Complementary Therapy for the Treatment of Glaucoma by Robert Ritch
by Robert Ritch, MD
From the Departments of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY, and The New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Supported in part by the Joseph and Marilyn Rosen Research Fund of the New York Glaucoma Research Institute
Corresponding author: Robert Ritch, MD, Glaucoma Associates of New York, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, 310 East 14th Street suite 304, New York, NY, 10003
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by a specific pattern of optic nerve head and visual field damage. Damage to the visual system in glaucoma is due to the death of the retinal ganglion cells, the axons of which comprise the optic nerve and carry the visual impulses from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma represents a final common pathway resulting from a number of different conditions that can affect the eye, many of which are associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It is important to realize that elevated IOP is not synonymous with glaucoma, but rather is the most important risk factor we know of for the development and/or progression of glaucomatous damage.
Leading Medical Specialists From Around the World Coalesce Around Self-Tonometry
Leading Medical Specialists Support Self-Monitoring of Eye Pressure by Glaucoma Patients;
Self-tonometry has Potential to Transform Glaucoma Treatment, Says Co-Author of Recent Journal Article
Growing recognition among leading ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists of an alternative option for measuring pressure in the eye may offer new hope for four million Americans – and millions more people worldwide – who risk permanent blindness, says a co-author of a recent article in the Survey of Ophthalmology.
Panic attacks, adrenal exhaustion, eye pressure and consciousness
Low blood pressure can be a problem for glaucoma patients because it results in insufficient blood supply to the optic nerve.
A lot of glaucoma patients suffer from anxiety, stress, panic attacks and other similar issues. Those issues lead to adrenal fatigue and adrenal exhaustion. And adrenal fatigue/exhaustion can lead to low blood pressure (hypotension).
Eating eggplant reduces eye pressure
Eggplant has some interesting properties, including reducing intraocular pressure and ... reducing cholesterol!
http://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Health_Lifestyle/Health_Diet/Garden_Egg_a...
I found several articles by researchers in Nigeria that describe eggplant's effects. What we call eggplant, they call garden egg ... same vegetable, though.
For the past several months I have increased my consumption of eggplant but I don't measure my intraocular pressure as many of you here do. I wonder if someone might want to try a plate of eggplant for lunch and then measure your IOP and report back to the rest of us.
I suspect that the effect lasts 3-4 hours, but perhaps longer??? I take three different eyedrops: two in the morning, one in mid-afternoon, and three at bedtime. I figured that eating the eggplant at lunchtime would possibly fill the gap at that time of day, but perhaps dinnertime would be best since IOP rises during the night for most of us. Having actual measurement results would be useful.
Richelle
EDIT:
See the abstract here: Effects of Solanum melongena (garden egg) on some visual functio
Also, be sure to see this comment: Some News: My Eye Pressure Results After Eating Eggplant
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CSF pressure as it relates to IOP
About a year or so ago, there was a research finding that I think is most interesting: cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) pressure was found to be inversely related to IOP. I can't imagine how one would change CSF pressure, and it might be a bad thing to do so. But I have wondered if CSF pressure changes when an epidural or other spinal is administered pre-surgery, and if there is a change (ie. a drop in CSF pressure) and if so, if the lower CSF change would remain afterwards along with higher IOP? I cannot find anything about CSF/IOP and administration of an epidural. Does anyone have any information? Thanks.
Richelle
Metabolic syndrome increases risk for high-ocular tension
Feb 19, 2010
MedWire News: Presence of the metabolic syndrome increases the risk for high-ocular tension (HOT), a major cause of primary open angle glaucoma, report researchers.
Previous research has shown that mean intra-ocular pressure (IOP) has a tendency to increase in a linear fashion in the presence of increasing numbers of metabolic syndrome components.
fiteyes computer screen
On our discussion list someone mentioned problems when whatching the fluorescent lamp light. I went further into that direction when I discovered that such lamps are behind almost every LCD screen. Interesting article is here: The Effects of Fluorescent Light on the Ocular Health of Persons with Pre-Existing Eye Pathologies
Effect of Sleeping in a Head-Up Position on Intraocular Pressure in Patients with Glaucoma
I am reading this study now. I like the fact that they did investigate ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) while monitoring the intraocular pressure (IOP) during this study, and that they checked IOP in the sleeping position (rather than sitting the patient up). So, with a quick glance, the methodology looks acceptable to me.
Purpose: To determine whether a 30-degree head-up sleeping position decreases nocturnal intraocular pressure (IOP) compared with lying flat in patients with glaucoma.
Design: Prospective, nonrandomized comparative case series.
Participants: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with glaucoma with controlled IOP and new disc hemorrhage.
Glaucoma is a disease of the central nervous system NOT the eye
According to new research, the early stages of glaucoma are not centralized in the eye or retina BUT the brain. Therefore the current emphasis on IOP tonometry may not be as relevant in the management of this disease as was presumed because the focus of intervention is on the brain itself which will lead to new treatments aimed towards specific parts of the brain rather than the eye!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301151919.htm
N-acetylcarnosine for cataract and/or glaucoma ???
Has anyone tried Can-C eye drops (N-acetylcarnosine, or NAC) for cataract, and, if so, did it help? The Russian scientist who developed the drops also hints that NAC is also beneficial for glaucoma (results not yet published), and I read one testimonial claim that floaters went away along with the cataract. Dr. Ritch discusses NAC in his complementary medicine article, and provides footnotes for the Russian research. ???
Richelle
Intraocular Pressure in a Spiritual Context
Recently here on FitEyes, readers have asked about the relationship between intraocular pressure about meditation. That prompted me to write this post about some of the broader spiritual aspects of what I do as well as how I view intraocular pressure in my own life and in my work as a Serene Impulse teacher.
Meditation and spirituality are often perceived as soft, delicate, wishy-washy, "New Agie", etc. My own approach is hard-core and scientific. It is also great fun. The path is filled with bliss and love -- and lots of IOP data!
Buy A Tonometer Through FitEyes.com
For those of you who have been thinking about joining our self-tonometry program and purchasing a tonometer, I want to let you know that we can help you purchase your tonometer. This is done through an exclusive arrangement supported by a glaucoma patient who has been a benefactor to the FitEyes community from the earliest days. His company has arranged for our self-tonometry group to receive large discounts on tonometers (through an exclusive arrangement with a top tonometer manufacturer).
Intraocular Pressure and Transcendental Meditation
Can you please tell me why TM is not good for Glaucoma.
Dianne
Dave's Theory About Intraocular Pressure
I just wish I could say one way or the other whether these practices affect my intraocular pressure.
And I also wish we knew if your theory is correct: that as a person continues to do TaiChi and/or EFT, their intraocular pressure settles down.
Mary
Are air puff tonometers only for initial diagnosis or early warning?
i was always under the impression that the "puff air"
type tonometers were OK for initial diagnosis/early
warning indicators but
that real, true, accurate readings required
the contact tonometers
Research article re: Green Tea helping Glaucoma
Interesting new study showing benefits of drinking green tea. So if it works for lab rats, will it work for us?
Sun Gazing
Excerpt from the following website: http://solarhealing.com/process/
Safe Sungazing Practice
Sungazing is practiced once in your lifetime -- usually for a period of 9 months. You can break up the practice in three phases: 0 to 3months, 3-6months and 6- 9months. You have to walk barefoot for 45 minutes for the rest of your life. ...
allergies trigger glaucoma?
It's common knowledge that steroids (eg, Flonase) taken for allergies can present a problem for those predisposed to glaucoma.
But... I'm wondering if the allergy itself (the immune system response, and/or the inflammatory reaction) could tend to cause (or worsen) glaucoma? This URL (http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-1022006.htm ) is the best I could find, but it cites quite old studies:
