| Your eyeball is filled with fluid (aqueous humor) | | | | fluid pressure in patients with glaucoma. A daily |
| under a certain amount of pressure, which helps | | | | dose as low as 2,000 mg may provide benefits, |
| the eye maintain its shape. The pressure can get | | | | but some studies report results only with |
| too high if the fluid builds up and can’t flow | | | | extremely high doses. |
| out of the eye. This condition is called glaucoma. If | | | | Taking supplements of bioflavonoids supports |
| not corrected, glaucoma can lead to pain, loss of | | | | normal collagen metabolism. The compounds of |
| vision, and blindness. Glaucoma affects about two | | | | special interest in this regard are the |
| million people in the United States, and another | | | | anthocyanidins, the blue-red pigments found in |
| twenty-five million have it but don’t know it | | | | berries. These substances enhance the effects of |
| yet. Plan on seeing your ophthalmologist for an | | | | vitamin C and improve the integrity of blood |
| annual eye exam that can detect glaucoma in its | | | | vessels. What’s more, they improve collagen |
| earliest stage. | | | | by preventing free-radical damage, by preventing |
| There are two kinds glaucoma. Acute glaucoma | | | | enzymes from breaking it down, and by linking |
| involves sudden increases in pressure, usually on | | | | with collagen fibers to make a sturdier structure. |
| one side only, causing severe throbbing pain and | | | | My choice for this purpose is bilberry extract, |
| blurred vision. Often the condition causes nausea | | | | although Ginkgo biloba extract also shows promise |
| and vomiting. Acute glaucoma is an emergency | | | | in relieving glaucoma. |
| requiring immediate medical treatment. Chronic (or | | | | Other nutrients may be valuable in support of eye |
| open-angle) glaucoma is more gradual; the | | | | health. Magnesium supplementation (600 to 900 |
| pressure builds up over the years. No symptoms | | | | mg daily) lowers pressure by blocking calcium, |
| may be apparent in the early stages, but there is | | | | which in turn causes arteries to relax. When the |
| a gradual loss of peripheral vision. If it goes | | | | blood vessels relax, fluids flow more normally in |
| untreated, blindness may result. This type of | | | | and out of the eye. Too, there appears to be a |
| glaucoma usually results from abnormalities in the | | | | strong association between glaucoma and |
| supportive tissues of the eye. These tissues are | | | | deficiency of chromium. Maintaining adequate |
| made from a protein called collagen. | | | | levels of chromium appears to help reduce |
| By tuning up, you can help regulate the pressure | | | | pressure and improve focusing power. The |
| in your eye. You can also provide your body the | | | | recommended daily dosage is 200 mcg.) Animal |
| materials it needs to build sturdy collagen. One | | | | studies also suggest that omega-3 oils may be |
| substance essential for collagen is vitamin C. The | | | | important for keeping pressure in the eye at |
| vitamin C also appears to play a role in lowering | | | | appropriate levels. |