GLAUCOMA

About Glaucoma

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

• Eat a generally healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. 

• Eat berries every day, especially bilberries and 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 - Glaucoma

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below:

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 should be done under medical supervision and advice.  

• 5,000 to 10,000mg Vitamin C in divided doses (more than this only with medical supervision)

• Bilberry Ginkgo Eyebright + Lutein (Solgar)

• Advanced Proanthocyanidin (Solgar)

• Multivitamin and mineral (e.g. VM75 Solgar)

• Vitamin B Complex

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