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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).
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.
Intraocular Pressure and Transcendental Meditation
Can you please tell me why TM is not good for Glaucoma.
Dianne
Glaucoma eye drops and depression
I am using eyedrops: timolol maleate and pilocarpine. After a week on both, I'm feeling uncharacteristically low and negative. Both list depression as side effects. I'm wondering what experience others have had re: eyedrops and depression. Know any remedies? I hope, I'll be off these two in a couple of weeks! They also blur my vision.
JudyPat4
Thanks for this site!
I am 50 years old from India and diagnosed with IOP of 30. Thanks for this site. Looking actually for alternative treatment like acupuncture and ayurveda.
One doctor said it was blepharitis another said it was allergic reaction to gluacoma drops
Where can we find your "exact method of using eye drops" ?
Sleeping position alters intraocular pressure
How we sleep can raise or lower IOP
Patients with glaucoma often ask what they can do to favorably impact their disease. These patients are eager to engage in beneficial activities and to avoid detrimental activities to save their optic nerve from glaucoma. Unfortunately, most of glaucoma’s known risk factors are not modifiable—such as age, race, and family history. In glaucoma management, there is little credible data supporting any role of nutritional supplements, avoidance of certain exposures such as caffeine or smoking, or alternative interventions such as acupuncture. Doctors’ standard answer is usually to encourage patients to continue using their medications as prescribed and to keep their follow-up appointments faithfully.
Some new research presented at the May 2009 annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., suggests that there may be a new modifiable risk factor within the patient’s ability to control: sleeping position.
Read more: http://www.eyeworld.org/article-sleeping-position-alters-intraocular-pressure
Caveat: this article ignores ocular perfusion pressure. It is quite possible that the conclusions discussed in this article are incorrect. Sleeping with the head elevated may reduce IOP but it may also reduce blood flow to the optic nerve (and brain) and thereby reduce ocular perfusion pressure. It is quite possible that sleeping with the head elevated may do a glaucoma patient more harm than good. But read the article for one perspective.
What are the best nutritional supplements for treating glaucoma?
What are the best supplements For Treating Glaucoma, or for general Eye health?? I have had glaucoma since 2001, and since last year i have had to increase My Trusopts drops from 2 to 3 per day. I'm very frustrated about this. can You suggest any vitamins that are specifically for Glaucoma or For general eye health? Is there any known reversal for OPTIC NERVE DAMMAGE? Thank you very much for your help. Sincerely John
SLT
Greetings
Has anyone had the SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty)?
If so, would you like to share your experiences and impressions?
As I understand it, the operation is quick, very safe, repeatable, and effective. It appears to be a huge improvement over the trabeculectomy (trab). Of course, there is no such thing as a "surgical free lunch"; in addition to ridiculously large financial costs, there are invariably side effects, at least potentially. However, there are problems, as well, with the various medications.
All comments would be greatly appreciated, including any information about cost (I am self insured).
Intraocular Pressure: It's the data, stupid
The following post is adapted from "A Deluge of Data Shapes a New Era in Computing" By JOHN MARKOFF, published: December 14, 2009 in The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/science/15books.html?_r=1&pagewanted=p...
Top computer scientists say we have entered the age of data-intensive scientific discovery. Dr. Gray, who was a database software pioneer and a Microsoft researcher, called the shift a “fourth paradigm.” The first three paradigms were experimental, theoretical and, more recently, computational science.
normal/low pressure glaucoma
I am 51 with no family history of glaucoma and, despite a trabeculectomy and drops, my vision continues to deteriorate even though my IOP is low. It's quite terrifying and I find it hard to talk about to my friends. i would like to hear from others about how they coped with this.
A New Holistic Perspective on Glaucoma & Ocular Hypertension
A New Holistic Perspective on Glaucoma & Ocular Hypertension
by
Travatan Z makes my vision cloudy
Travatan Z makes my vision so cloudy that I can hardly see. Cloudy is not really the word for it: it's more like the kind of vision you'd get from a combination of cataracts and a migraine headache.. What experience have others had with it?
JudyPat
What would you do?
I have been reading the FitEyes posts for a long time now—hoping that I could get some ideas of how to preserve my vision in my only good eye. Here is a little of my history. I was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1989. I can’t even remember what the pressures were at that time because I had no frame of reference. All I know is that about four years later I had ALT laser to both eyes, and the doctor was gratified that he was able to get the pressure down to 18. It didn’t last, but it was an initial victory. Other than the short time after the laser, my pressures ran around 30 in both eyes. I have thick corneas, so I was protected I guess. My visual field tests were always normal and the optic nerve looked healthy in both
Turmeric offers effective neurprotection - may be important in glaucoma to prevent optic nerve damage
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in the optic nerve in glaucoma. Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress and are therefore considered important in neuroprotection strategies. Turmeric has been shown to be an effective antioxidant. For background info about oxidative stress and glaucoma, see this article: Glaucoma, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: An Attempt to Unify Recent News
Is there a specialist that will allow me to self monitor my eye pressure?
Hi,
I emailed you awhile ago about self-tonometry and am again interested after reading these messages here on FitEyes.com.
I have mixed gluacoma: some optic nerve cupping on both eyes. My doctor keeps recommending surgery in my left eye, but I do not want to go with that option yet.
Is there a specialist you know of in [my city] that will allow me to self monitor my eye pressure?
Self-tonometry in glaucoma management--past, present and future
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Diagnosis and management of glaucoma is significantly associated with intraocular pressure, but contemporary office-based measurements are not sufficient to discover diurnal changes and spikes, nor do they demonstrate the effect of medication and compliance. Patient-directed self-tonometry can be taken throughout the day and is therefore the subject of much discussion and research. In this article we review the history of self-tonometry devices and present technologies for the future.
Surv Ophthalmol. 2009 Jul-Aug;54(4):450-62.
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Liang SY, Lee GA, Shields D.
City Eye Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
