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Natural Ways to Lower Pressure in Eyes From Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness. Eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP), damages the optic nerve, and this can result in mild or severe vision loss. The Mayo Clinic suggests taking prescription eye drops but also using natural treatment methods to lower eye pressure.

  1. Exercise

    • While exercise is usually recommended as a great way to improve health, in some cases exercise can exacerbate your glaucoma. If you have open-angle glaucoma, any type of exercise can benefit the condition, but this is not the case with certain other forms of glaucoma. Consult your eye doctor before starting an exercise program, and find out which forms of exercise are appropriate for you.

    Take Antioxidants

    • Antioxidants are substances that eliminate free radicals, harmful substances that damage tissues and cells in the body. Vitamins C and E are popular antioxidants, and are recommended in the chapter "Glaucoma" in the "Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Seniors," published by the editors of Prevention Health Books for Seniors.

      The authors recommend a daily dose of 2,000mg of vitamin C and 800 IU of vitamin E. These vitamins help prevent damage to the optic nerve and other areas of the eyes and can help lower your eye pressure.

    Take Herbal Supplements

    • In addition to vitamins C and E, other recommended supplements include ginkgo biloba and bilberry. The "Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Seniors" reports that ginkgo is an excellent herb for people with glaucoma because it increases blood circulation, helping more nutrients reach the eyes.

      Bilberry is suggested in the article "Home Remedies for Glaucoma" on the "Homemade Medicine" website. According to the site, bilberry---a cousin to blueberries and huckleberries---strengthens the eyes by protecting their blood vessels.

      Other herbs may also be useful in treating IOP, so seek the advice of an experienced herbalist if this approach appeals to you.

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