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.

In a study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B researchers describe how coffee can be on the greatest sources of antioxidants in the modern diet.  Scientists do not know exactly how coffee helps to fight the free radicals that can be destructive to eye health and overall health.  At this point, they are speculating that caffeine is the agent responsible for coffee antioxidant properties.
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Glaucoma’s progress can be slowed as the result of taking the antioxidants vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine.

A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science describes how reducing or reversing oxidation within the eyes may lead to the healing of the trabecular meshwork or outflow pathway in glaucoma patients.  As the name suggests, antioxidants (like vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine, which is found in eggs) combat the natural process of oxidization.

According to the study, the free radicals that result from the oxidation process lead to the destruction of the trabecular meshwork, which can lead to increased ocular pressure and glaucoma.  (Issue: 49:1447-58, 2008)
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In addition to significantly compromising vision, glaucoma is a disease that also takes an emotional toll, according to a new study in the April issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.

This study of 24 Chinese individuals with glaucoma showed that there are many fears associated with the disease including concerns about blindness and how the condition may effect other family members.  Many who were on medication, such as eye drops, were found to be self-administering them incorrectly.
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A genetic glitch may be responsible for incidents of cataracts in children.

According to a press release from Maine’s Jackson Laboratory, researchers have found that RNA granules, which are key components in the reproduction of genes, might be linked to eye development.  Problems with RNA granules can result in juvenile cataracts and glaucoma.  If there is a problem with a key gene, Tdrd7, the development of the lens of the eye will be compromised, leading to these potentially blinding conditions.
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