glaucoma?

[Guest guest]

Went for my eye exam. Pressure was 24 in both eyes. Oddly enough my

husband's also was up when he went in the week before me. We are both

scheduled for rechecks next week. What sort of things would make the

pressure fluctuate? If it is glaucoma are there natural ways to deal with

it?

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

[Guest guest]

-

" ejackson " <ejackson

 

Monday, December 30, 2002 9:34 PM

glaucoma?

 

 

>

>

> Went for my eye exam. Pressure was 24 in both eyes. Oddly enough my

> husband's also was up when he went in the week before me. We are

both

> scheduled for rechecks next week. What sort of things would make

the

> pressure fluctuate? If it is glaucoma are there natural ways to

deal with

> it?

>

>

> Thanks,

>

>

 

See below.

 

Alobar

 

http://www.i-care.net/eyeresearch.html/#glaucoma

GLAUCOMA STUDIES

 

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1. 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. Filina, et al., Vestn

Oftalmol 1995 Oct-Dec;111(4):6-8

 

2. Pretreatment with alpha lipoic acid has been found to reduce

neuronal damage from excitotoxic damage from cyanide, glutamate and

iron ions, demonstrating a strong neuroprotective effect for this

substance in nerve tissue. It may be useful in treating glaucoma.

(Ed. Note: Recent evidence points to the importance of

neuroprotection against glutamate in glaucoma patients, with many

medications now heavily promoting this property!) J Cereb Blood Flow

Metab 1995 Jul;15(4):624-30 Altern Med Rev 1998 Aug;3(4):308-11

(Other ALA/Neuroprotective Studies)

 

3. The eyes of open angle glaucoma patients were found to have

significantly lower vitamin C levels, as well as higher levels of

lipic peroxidation byproducts compared to normals. Aleksidze, et al.

Oftalmol Zh 1989;(2):114-6

 

4. 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.

Gaspar, et al; Ophthalmologica 1995;209(1):11-3

 

5. Glaucoma patients treated with vitamin B12 for over 5 years

demonstrated better visual acuity and better overall control of their

disease. Glacome, 1992; Nippon Ganka Kiyo. 1965 Mar.; Oftalmol Zh.

1965; 20(6); Klin Oczna 1974 Nov;44(11):1183-7

 

6. Besides beta carotene, other carotenoids found in dark green

leafy vegetables appear to be much more essential to the health of

the eye. Several studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin

supplements may slow vision loss in glaucoma, and in some cases

improve eyesight. Science News, Volume 146.

 

7. Anthocyanosides, compounds found in the herb bilberry, were shown

to markedly improve vascular resistance of the capillary wall in the

ciliary body of the eye (the source of excess fluid production).

Boll. Ocul. 65 789-95, 1986

 

8. Chronic open angle glaucoma patients had a statistically

significant lower thiamine blood level than controls along with poor

absorption of that nutrient. Asregadoo, Ann Ophthalmol 1979

Jul;11(7):1095-1100

 

9. Lipoic acid may be useful in the treatment of glaucoma and may

help prevent ischemic optic nerve damage. Altern Med Rev 1998

Aug;3(4):308-11

 

10. The scientific literature supports recommending lipoic acid in

complex with vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 (pyridoxal phosphate), and

vitamin C to glaucoma patients. Filina, AA & Sporova, NA. Vestn

Oftalmol 1991 May-Jun;107(3):19-21

 

11. Vascular obstruction and hindrance of the blood flow and

impaired nutrition of neuronal tissue might be the primary causes of

glaucoma. Sonnsjo & Krakau, Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 1993

Aug;71(4):433-44

 

12. Ginkgo biloba is a potentially important agent in the treatment

of glaucoma. It improves central and peripheral blood flow, reduces

vasospasm, reduces serum viscosity, has antioxidant activity,

platelet activating factor inhibitory activity, and inhibits

apoptosis and excitotoxicity - all factors in preventing glaucoma

vision loss. (Ed. Note: magnesium also has been shown to decrease

peripheral vasospasms, improving blood flow and is neuroprotective,

as well.) Ritch R. Med Hypotheses 2000 Feb;54(2):221-35

 

13. The fatty acid DHA (abundant in fish oil), along with B Complex

and vitamin E were shown to be helpful in preventing or delaying

vision loss associated with glaucoma. Cellini M, et al., Acta

Ophthalmol Scand Suppl 1998;(227):41

 

14. Ginkgo biloba extract (40mg, three times daily), increased

diastolic blood flow by 23% in the ophthalmic artery in glaucoma

patients and may be helpful in protecting the optic nerve from

further damage and subsequent visual field loss. Chung HS, et al. J

Ocul Pharmacol Ther 1999 Jun;15(3):233-40 (Ed. Note: Ginkgo must be

used with caution by those taking Coumadin, as it may increase its

effect - possibly eliminating the need for it??)

 

15. Besides alpha lipoic acid, other nutrients which are

neuroprotective include vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, pycnogenol (from

grape seed extract or pine bark), and flavonoids. Kobayashi MS, et

al. Free Radic Res 2000 Feb;32(2):115-24