Patients living with glaucoma may turn to alternative therapies such as marijuana drops, Ginkgo biloba and bilberry fruit extract supplements and acupuncture; however, evidence for these treatments is often weak or nonexistent.
Clinicians must understand how these techniques operate and be ready to inform patients about the lack of evidence supporting these practices.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative medical therapy practiced using needles to treat various diseases and conditions. It’s believed that needles stimulate chemical releases within the body that relieve pain while also speeding healing, making acupuncture an ideal method of treatment for treating eye conditions like glaucoma. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial with 45 patients diagnosed with glaucoma. Half were given acupuncture treatments while the others received placebo treatment over two weeks, with results showing that acupuncture significantly reduced intraocular pressure while increasing blood flow to their eyes.
As more and more patients use acupuncture as a form of alternative treatment for glaucoma, its popularity as an option continues to expand. However, it should be remembered that its efficacy has yet to be thoroughly researched – so before initiating any alternative therapies or treatments it is wise to consult your doctor first.
Homeopathy is another alternative medicine often employed to treat glaucoma. Proponents of homeopathy believe that symptoms represent your body’s attempt to ward off disease; substances which induce these symptoms could possibly help treat glaucoma as well. Unfortunately, evidence supporting its efficacy as an approach remains mixed.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses herbal medicines to restore balance between the body and eyes. By targeting the cause rather than just treating its symptoms, traditional Chinese medicine treats glaucoma holistically. By strengthening and improving optic nerve and other eye structures as well as improving IOP, this approach may supplement medical, laser or surgical therapies for treating it.
Acupuncture and dietary supplements have both been demonstrated to be effective at lowering IOP. One study by scientists demonstrated this by finding that acupuncture used with pilocarpine 1% eye drops significantly reduced IOP; they also discovered acupressure on specific points like BL1 and HX-EN7 could have an impactful reduction. Another research project discovered acupuncture increased ciliary muscle sensitivity to pilocarpine thus strengthening its effect – offering an alternative treatment without side effects like steroids dosing.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is an alternative therapy that uses very small doses of substances thought to produce healing benefits, including plants such as red onion, belladonna (death’s nightshade) or nettle; minerals (such as white arsenic); or animal matter such as crushed whole bees. Homeopathic products come in the form of drops, ointments, creams gels or tablets and some homeopathic physicians also employ “individualization,” tailoring treatments based on each patient’s unique signs and symptoms.
Homeopathy’s effectiveness is uncertain and inconsistent, as evidenced by an assessment by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council in 2015. A 2015 review concluded there was no reliable proof that homeopathy could help any particular health condition; its practice may be regulated in most countries; however, conventional medicines undergo more stringent review processes.
Patients living with glaucoma often seek alternative therapies, but it’s essential to remember that supplements or herbs alone cannot cure glaucoma. Treatment aims at lowering intraocular pressure and decreasing vision loss; the best glaucoma medication should always be prescribed by a healthcare provider, so follow-up with them regularly is key in making sure the correct doses are being taken.
Ophthalmologists typically accept patients using dietary supplements and herbal remedies, provided they inform the physician so they can monitor for any side effects or interactions. It’s wise to be wary of claims about natural solutions for glaucoma as these may not always be well-supported by research.
While complementary and alternative medicine therapies may offer relief for some glaucoma-related conditions, there are no known natural solutions that can treat or cure it. Regular visits to your eye doctor and taking the prescribed conventional medications for your condition are the only ways to mitigate glaucoma’s detrimental impact on vision loss.
Holistic Medicine
Holistic medicine, a relatively recent concept in medical circles, refers to an approach that integrates various ancient healing traditions. Holistic medicine emphasizes how physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing interrelate and emphasizes an individual’s innate healing capacity.
Holistic treatments include herbs, exercise, acupuncture, massage, homeopathy and meditation – among others. While holistic remedies should never replace traditional medical care, they may offer additional therapeutic approaches or supplements.
Holistic care may offer several advantages, including reduced risks of side effects and reduced pharmaceutical dependence; and lifestyle modifications may help facilitate healing. Before undertaking any glaucoma alternative therapies yourself, always consult your physician first.
Though many may feel intimidated by trying naturopathy or alternative therapies, it’s important to keep in mind that they aren’t guaranteed solutions for glaucoma. Most products haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration in terms of safety, efficacy or dosage recommendations; furthermore there can be confusion around holistic medicine by associating certain therapeutic modalities with holistic practices or discounting more conventional options in favor of alternative options.
Naturopathy and holistic medicine differ in that one uses natural remedies while the latter takes an integrative, mind-body-spirit approach to healing. Unfortunately, though, sometimes people perceive holistic as meaning skeptical when applied to traditional medical practice – but this is simply not accurate.
Holistic practitioners combine the best of both worlds. They incorporate conventional treatments and appreciate their importance, such as medicine. But holistic practitioners also acknowledge complementary and alternative therapies like herbs, diet, exercise, acupuncture prayer or homeopathy to enhance overall health and well-being – so an inclusive treatment plan must include them all.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances that play an essential role in human growth and development. You can find small amounts of these vitamins in natural foods like meat, vegetables and fruits; some varieties are water-soluble while others can be fat soluble. These nutrients are necessary for normal body functions but cannot be produced by the human body – therefore must be obtained through food sources. Vitamin A is one of the most vital for eye health as a key element for night vision as well as necessary color vision. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, pumpkins and spinach as well as fortified milk and eggs, with additional sources including citrus fruit, oranges, kiwifruit strawberries and broccoli as a rich source of Vitamin C antioxidant protection against UV light damage to corneas and lenses. Vitamin E selenium zinc copper are all vital to eye health for optimal vision health.
Studies have demonstrated that diet can play an integral part in helping prevent or slow progression of glaucoma, but it is wise to seek guidance from an eye care provider when using alternative treatments, as they may not be as effective at managing glaucoma as prescribed medications, potentially even being harmful in some instances.
Herbal remedies and nutritional supplements have been demonstrated to improve ocular blood flow and decrease intraocular pressure (IOP), such as Ginkgo biloba extract, bilberry fruit extract, L. barbarum, saffron, forskolin, baicalein, ginsenoside curcumin and resveratrol. Vitamin D also has been demonstrated to decrease IOP. When administered via 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment for glaucoma patients this has shown significant reduction in IOP.
Some herbs, like EGCG from green tea, have also been demonstrated to halt retinal ganglion cell loss in glaucoma. Studies have discovered that its phytochemicals possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic antiexcitotoxic properties which protect ganglion cells by halting production of matrix metallo-proteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Furthermore, studies have also indicated bilberry extract can decrease risk factors such as oxidative stress and inflammatory response while simultaneously increasing capillary perfusion.
