| Glaucoma is one of those hereditary diseases that | | | | [glaucoma.org - Alternative Medicine]. Some forms |
| we can do nothing about. Or can we? How can I | | | | of glaucoma such as closed-angle do not respond |
| get my eye pressure down without drugs? Its a | | | | to exercise, in other forms such as pigmentary |
| simple question. Unfortunately, there is no clear | | | | glaucoma may increase eye pressure temporarily. |
| and simple answer. There is much discussion | | | | It is advisable to consult with your physician |
| around on this subject and as is usual the | | | | before changing your exercise routine. |
| specialists cannot agree. There are a few things | | | | I have been plagued with glaucoma for several |
| that you can do, that do have an effect in | | | | years and I have to take eye drops everyday to |
| reducing your eye pressure. | | | | keep it under control. As a result of my being |
| Caffeine is known to have an effect on the | | | | overweight I have taken to jogging to combat |
| intraocular eye pressure (IOP), even if this is a | | | | my weight problem. A small side effect of this |
| small increase it would be worthwhile to reduce | | | | increase in exercise is that it may be beneficial in |
| your caffeine intact or eliminate it all together. | | | | controlling my high eye pressure. |
| Large consumption of caffeine and glaucoma | | | | Ginkgo biloba may be of benefit for acute |
| really do not mix! | | | | open-angle glaucoma to improve visual field but |
| A quart of water consumed in a short period | | | | this has been questioned in some quarters. Ginko |
| does have a short term effect in raising pressure | | | | biloba does have a beneficial effect on ocular |
| in the eye. Does this have any long-term effect? | | | | blood flow, and Bilberry is reported to improve |
| Many dietitians recommend drinking 8 glasses of | | | | optic nerve health. It is questionable as to |
| water a day. If you suffer from high eye | | | | whether either of these herbal remedies have |
| pressure then it may be wise to reduce this | | | | any real benefit in combating glaucoma. |
| intake, and drink small amounts throughout the | | | | I have now considered changing my brand of tea |
| day. Every option needs to be considered to | | | | to a caffeine free option or green tea. At the end |
| control high eye pressure. | | | | of the day I want to keep my visual field in as |
| Moderate aerobic exercise has been proven to be | | | | good condition as possible. Don't you? |
| beneficial in reducing eye pressure. It has been | | | | I hope when I next visit my hospital consultant he |
| found that walking briskly 4 times a week for 40 | | | | can report to me that my eye pressure has been |
| minutes were able to lower their IOP enough to | | | | markedly reduced. |
| eliminate the need for beta-blockers - | | | | |