Complementary Treatments In Glaucoma

By Jason Wanner, DO

Maryland Eye Associates

. http://marylandeyeassociates.com

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Complementary Treatments In Glaucoma

Many patients are interested in complementary and or alternative treatment options for glaucoma. Some alternative theories have been tested scientifically with studies and others have not been studied.

Nutrition plays a large role in patient's health and well-being. It is unclear if there are any specific vitamins or nutritional factors that directly affect glaucoma. To date there is not any conclusive scientific evidence that support any specific vitamins or foods for the treatment of glaucoma.

In another eye disease, age related macular degeneration, we do have good scientific evidence from a large national study showing that AREDS (age related eye disease study) vitamins are beneficial in the disease.

Unfortunately, there have not been any successful studies with specific vitamins in the treatment of glaucoma. A healthy, well balanced diet is recommended for a patients overall health but not specifically for glaucoma.

Liquid intake is another area of glaucoma that has been researched. No liquid intake has been shown to benefit glaucoma. In fact studies have shown that drinking a quart of water over a short time (20 minutes) can significantly raise eye pressures in the short term in the majority of patients who have glaucoma. Patients without glaucoma were much less likely to have elevated eye pressures from drinking a quart of water. So for patients with glaucoma it is recommended not to drink large quantities of fluids in a short time.

Caffeine may play a negative role in eye pressures. Some studies have shown a rise in eye pressures with significant caffeine intake but other studies did not show a correlation between caffeine intake and elevated eye pressures. The recommendation based on these studies would be for patients with glaucoma to drink caffeine in moderation.

Physical exercise is a complementary treatment that has shown benefit in lowering eye pressures in glaucoma.

Several studies have supported exercise in the lowering of eye pressures. One study showed that moderate cardiovascular exercise of riding a stationary bike several times a week for several months lowered eye pressures. Another study showed that walking briskly several times a week also can help lower eye pressures.

So, moderate cardiovascular exercise of biking or brisk walking are complementary treatment options that can aide in the treatment of glaucoma. The exercise needs to be consistent and long term. Anyone interested in starting an exercise program should check with his or her primary care provider before starting.

Yoga and self-regulation techniques have been suggested as potential complementary treatment options for glaucoma. There have been multiple holistic and homeopathic treatments suggested in the treatment of glaucoma as well. To date we do not have good scientific studies to support these hypotheses.

Patients with glaucoma need to understand that certain yoga poses can cause a significant elevation in eye pressure. These are poses when the head is inverted. Patients with glaucoma who perform these poses should discuss this with their glaucoma specialist.

The treatment of glaucoma continues to evolve. We look forward to continued research and future complementary and alternative treatments for glaucoma that can benefit our patients. It is important to have good scientific studies to back up the benefits of any treatment option, both traditional or alternative.

We also look forward to ongoing research into treatments other then those that lower eye pressure that may be alternatives in the future treatment of glaucoma.