GLAUCOMA

GLAUCOMA CAN BE A SILENT THIEF. Probably half the people who
have it develop no symptoms. Meanwhile, their vision is slowly being stolen by pressure that gradually damages the optic nerve in the eye. Others who have glaucoma experience blurred vision, loss of side vision, coloured rings or haloes around lights, or eye pain.
What's happening inside the eye' A liquid referred to as the aqueous humour flows around the parts of the eye, bringing them nourishment and carrying away wastes. If the fine vessels supplying this liquid deliver too much fluid or don't drain well enough, pressure builds up in the eye.
This pressure can damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. And such damage is irreversible, making early detection critical.
Glaucoma can occur because of trauma, tumours, diabetes, high blood pressure, heredity or use of corticosteroid eyedrops. If you have any type of disease involving the circulatory system, you might also be at risk for developing glaucoma. Luckily, opticians can measure pressure inside the eyes to detect early stages of glaucoma, although increased pressure doesn't always mean glaucoma exists.
There are three levels of treatment for glaucoma: drugs, laser therapy and surgery. Five different groups of drugs are used to treat glaucoma, each having a slightly different way of working. If drug treatment is ineffective, laser therapy or surgery is then used to reduce the pressure in the eye.

WHEN GLAUCOMA SYMPTOMS ARE AN EMERGENCY
Although most cases of glaucoma develop gradually, a rare type called 'acute closed-angle glaucoma' develops rapidly and requires immediate attention by a medical professional. If you have pain and redness in the eyes, hazy vision, nausea and vomiting, and headaches accompanied by a marked loss of vision, see a doctor immediately. This disorder can cause permanent loss of vision in two to five days if left untreated.

VITAMINS FOR YOUR EYES
Vitamin C has been shown to reduce pressure inside the eyes. If you are at risk for glaucoma, use either vitamin C supplements or herbs and foods that are high in vitamin C.
Other antioxidants may also help to prevent glaucoma, but little research has been done. If you're at risk for this thief of vision, it's worth making part of your routine a daily cup of antioxidant tea. Look for teas that contain rosemary, shepherd's purse or turmeric.
It's also a good idea to make sure you get a variety of antioxidants in your diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, especially the colourful ones.
Sources of Vitamin C
• Red, green and yellow peppers
• Citrus fruits
• Parsley
• Strawberry leaves and fruit
• Turmeric
Herbs High in Antioxidants
• Rosemary
• Shepherd's purse
• Turmeric

DRUG TREATMENT

Beta-Blocker Eye Drops
Timolol maleate (Timoptol), betaxolol hydrochloride (Betoptic). Function: decrease the amount of fluid made inside the eye. Side effects: tiredness, confusion, bronchial spasms similar to asthma (potentially life-threatening), stinging, burning, pain, itching.

 

Prostaglandins

Latanoprost (Xalatan). Function: reduces pressure in the eye by allowing more fluid to leave. Side effects: allergic skin reactions, muscle and joint pain, occasionally a change in eye colour, thickening of eyelashes.

Adrenergics

Apraclonidine (lopidine). Function: allows less fluid to enter the eye. Side effects: dry mouth, decreased blood pressure, tirednes, headache.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Acetazolamide (Diamox), dorzolamide (Trusopt). Function: decrease flow of sodium and water into the eye, thus decreasing pressure. Side effects: tiredness, weight loss, depression, anorexia, decreased sexual appetite, nausea, intestinal cramps, diarrhoea, heartburn, possibly kidney damage. These drugs have fewer side effects when used as eyedrops.

Miotics

Pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine, Ocusert). Function: allows more fluid to leave the eye. Side effects: constriction of the pupil, myopia (short-sightedness).

HERBAL REMEDIES

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Traditionally used for all problems concerning the eye, the fruits of this shrub contain anthocyanosides. These compounds can help prevent the breakdown of vitamin C, which in turn can reduce pressure inside the eye. Blueberries, cranberries and huckleberries also contain anthocyanosides. Typical dosage: 2 or 3 capsules or tablets standardised to 25 per cent anthocyanosides per day.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

An extract made from the leaves of this tree contains bioflavonoids called ginkgolides, which may be beneficial for glaucoma. Typical dosage: three capsules per day (containing at least 40 milligrams of extract standardised to 24 per cent flavone glycosides and 6 per cent ginkgolides).

A HERB TO AVOID

You may have heard about treating glaucoma with jaborandi (Pilocarpus spp.). This South American herb contains pilocarpine, a standard glaucoma drug. Although the drug was originally made from the plant, today pilocarpine is manufactured synthetically. This fact is not merely interesting trivia, however, because using the herb itself is not considered safe. An overdose can cause death due to fluid build-up in the lungs.