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Natural Help for Eye Pressure

Eye pressure is the measurement of the fluid in the eye. This fluid is called the aqueous humor and it bathes and protects the eye. If the fluid becomes elevated because of disease or trauma, vision loss may result. This elevated eye pressure is called glaucoma, a serious disease that is the second leading cause of blindness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Prescription drugs are needed to lower the eye pressure, but natural methods can also be used to lower the pressure even further.

  1. Take Vitamins

    • The best vitamins for lowering elevated eye pressure are vitamin C and vitamin E, both antioxidants. Vitamins C and E eliminate harmful materials, called free radicals, from the body. These free radicals can damage the optic nerve and reduce vision in people with glaucoma. The chapter "Glaucoma" in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Seniors" by The Editors of Prevention Health Books for Seniors suggests a daily dose of both vitamins E and C to improve eye health. Take 800 international units of vitamin E and 2000 mg of vitamin C.

    Take Herbs

    • "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Seniors" also states that taking ginkgo biloba is helpful for lowering eye pressures. This herb has many benefits, including increasing blood flow to the entire eye. Taken daily, the ginkgo may even help return lost vision. Another good herb for the eyes is bilberry. This herb strengthens the vascular system in the eyes, reports the article "Home Remedies for Glaucoma" on the Homemade Medicine Web site. This brings more blood to the eye areas. Bilberry also reduces elevated eye pressure.

    Exercise

    • Exercise can also lower eye pressure in some cases, reports the Mayo Clinic in its article "Glaucoma." Exercise increases blood flow to all areas of the body, including the eyes. Exercise also helps the body to relax so there is less stress. Stress can exacerbate many disorders, including elevated eye pressure. But exercise only helps with open-angle glaucoma. The Mayo Clinic reports that if you have other forms of glaucoma like wide-angle glaucoma, exercise could raise the eye pressure even more. It is crucial to know what kind of glaucoma you have before starting an exercise program. Check with your doctor first to make certain that exercise will help to lower your eye pressure.

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