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by Dr. Merrill J. Allen, Dr. Steven M. Beresford, Dr. Francis A. Young.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve and is usually accompanied by increased pressure inside the eye, known as the IOP (intraocular pressure). The increased IOP compresses the tissues at the head of the optic nerve and reduces the blood flow to the cells, causing them to die. Another type of glaucoma can result from poor blood flow to the optic nerve without increased IOP, also causing cell death.There are two main types of glaucoma: open angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma. If these are not treated they can lead to permanent damage of the optic nerve and severe vision loss including total blindness. According to the National Eye Institute, glaucoma affects more than 3 million Americans. UNDERSTANDING OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA
The most common type of glaucoma is known as open angle glaucoma. As its name implies, the space (angle) between the base of the iris and the cornea is open but there are blockages inside the tubes comprising the trabecular meshwork. These blockages impede the drainage of liquid from the eye, causing the IOP to increase. As mentioned above, not all open angle glaucoma is caused by elevated IOP. Damage to the optic nerve can occur in people with normal IOP and is known as normal tension glaucoma. The cause is not well understood but seems to have a genetic component and is often found in people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Most people with open angle glaucoma have no obvious symptoms or warning signs. If not diagnosed and treated, the optic nerve gradually dies, usually over a period of several years. At first there is loss of peripheral vision, which may not be noticed. As the glaucoma continues to get worse, the vision loss gradually moves in toward the center. In advanced cases the person ends up with tunnel vision and may eventually become completely blind. UNDERSTANDING CLOSED ANGLE GLAUCOMA Closed angle glaucoma, also called acute glaucoma, typically occurs in people with a narrow angle between the base of the iris and the cornea. In contrast to open angle glaucoma, which is usually caused by blocked tubes inside the trabecular meshwork, closed angle glaucoma is caused by the pupil dilating too much and blocking the entrance holes of the trabecular meshwork. This can cause a sudden, devastating increase in IOP. Acute glaucoma can be triggered by dim lighting, eye drops to dilate the pupil during an eye exam, various types of eye surgery, or certain medications. Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency and must be dealt with immediately otherwise damage to the optic nerve and severe vision loss can occur within a few hours. Symptoms include severe pain in the eyes often accompanied by nausea, redness of the eyes and blurred vision. If you experience these symptoms, you should go the nearest hospital without delay. While you are waiting for the doctor, you should stand or sit in front of a bright light with your eyes closed to constrict the pupil as much as possible. This may open up the entrance holes of the trabecular meshwork and reduce the pressure. Screening for glaucoma is usually part of a standard eye exam and involves measuring the IOP and examining the optic nerve to see if any damage has occurred. Many eye doctors also include a visual field test to determine if peripheral vision is normal. Glaucoma is highly correlated with myopia (nearsightedness) and presbyopia (aging eyes), so if you have either of these conditions glaucoma testing is especially important and should be done annually. At the present time, there is no simple cure for glaucoma. The primary method of treatment is with drugs, which lower the IOP and are usually administered as eye drops or pills. A wide range of drugs is available and when used consistently can stop glaucoma from progressing. The big problem is that many of the drugs have unpleasant side effects and staying with the schedule can be annoying and time consuming, so many patients don’t take their medication and the glaucoma continues to progress. When this happens, the second line of defense is surgery, which may include both laser and conventional surgery. A laser can create new drainage channels in the trabecular meshwork or through the iris. If this fails, conventional surgery is used to cut a drainage hole in the eye. Unfortunately, surgery doesn’t always offer a permanent solution because the holes tend to close up. In these cases, additional surgery may be required. THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA No studies have proven a connection between glaucoma and diet but it is reasonable to assume that what you eat and drink will have an effect on the disease, and may even be a primary cause of open angle glaucoma. Common sense dictates that if you have glaucoma, you should stick to a health conscious lifestyle. Eat healthy and avoid junk food. There is no evidence that homeopathic remedies or herbs such as bilberry are effective against glaucoma. In contrast, studies have shown that vigorous physical exercise at least three times a week can reduce IOP by an average of 20%. In one study, patients who walked briskly four times a week for 40 minutes were able to stop using their medication. These findings are important because they demonstrate the importance of good circulation throughout the entire body. We believe that these results can be improved by exercising the eyes. The Power Vision Program capitalizes on this effect by increasing the circulation of fluids throughout the entire eye region. A technique that we consider especially important is an eye exercise called Flashing. You sit in front of a bright light in a dark room with your eyes closed, then switch the light on and off in time to your breathing. As you inhale, switch it on. As you exhale, switch it off. Do this 30 minutes a day or even more. The purpose of the exercise is to make the iris expand and contract as it responds to the light. The goal is to stimulate the trabecular meshwork and flush out the blockages. The Power Vision Program provides a full range of techniques for treating glaucoma naturally and hopefully stabilizing or reversing the disease. |
The liquid that keeps the eyeball inflated enters the eye through the back of the ciliary muscle, flows around the inner lens and the iris, then leaves the eye by draining through a system of tubes between the base of the iris and the cornea known as the trabecular meshwork. 