FAQ & Glaucoma
What supplements
may help?
Clinically, we find that medications or
surgery are most often needed with these types of problems. However the professional
literature is beginning to indicate that certain
supplements may help.
These include:
-Alpha-Lipoic Acid-
"R" isomer
(150 mg per day)
Filina AA, Davydova NG, Endrikhovskii SN, et al. Lipoic acid as a means of
metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma. Vestn Oftalmol 1995;111:6–8.
In a study of open angle glaucoma
patients who received 150mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid each day,
45-47% of the eyes had enhancement of color visual fields and visual sensitivity
when compared to controls using only topical medical therapy. More
advanced cases had an even better response compared to their controls.
-Vitamin C (at least 2000 mg per day)
Boyd HH. Eye pressure lowering effect of vitamin C. J Orthomolec Med
1995;10:165–8.
-Magnesium (250
mg per day)
Gaspar AZ, Gasser P, Flammer J. The influence of magnesium on visual field and
peripheral vasospasm in glaucoma. Ophthalmologica 1995;209:11–3.
Patients suffering from open angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma
who were given magnesium twice daily showed improvement of the visual field and
reduced peripheral vasospasms (which can cause glaucoma, stroke and heart
attack) after four weeks of treatment.
-Ginkgo biloba (40 mg three times a day)
Quaranta L, Bettelli S, Uva MG, et al. Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on
preexisting visual field damage in normal tension glaucoma. Ophthalmology
2003;110:359–62.
-Vitamin B12
-Lutein
-Zeaxanthin
-Pycnogenol (from grape seed extract or pine bark
-Studies
in healthy humans, including at least one double-blind trial, have repeatedly
shown that intraocular pressure is lowered by direct application of forskolin, a
constituent of the
Ayurvedic herb
Coleus forskohlii. Until ophthalmic preparations of coleus or
forskolin are available, people with glaucoma should consult with a skilled
healthcare practitioner to obtain a sterile fluid extract for use in the eyes.
Direct application of the whole herb to the eyes has not been studied and is not
advised.
Caprioli J, Sears M. Forskolin lowers intraocular pressure in rabbits,
monkeys and man. Lancet 1983;i:958–60.
Badian
M, Dabrowski J, Grigoleit HG, et al. Effect of forskolin eyedrops on intraocular
pressure in healthy males. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 1984;185:522–6 [in
German].
-Dan
shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a traditional Chinese herb, used either
alone or combined with other Chinese herbs for 30 days was reported to improve
vision in people with glaucoma. However,
the herb was administered by muscular injection, a preparation that is not
readily available in North America or Great Britain. It
is not known whether oral use of the herb would have the same effect.
Zhen-zoung W, You-qin, Su-mo Y, Ming-ti X. Radix Salviae
miltiorrhizae in middle and late stage glaucoma. Chin Med J
1983;96:445–7.
Where are these
supplements available?
Most supplements can be obtained locally,
such as Whole Foods or Lassens Foods. Excellent whole body formulas
include OcuPower,
MaxiVision
and
Optic Nerve Formula.
A nice comparison chart of the various commercially available combination
formulas can be found here.
Regular juicing (1-3 pints per day) can also be a natural way to obtain many of the nutrients that may help. Spinach, broccoli, tomato, dandelion root, beet including top, carrots, apple, and blueberry can be very beneficial.
Can I still have LASIK
refractive surgery if I have glaucoma?
Glaucoma is usually a disqualifier for
LASIK.
Why should
glaucoma be treated if it cannot be cured?
Untreated glaucoma can eventually lead to
blindness.
Among Caucasians,
what groups have higher rates of glaucoma?
Groups at higher risk include people with
Scandinavian, Irish and Russian backgrounds.
Does glaucoma
tend to be associated with any disease?
Besides diabetes, high nearsightedness
and previous ocular surgery, glaucoma tends to be associated with diseases that
are treated with oral or inhaled steroids, particularly high doses for prolonged
periods. These can include lupus, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and certain
cancers.
Can
high blood pressure lead to glaucoma?
There's been a lot of debate about
whether high blood pressure increases the risk of glaucoma. However, no definite
conclusion can be drawn at this time.
In addition, glaucoma isn't one disease but rather a group of diseases that
cause damage to your optic nerve. In most cases, this damage is the result of
increased pressure within your eye. As the optic nerve deteriorates, you
gradually lose the ability to see to the side (peripheral vision). In time, your
central vision may begin to decrease as well. If glaucoma isn't treated, it
eventually may lead to blindness.
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not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are not
approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
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