How to Identify and Treat Glaucoma Naturally
Glaucoma is a medical condition of the eye
where the optic nerve becomes damaged, and worsens over time. The
build-up of pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure, is
the eye's inability to drain out the aqueous humor fluid properly. Optic
nerve damage can lead to loss of vision and permanent blindness within a
couple of years, if left untreated.
The two main types of the disease are
'open-angle glaucoma' and 'angle-closure glaucoma'. Open-angle glaucoma
is the most common of the pair. In the open-angle, the eye structures
appear normal, but the fluid doesn't flow properly through the drain of
the eyes, known as the trabecular meshwork.
The latter of the diseases, angle-closure
glaucoma, is categorized by poor drainage of the eye, due to the angle
between the iris and the cornea, which then becomes obstructed by the
iris and results in blurred vision.
There are numerous ways in which the eye disease may be treated. The
treatments are prescription eye drops for less severe problems,
microsurgery to thoroughly drain out the fluid of the eye, or through
various laser surgery procedures.
Editor's note - Please consult your physician if you are suffering from
any of the symptoms listed below, or if you have a history of glaucoma
in your family. It's important to have a complete eye exam to minimize
the risks at an early stage.
External Causes:
• Blockage of blood vessels in the eye
• Blunt injury to the eye
• Chemical damage to the eye
• Severe eye infection
• Inflammatory conditions of the eye (Uveitis)
Symptoms:
• Seeing halos around lights
• Vision loss
• Redness in the eye
• Sudden hazy or blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the eye
• Narrowing of vision (tunnel vision)
• Flashes of light or black spots
• Double vision
• Seeing spots, ghost-like images
People Most at Risk:
• Are over the age of 40
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• People of African ancestry
• Have poor vision
• Have thin corneas
• Have diabetes
• Have had trauma to the eye or eyes
• Take certain steroid medications, such as prednisone
7 Preventative Measures Against Glaucoma:
1) Healthy Diet - Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for preventing
diseases of all sorts. Green leafy vegetables are high in chlorophyll,
which is a vital component that improves vision and protects against
glaucoma. Make sure you add spinach, kale, beetroot, and carrots, to
your salad and dietary intake. The omega-3 fatty acids of cold water
fish are also beneficial for healthy eyesight.
2) Eye Exercises - You can practice from a
wide assortment of eye exercises to maintain optimal vision. Eye
exercises prevent strain and sharpen concentration. Here are a few
exercises you can perform at home:
The Pencil Exercise - Hold a pencil at arm’s length and focus on it,
slowly bring it closer to your nose. Move the pencil farther from your
eyes until you can no longer keep it in focus. Perform this exercise
about ten times a day.
The Eye Rolling Exercise - Roll your eyes in a clockwise direction for a
few seconds, and then counter-clockwise for a few seconds. Repeat the
process four or five times, and blink your eyes in between each set.
The Eye Blinking Exercise - Try blinking your eyes in quick spurts, 20
to 30 times without squeezing your eyes shut, which is known as eyelid
fluttering. Close your eyes and let them rest for a while after you are
done.
The Concentration Exercise - Focus your vision on a distant object for a
short period. Try staring at the moon outside for a few minutes to
avoid straining of the eyes.
3) Sunning and Palming - The Bates Method of sunning and palming, helps
flex and reactivate the lens of the eye. Here's how to perform each
technique:
The Sunning Process - Let the sun shine directly onto your closed
eyelids, while breathing in deeply. You can sun in the morning for a
couple of minutes.
The Palming Process - Rub your palms together to generate heat and then
gently cup them over your closed eyes without applying any pressure.
Keep your eyes covered so that no trace of light can enter.
4) Wild Asparagus - You might not have liked asparagus when you were
young, but you will certainly appreciate the benefits this spring
vegetable has for maintaining healthy vision. Eating a few sticks of
asparagus can help prevent eye disorders such as glaucoma and cataracts.
~ Here is an interesting recipe you can
prepare:
Mix 1 teaspoon of wild asparagus with 1/2 teaspoon of honey.
Consume twice daily with a glass of warm milk for a few months.
5) Ginkgo Biloba - The Chinese have relied on the Ginkgo Biloba for over
5,000 years to treat a variety of medical conditions. Ginkgo Biloba
affects ocular blood flow and protects the optic nerve from damages. It
is also used to improve memory, relieve stress and even help treat
Alzheimer's disease. Take 120-mg standardized capsules once a day, or in
two to three divided doses. Make sure you consult your doctor before
taking any Ginko Biloba capsules.
6) Bilberry - The powerful bilberry herb is ideal for treating night
blindness and protecting against macular degeneration of the eye. It
contains a chemical called anthocyanoside, which supplies the
bloodstream with anti-inflammatory properties. Eat 1/2 a cup of them per
day, or in supplement form as an alternative. Take 160 mg of bilberry
extract (with 25 percent anthocyanidin) twice daily, or several times
per week. Consult your doctor beforehand if you are planning to take the
herb in capsule form.