How to Treat Glaucoma With Alternative Remedies

Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by raised fluid pressure on the eye, affecting the optic nerve. You may suffer from either of two types of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common one and symptoms, such as blurred vision, seeing "halos" and headaches may not even be experienced until the onset of vision loss. Closed-angle glaucoma, considered to be an emergency condition, is more severe and may be characterized by extremely debilitating headaches, pupils that become fixed, a loss of peripheral vision, nausea and vomiting. It is important to get your eyes checked on a yearly basis, in order to catch glaucoma in its earliest stages. Your ophthalmologist may recommend options, including surgery. If you are in the early stages of the disease, however, you may want to try some alternative remedies to help ease your condition.

Things You'll Need

• Vitamin C
• Punarnava
• Bilberry
• Rutin
• Fennel tea

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Instructions

• 1

  Lower your eye's fluid pressure by taking 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C on a daily basis. Consult your doctor before taking vitamin C supplements if you are pregnant, taking beta-blockers, cancer medications, diuretics, nitrates, antibiotics, or warfarin or are on an aspirin regimen. Nursing mothers should not take vitamin C, without a doctor's advice.

• 2

  Take an Ayurdevic approach to easing your glaucoma symptoms. Add 1 tsp. of punarnava, an Indian herb, to a cup of hot water, strain it and sip the strained mixture to help gradually ease pressure on your eyes. Certain foods should not be eaten when you take Ayurdevic herbs, such as dairy products and caffeine, as they weaken the herb's effectiveness. Check with your doctor before taking punarnava, if you are on medications for diabetes, diuretics, anticoagulants or medications for heart disease. Pregnant and nursing women should not take this herb.

• 3

  Consider taking bilberry capsules. Bilberry is a sweet black berry common to parts of Europe and has long been used to help treat vision problems. Use the dosage, as directed by the product you choose. It is best to speak to your doctor before using bilberry, if you are pregnant or taking blood-thinning medications. Bilberry should be completely avoided if you are nursing.

• 4

  Think about using rutin supplements as a treatment option, since it helps to improve your eye tissue. Rutin is a bioflavonoid, which is a compound that comes from citrus fruit rinds, and has strong antioxidant properties. Follow the directions of the product you choose. If you experience chest pains, dizziness or a rash, it may indicate an allergy to rutin. Stop using it immediately and seek medical help, if your condition gets worse. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not take rutin. Anyone taking a prescription medication or being treated for a serious illness should consult with your doctor before taking rutin.

• 5

  Make warm fennel tea and put three drops in your affected eye, using an eye dropper. Do this three times every day to ease pressure and eyestrain.

• 6

  Stop smoking. This is a habit that exacerbates the symptoms of glaucoma. Get into a good program that can help you to break your smoking habit and put you on a much healthier path.