Home remedies for Glaucoma will prevent its progression but will not be able to completely treat it in most cases. Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that harms the optic nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain.
If the optic nerve damages, you will lose your eyesight. With proper care and a disciplined lifestyle, you can save your eyes from the ill effects of glaucoma.
Glaucoma generally has no symptoms in most cases. Glaucoma begins with gradual vision loss which can lead to complete blindness if remains untreated. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide behind cataracts.
If you have glaucoma, that means the fluid pressure inside the affected eye rises damaging the optic nerve. This leads to gradual loss of peripheral vision. While looking straight your eyes can see a lot more on both sides than the actual object you are focusing in front of view. The visible area on the side progressively reduces but you are still clearly able to see your main object in front of you. That is why glaucoma remains undetected.
Types of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is generally divided in two major categories. Once is open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and narrow angle glaucoma. (NAG). The definition of drainage angle inside the eye that controls the outflow of the watery fluid (aqueous) that is continually being produced inside the eye is the same in both types of glaucoma.
- Open Angle Glaucoma: If the aqueous can access the drainage angle, the glaucoma is known as open angle glaucoma.
- Narrow Angle Glaucoma: If the drainage angle is blocked and the aqueous cannot reach it, the glaucoma is known as narrow angle glaucoma.
Within these two major types of glaucoma types there are sub categories. We will not get into too many details while discussing home remedies which apply to all types of glaucoma.
Though there are no symptoms in most types of glaucoma. Some glaucoma may exhibit symptoms blurry vision, halos around lights, intense eye pain and headache, nausea and vomiting and tunnel vision. These are early warning signs that can’t be ignored and immediate medical attention should be given to save your eyes from blindness.
In addition to above, Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms, Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects, Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare, Change in color of iris and Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids are also early warning signs of glaucoma.
Lifestyle Changes Required for Glaucoma
Your main objective here is to improve blood flow to the optic nerve to reduce your risk as well as to control the progression for glaucoma?
Higher levels of physical exercise appear to provide a long-term benefit of reducing the incidence of low ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) according to study done in the UK. OPP is a mathematical value that is calculated using a person's intraocular pressure and his or her blood pressure, and it is an important risk factor for glaucoma.
- Maintain an Active Lifestyle: Regular exercise may reduce eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma. If not sure what types of exercise to follow then talk to your doctor who will guide you on appropriate exercise program.
- Drink Fluids Properly: Drinking at least 10-12 glasses of water is a good practice for general health, but how you drink it is even more important for glaucoma control. Drink only moderate amounts of fluids at a time. Sip it slowly rather than gulping it rapidly. A glass of 200ml is just the right amount to drink at a time.
- Keep Head Elevated while Sleeping: Keeping your head elevated compared to the rest of the body will reduce intraocular eye pressure while you sleep. A wedge pillow that keeps your head about 20 degrees will do the job well.
- Avoid Caffeine. Caffeine increases intraocular eye pressure so avoid drinking coffee and all other beverages with large amounts of caffeine. If you have to drink it then limit the consumption.
Better Nutrition: Food Remedies for Glaucoma
Eating a healthy diet can prevent glaucoma from worsening by reducing eye pressure and it will help you maintain your health.
- Eat Omega 3 Rich Foods: Several vitamins and nutrients that are important to eye health are found in Omega3 rich foods such as dark, leafy greens and fish.
- Avoid Trans Fats: Trans fats interfere with omega-3 fats in your body, which are extremely important for your eye health. Trans fat also contributes to macular degeneration. Avoid many processed foods such as margarine, shortening, French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts, cookies, pastries and crackers.
- Eating Dark Colored Berries. Eat blueberry and bilberry which prevent and reverse macular degeneration. The bioflavonoids from these dark-colored berries including blueberries, cranberries and others work to strengthen the capillaries that carry nutrients to eye muscles and nerves. Eat these berries in moderation as they contain natural sugar which can upset your insulin levels.
- Avoid Sugar. It has been proved that insulin resistance causes diabetes, high blood pressure and high eye pressure. Avoid eating white breads, pasta, rice and potatoes.
- Eat Lutein and Zeaxanthin Rich Food. Both Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoid found in certain food items. These antioxidants protect cells from free radicals. All green leafy vegetables include kale, collard greens, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts are good sources of Lutein. Egg yolks contain both Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Lutein is an oil soluble nutrient, therefore you must eat it with some oil or butter to get the desired effect. You must consume raw egg yolk to get the benefit as cooked egg loses Zeaxanthin.
Doctors usually prescribe eye pressure reducing drops. These drops are essential to prevent glaucoma from worsening. It is very important to take these prescribed medicine on time. Do not become complacent and forget the discipline of regularly taking the medicine.
This is one of the most important lifestyle changes you must make to protect yourself from becoming blind due to glaucoma. Just develop a habit of taking the drops exactly as prescribed; otherwise, your optic nerve damage could get even worse.
Take care of your optic nerve to take care of your eyes.