Remedies for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is not just one disease; rather is is a group of different diseases that cause damage to optic nerve within the eye. The damage occurs as the result of increased pressure within the eyes. The damage caused by glaucoma may result in poor vision or eventually even blindness. Types of glaucoma include low-tension glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma. Glaucoma may affect one or both eyes.

Medications

• Prescription eyedrops or pills may be used to treat glaucoma. More than one type of eyedrop or medication may be combined to treat glaucoma. Some medications may treat glaucoma by helping the eye drain fluid more efficiently. Other medications may treat glaucoma by decreasing the amount of fluid manufactured by the eye. Several medication options are available and some require multiple dosages each day.

Laser Trabeculoplasty

• Laser trabeculoplasty is a medical procedure that helps to drain excess fluid out of the eye. This procedure may only eliminate excess pressure temporarily; thus, medications are often still required. Only one eye will be treated at a time with this procedure and sometimes the procedure will need to be repeated when pressure builds up again.

Surgical Intervention

• Surgery may be utilized to create a new drainage system for the eye. This remedy is usually only performed after medications and laser trabeculoplasties have failed to reduce and control the pressure in the eye. According to the National Eye Institute, surgery is only effective in about 60 to 80 percent of glaucoma cases. Sometimes the surgery may have to be repeated. Vision may be slightly damaged by the surgery. The surgery may also cause cataracts, eye inflammation, eye infection or cornea problems.

Other Remedies

• Regular exercise can help to reduce eye pressure. Also, drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day can lower eye pressure.

  Some individuals have used herbal supplements such as bilberry to treat glaucoma; however, the Mayo Clinic asserts that research has not shown herbal remedies to be effective in treating glaucoma.