Glaucoma
is a serious eye disease and one of the leading causes of blindness.There are probably many causes for the development of glaucoma, but
diabetes, high blood pressure and errors of collagen metabolism, as well as
inadequate nutrition and stress are all related.
Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Glaucoma
The following is a nutrition guide for Glaucoma:
Eat a generally healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Eat berries every day, especially bilberries and to a lesser extent blueberries, which contain bioflavonoids which aid normal collagen metabolism and prevent further damage.
Rutin as found in buckwheat is also particularly helpful.
Vitamin C is crucial for collagen integrity and has been shown to lower inner eye pressure levels in many clinical studies.The dosage of Vitamin C needs to be established by your medical doctor, as some people will respond to as little as 2 grams per day while others will respond only to extremely high doses, e.g. 35 grams per day.Do not take these large amounts of vitamin C without the guidance of your medical doctor.
Food and chemical sensitivities and allergies need to be investigated also, as it is known that allergens can alter vascular permeability and vasospasm can result in the congestion and oedema characteristic of glaucoma.
Corticosteroids destroy collagen structures in the eye and induce glaucoma.
Important
Acute
glaucoma is a medical emergency. Go to the nearest accident and emergency
department immediately.Effective
therapy must be started within 12 to 48 hours or permanent loss of vision will
occur within three to five days.Typical
signs and symptoms of acute glaucoma include extreme pain, blurring of vision,
inflammation of the eye and a fixed, dilated pupil, nausea and vomiting.
Health Supplements
The following health supplements may be appropriate
(click on health supplement to go there)
The
following supplements are suggested for the treatment of chronic glaucoma, under
the supervision of a medical doctor, and for acute glaucoma to help prevent
worsening of the problem.Everything
to be done under medical supervision and advice.
When
the lens of the eye thickens, it looks cloudy and it becomes difficult to focus
and see properly.Causes include
ageing, diabetes, injury, steroid drug use, heavy metal poisoning and free
radical damage.
Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Cataracts
The following is a nutrition guide for cataracts:
Prevention is easier than cure.
Drink at least 1½ litres of spring or filtered water.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits, especially bilberries, and vegetables.
There is a strong link with cataract formation and sugar and dairy consumption, so avoid both of these.
Another link is with free radical damage, so avoid fried foods and hydrogenated vegetable oils.In the kitchen use only cold-pressed virgin olive oil for cooking.
