Glaucoma is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness. To treat it successfully, intraocular pressure must be decreased using medical, laser or surgical means.
Though there is currently limited research supporting alternative therapies for managing glaucoma, some holistic approaches such as nutrition, exercise, meditation and biofeedback may offer additional support.
Prescription Eye Drops
Glaucoma is often treated using prescription eye drops. These medications work to decrease intraocular pressure by either increasing production of aqueous humor or improving its drainage through the trabecular meshwork, usually both processes occurring simultaneously.
Glaucoma eye drops are available over-the-counter, but prescription ones offer more targeted, longer-acting relief. Furthermore, prescription drops often come in larger bottles which can be distributed over a longer timeframe and thus saving money in terms of cost per use.
There is some evidence to support bilberry extract’s protective qualities against glaucoma; however, further study must be completed on this herbal remedy in order to verify these claims. Bilberry contains antioxidants known as flavonoids which may improve retinal ganglion cell profusion and provide natural neuroprotective functions; further investigation will need to be completed in this area of research.
Bilberry can also benefit overall eye health. Before using any herbal remedies to manage glaucoma, please consult with an eye doctor first.
Alternative medicines have been touted as promising glaucoma treatments, yet further research needs to be conducted on them in order to establish their efficacy. While certain herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba and bilberry have shown some promise as treatments, while marijuana has only shown results for 3-4 hours at lowering eye pressure but does not reduce overall rates of vision loss related to glaucoma.
Holistic medicine approaches such as diet, regular exercise and stress reduction can provide beneficial treatment for people living with glaucoma. Furthermore, such techniques may also help manage other serious medical conditions like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
An effective glaucoma support group can provide an ideal opportunity to meet other individuals living with the condition and share experiences, with groups typically available through hospitals and eye care centers. Group members can help a person select and utilize alternative therapies (for instance eye drops at appropriate dosage) in order to avoid side effects; some alternative therapies may even hasten recovery from acute angle-closure attacks of glaucoma. It’s vital that each person remains compliant with his or her prescribed medications so as to reduce risks while optimizing benefits.
Laser Treatment
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that damages the optic nerve, potentially leading to blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment with medication or surgery are effective ways of combatting this sight-robbing eye condition; non-surgical options can also make an impactful contribution toward maintaining quality of life and maintaining vision.
Eye drops are the primary alternative therapy for glaucoma. These drugs lower eye pressure by either decreasing how much fluid is produced by the eye or speeding up how fast it drains away, typically once daily. Most glaucoma patients take multiple types of medication in combination; such as prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and Tafluprost (Zioptan).
Laser treatment is increasingly being utilized as part of the late stage care for glaucoma patients. Laser procedures like selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) help improve fluid outflow while creating new drainage channels within the eye, providing less pain-inducing treatments than surgery would. These laser procedures can even be conducted in an office without much risk involved.
Researchers conducted a recent study which demonstrated the superior effectiveness of combining SLT with medication over medication alone for treating mild to moderate glaucoma patients. After conducting extensive testing with this population group, SLT plus medication treatments led to lower intraocular pressures than medication alone did, along with better visual acuity and decreased neuroinflammation.
Although herbal supplements may be advertised as treatments for glaucoma, research on their efficacy remains limited. Some glaucoma patients use them, though you should always seek medical advice prior to making decisions based on dietary supplements alone.
Bilberry extract may prove helpful as an eye supplement. This herb contains anthocyanins with antioxidative properties to combat eye oxidative stress and protect retinal ganglion cells against neurodegeneration.
Acupuncture has been proven to help reduce glaucoma pressure in some individuals; however, you should only seek this therapy from certified providers. Other alternative therapies that may help include meditation and deep breathing to decrease anxiety while increasing blood flow to your eyes which helps lower eye pressure. Marijuana should be avoided, however, since its high heart rate could disrupt other glaucoma treatments.
Lifestyle Changes
Although glaucoma is most frequently treated through medication, laser surgery, and surgery, lifestyle modifications may also help. Healthy diet, exercise routines, sleeping patterns and stress management all play a significant role in improving glaucoma outcomes; several of these changes have also been shown to support IOP stability and support treatment plans for this condition.
An expert glaucoma specialist can offer tailored recommendations to individuals to improve the way they sleep, exercise and handle stress to limit IOP fluctuations and keep blood pressure stable. Making these simple changes could make an incredible difference to patient wellbeing; these adjustments could even enhance compliance with their medication regimens.
Lifestyle changes that may help include eating a diet rich in dark leafy greens and limiting caffeine intake, while increasing nitrate intake may increase nitric oxide production that promotes aqueous humor outflow and lowers episcleral venous pressure. A recent analysis from Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study data demonstrated that people who consumed higher nitrate intakes had a significantly reduced risk of primary open-angle glaucoma.
Certain herbs and nutritional supplements have the potential to lower IOP, with studies finding bilberry and GBE protecting specific retinal nerve cells in animal models of glaucoma. More research needs to be conducted into their effectiveness and safety for humans.
Patients should never take herbal or dietary supplements without first consulting with their ophthalmologist; sometimes these supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of eye drops or other medications prescribed to them. Finally, those living with glaucoma should avoid strenuous exercise and activities such as yoga which involve placing their heads downward; such activities may temporarily increase intraocular pressure (IOP).
Surgery
Glaucoma is an umbrella term for several eye diseases which cause pressure to build up inside your eyes, damaging delicate parts at the back of your eyeball and leading to permanent vision loss and blindness. While no cure exists for glaucoma, you can take steps to either prevent or slow its progress.
Glaucoma treatment alternatives usually consist of prescription eye drops and oral medications. Eye drop medications help lower eye pressure by decreasing how much fluid your eye produces or increasing drainage rates – these drops include prostaglandin analogues, beta blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Oral medications for glaucoma also aim to decrease pressure by either decreasing production or improving drainage; such combination therapy could include using one with another.
Your doctor can also recommend laser treatments to improve fluid outflow or create new pathways for aqueous fluid to flow through the eye, helping reduce eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and help avoid surgery or eye drops in the future. These procedures typically occur in-office and can reduce eye pressure dramatically. They could potentially help you avoid surgery altogether and reduce eye drops usage too!
Neuroprotective therapy is another alternative approach to treating glaucoma that seeks to stop or slow the death and degeneration of retinal ganglion cells – nerves located behind your eyes that transmit visual information directly into the brain. Natural ingredients found in medicinal herbs like GBE and Bilberry may have this effect; however, strong evidence supporting its efficacy remains lacking.
If you are concerned about glaucoma, make an appointment at Albemarle Eye Center immediately. Our team can help provide effective glaucoma treatments and strategies that can protect your vision.
Regular eye exams can detect early-stage glaucoma and help protect you against its progression. Don’t delay; call now!
