|
Welcome to Articles4today.com
Blog!
Articles » Disease & Illness >> View Article
|
 |
|
 |
| Alternative Glaucoma Treatments |
By:
Alex Ray |
|
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease which can result in vision loss and even blindness if not treated. It is incurable, but can be controlled with glaucoma medication such as a prescription ophthalmic solution (usually latanoprost drops). However, some glaucoma patients may hope to enhance the effect or reduce the use of their ophthalmic solutions with an alternative treatment.
Bear in mind that there are no FDA tested or approved alternative treatments for glaucoma, but here are a few that folklore, alternative medicine practitioners and glaucoma patients report are helpful:
1) Acupuncture – Participants in two separate studies reported an improvement in their vision after acupuncture, but the researchers could not detect any change in eye pressure of visual field.
2) Bilberry – Bilberry is an extract of the European blueberry that is considered an antioxidant health supplement for the eyes. There is some evidence that it improves night vision.
3) Chelation therapy – Can improve circulation and blood flow to the optic nerve. Recommended for those who have had a heart attack or stroke, or have cardiovascular disease.
3) Ginko biloba – Ginko biloba is an antioxidant herb that increases ocular blood flow and has been reported to increase visual fields in some glaucoma patients.
4) Exercise – One study showed that people with glaucoma who rode a stationary bike for forty minutes four times a week for three months decreased their eye pressure by an average 20%. Their eye pressure rose again if they stopped exercising for more than two weeks. Another study showed reductions in eye pressure in patients who walked briskly for the same forty minutes four times a week. Some specialists recommend jumping on a trampoline to get the fluid moving in your eye.
5) Herbs – Jabarandi is a medicinal herb widely used to treat glaucoma in the ancient Indian medicinal practice Ayurveda, and in Brazilian folk medicine. Another Ayurvedic glaucoma remedy is a tea made from the leaves of the Indian herb punarnava.
6) Homeopathy – A time honored medical system based on the principle that "like cures like". Practitioners treat disease by administering minute doses of a substance that would evoke the same disease symptoms if given to a healthy person in a larger dose. The herb jabarandi is often used in homeopathic medicines to treat glaucoma and other eye conditions.
5) Marijuana – It has been established that marijuana can produce a 20% drop in eye pressure, but the effect is not long lasting.
6) Microcurrent therapy – Low levels of electricity are said to improve blood flow and cellular activity, including blood flow to the eye.
7) Omega 3 oils – Found in flax seed and cold water fish, these healthy oils are believed to lower eye pressure.
8) Oxidative therapy – mixes ozone with the body's blood to improve circulation and stimulate cellular activity. Two Cuban studies showed improvement of the optic nerve and visual field.
9) Relaxation and biofeedback – This is a promising alternative therapy for glaucoma. Some open angle glaucoma patients have experienced changes in eye pressure after such self regulation sessions, but more study is needed.
10) Rutin – Rutin is a citrus bioflavonoid that is rich in Vitamin C, a vitamin thought to promote eye health.
11) Syntonic color light therapy – An older study looking at the effect of light on eye pressure demonstrated that looking at certain shades of green light lowers intraocular eye pressure. It is thought to work by balancing the autonomic nervous system.
12) Vitamins and minerals – Some of the vitamins known to support good eye health include antioxidants such as vitamins A, B1, B12, C and E. Recommended minerals include copper, selenium and zinc.
Drinking lots of water is also an important way to detoxify your body and help improve blood flow to the eye. Remember; always talk to your doctor or eye specialist before trying an alternative glaucoma treatment, or making any adjustments to your glaucoma medication.
Alex Ray is a regular contributor to the online glaucoma resource www.latanoprost.ca. She advises glaucoma patients to compare generic latanoprost and name brand Xalatan prices at the online Canadian pharmacy www.BigMountainDrugs.com. |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
