Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause the loss of peripheral vision.  Because Glaucoma has no symptoms it may go unnoticed until it is too late to treat!  Even though you would expect to notice a loss of peripheral (side) vision, you usually do not!  This is because it is a gradual loss of sensitivity to light at first. Later as the loss progresses, you are still unaware of it as what you are blind to, your brain ignores.  Glaucoma usually is a slowly progressing disease, if untreated.  There is one type that is Acute and requires immediate care.  The acute form HAS symptoms.  In the acute form,  the vision becomes hazy like looking through smoke or steam,  there are halos around lights, the white of the eye often appears red and there may be a severe headache like pain. This Acute or Closed Angle glaucoma needs to be treated Immediately.  If Glaucoma is untreated it can cause total blindness.

The major types of glaucoma are:

  1. Open angle - Chronic Glaucoma - is the most common form of Glaucoma . This may be caused by a poor drainage of fluids in the eyes or by a weakened nerve structure.  30% or more of patients with open angle glaucoma have normal or low eye pressure.  Nevertheless they develop optic nerve damage and progressive vision loss without having high eye pressure.  A complimentary approach is a good choice for this condition.
  2. Narrow Angle Glaucoma is an emergency.  This is a complete blockage of the drainage of the eyes internal fluids.. The symptoms of red eye, vomiting, headache and visual halos should send you the doctor immediately .
  3. Low Pressure Glaucoma is usually a sign of  weak circulation. medication side effects,  brain tumors and heart disease (compromising circulation) can all produce optic nerve damage that may present as glaucoma.
  4. Secondary Glaucoma develops  can occur as a result of trauma to the eye,  medications (like steroids), and acute inflammations such as Iritis.
  5. Ocular Hypertension patients are patients who have elevated pressures (above average) and yet do not show nerve damage of vision loss.  These patients must be monitored regularly.  This condition responds well to the complimentary treatments we recommend.
  6. Juvenile Glaucoma is a defect at birth and must be identified early on.

Symptoms:

  1. Usually NONE (Except in the acute form)
  2. Loss of peripheral vision when approaching blindness (Terminal).

Causes:

  1. Glaucoma is currently believe to be the result of damage to the retina's nerves.  This is theorized to be caused by an increase in pressure of the fluids within the eye and by the nerves lack of tolerance to pressures in the eye (even normal ones).
  2. High level of stress - is very likely a significant cause of glaucoma. Just as stress causes high blood pressure and heart disease, via damage to the circulatory system, it damages circulation to the Optic Nerve.. This results in retinal nerve cell damage, loss of peripheral vision and visible damage to the Optic Nerve called "cupping.'
  3. Family History of Glaucoma - may provide a genetic or lifestyle cause.
  4. Dietary Deficiencies and Poor Digestion - will cause systemic problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease so expect that they will cause glaucoma too.  These deficiencies may be essential fatty acids, antioxidants, bioflavenoids, lutein, taurine, zeaxanthin,zinc, selenium, vitamin B-complex.
  5. Poor digestion often results from preservatives in food and antibiotics killing off important stomach flora. Also in many patients loss of stomach acids or the use of medications to prevent "heart burn"  and "gastric Reflux" cause poor food absorption.
  6. Since Glaucoma is usually part of a general health problem it may be linked to observable disease. It may be found in Obesity, cardiovascular disease,  diabetes,and thyroid disease.
  7. Patients of  African descent (Black)  are much more prone to vision loss from Glaucoma.
  8. Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness (higher level and a risk of angle closure)
  9. Steroid use, often in the form of eye drops, nose drops, inhalants or taken orally for conditions such as lupus.

Medications That Can Promote Glaucoma.

  1. All of the NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause vision damage.  Associated with the frequent use of these drug are:  retinal hemorrhages, cataracts and dry eyes. These drugs go by other names such as: aspirin, ibuprofen , ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, and naproxen . Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also cause problems
  2. Steroids - like predisone can cause Glaucoma,  Cataracts and much more.  If you have no other choice taking antioxidants may help protect your nerves.  In addition ask your physician if you can take a less potent and more natural form such as Cortisol  (used by Naturopaths) or hydrocortisone.
  3. Gastric antispasmodics
  4. Antihistamines
  5. Some Antidepressants

Allopathic Treatment (traditional medicine)

  1. There is no 100% successful treatment.  I pressures are usually lowered with drop and if this does not work laser surgery and other surgical procedures are considered.
  2. In severe cases a valve like structure can be implanted into the eye to keep pressures down.

 NOTE: Lowering eye pressure with eye drops CAN prevent further damage to vision. However optic nerve damage and vision loss does still continue in many cases.  The complimentary approach can significantly reduce your risk for continued  vision loss!

Complementary - HolisticTreatment:  (This approach is offered with the allopathic approach even before there is evidence of vision loss). The complimentary approach is to protect the nerve from damage and to normalize body functions to reduce the need for medications.  We do not wait for evidence of nerve damage.  When we know you have increased risk,  treatment begins.

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"CRITICAL" -  PRODUCTS ARE THOSE WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO GOOD RESULTS:

Critical: Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil  Surveys have shown that Inuit people, who consume large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, have a much lower incidence of some types of glaucoma than do Caucasians. In addition recent studies have demonstrated that rabbits that are given daily doses of cod liver oil have a lower incidence of glaucoma than rabbits that are not treated.  In humans it is shown to actually lower pressures in the eye sometimes as well as medications.  Recommended usage:  1 Teaspoon per day.

Critical: Co-enzyme Q-10  (or Ubiquinol if over age 50)  Studies show that this enzyme like substance empowers energy in the cells and likely prevents death of retinal ganglion cells,  which are essential to vision

Critical: Alpha Lipoic Acid   - Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a vitamin-like antioxidant, sometimes referred to as the “universal antioxidant” because it is soluble in both fat and water. ALA is manufactured in the body and is found in some foods, particularly liver and yeast.  Preliminary evidence indicates that 150 mg of alpha lipoic acid, taken daily for one month, improves visual function in people with glaucoma. Recommended usage:  150 mg daily.
Critical: Vitamin "C" - researchers have shown that vitamin C improves nitric oxide activity. Nitric oxide is needed for the dilation of blood vessels, potentially important in lowering blood pressure and preventing spasms of arteries in the heart that might otherwise lead to heart attacks. Vitamin C has reversed dysfunction of cells lining blood vessels. The normalization of the functioning of these cells may be linked to prevention of heart disease. Recommended dosage 500mg  twice dailly .

Critical: Resveritrol - Is a powerful antioxidant that has effects similar to vitamin "C"  as well as protective effects on nerve tissues.
Critical: Bioflavanoids (rutin) -  While they are not considered essential nutrients, some flavanoids support health by strengthening capillaries and other connective tissue, and some function as anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, and antiviral agents .  Recommended dosage 500mg twice daily.
Critical: B Complex - Source Naturals Coenymate B Complex Sublinguals.  The B complex vitamins help protect the nerves and restore natural function.  Recommended usage:  2 tablets daily.

Critical: Coleus Forskolli -  Coleus Forskohlii, Standardized, Gaia Herbs, 2 fl. oz./60 ml  Studies have shown coleus forskolii to be effective in helping lower intraocular pressure.  Recommended usage: Take 30-40 drops of extract in a small amount of warm water 3 times daily between meals. Shake well before using. Not to be used during pregnancy or lactation.  May react with medications. Not to be used with out consultation.

"HELPFUL"  PRODUCTS - ARE THOSE WHICH USUALLY ENHANCE THERAPY

Helpful: RejuVeinate:  From Physiologics, is a unique formula that combines the antioxidant vitamin C with the herbs horse chestnut, butcher's broom, bilberry, and the bioflavonoid hesperidin – all of which maximize vascular integrity.
Helpful:  Ginkgo biloba  -The medical benefits of Ginkgo biloba extract are attributed primarily to two groups of active constituents: the ginkgo flavone glycosides and the terpene lactones. Ginkgo flavone glycosides, which typically make up approximately 24% of the extract, are primarily responsible for GBE’s antioxidant activity and may mildly inhibit platelet aggregation (stickiness). These two actions may help GBE prevent circulatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, and support the brain and central nervous system. Recommended usage: 200 mg of GBE (standardized to contain 6% terpene lactones and 24% flavone glycosides

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