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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder:
GLAUCOMADescription: Glaucoma is a serious eye disease characterized by abnormally high intraocular pressure. If the pressure that the fluids within the eyeball exert on the other parts of the eye goes undetected and is not relieved, it damages the retina and ultimately destroys the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss and even total blindness.
There are two basic forms of glaucoma: Closed-angle glaucoma and chronic open-angle glaucoma. Closed-angle glaucoma is less common and accounts for about 10% of all cases of glaucoma. It is severe, and is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms of an acute attack come on very rapidly and include throbbing eye pain and loss of sight, especially peripheral vision; pupils that are fixed in a mildly dilated condition and do not respond to light properly; and a sharp increase in the pressure in the inner eye, especially on one side. The symptoms may be accompanied by nausea and even vomiting. Permanent vision damage can occur in as little as three to five days, making very early treatment imperative. The most common form of glaucoma, accounting for 90% of all cases, is chronic open-angle glaucoma.
Symptoms: Chronic open-angle glaucoma almost never produces any symptoms in the early stages. By the time it is detected, vision may be irreversibly damaged. The most pronounced symptoms of open-angle glaucoma are the loss of peripheral vision (the ability to see out of the corners of the eye), a marked decrease in night vision or the ability of the eyes to adjust to darkness, and/or seeing "haloes" around electric lights.
Incidence: There are two million known cases of glaucoma in the United States, making it a leading cause of blindness among older adults.
Causes: Although the aging process is a factor, other causes include serious eye injuries, eye surgery, certain medications including steroids, and eye tumors. Glaucoma may also be linked to stress and nutritional deficiencies, and is often related to other disorders such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Treatments: There is no cure for glaucoma and any damage to vision is irreversible. Chronic open-angle glaucoma can often be controlled through the use of medication, usually in the form of eyedrops. If your ophthalmologist recommends medication to control glaucoma and it is working to your satisfaction, continue to use it faithfully. Also follow the supplementation program outlined below.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Choline or Lecithin |
1000-2000 mg. daily |
Important B vitamins for the eyes and brain. |
|
Omega 3 essential fatty acids. |
As directed on label. Take with meals. |
Protects and aids repair of new tissues and cells. |
|
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) |
100 mg. 3 times daily. |
Anti-stress vitamin needed for the adrenal glands, and an essential constituent of coenzyme A, needed for many vital metabolic processes. |
|
Vitamin A
plus Beta-carotene
|
50,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. 25,000 IU daily, with meals. |
Needed for good eyesight. Essential in formation of visual purple, the substance necessary for night vision. |
|
Vitamin B Complex |
50 mg. 3 times daily, with meals. |
Injections (under a doctor’s supervision) may be necessary if stress is a factor. |
|
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids |
10,000-15,000 IU daily, in divided doses. |
Reduces intraocular pressure. |
|
Vitamin E |
400 IU daily |
Helpful in removing particles from the lens of the eye. Antioxidant properties protect the lens and other eye tissues. |
|
Multivitamin and mineral complex with selenium |
As directed on label. |
All nutrients are needed to aid in healing and to reduce intraocular pressure. |
|
Zinc |
50 mg. daily. Do not exceed 100 mg. from all sources. |
Essential in activating vitamin A from the liver. Beneficial in glaucoma therapy. Use zinc sulfate form. |
Herbs:
 | Bilberry contains flavonoids and nutrients needed to
protect the eyes from further damage. Fresh blueberries and red raspberry leaf
can also be used.
| Eyebright is good for all eye disorders.
| Eye baths using warm fennel tea, alternating with
chamomile and eyebright, are helpful. Caution: Do not use chamomile if
you are allergic to ragweed.
| A combination of ginkgo biloba extract and zinc
sulfate may slow progressive vision loss.
| Rose hips supply valuable flavonoids and vitamin C
| Avoid ephedra (ma huang) and licorice. | |
Recommendations:
| Avoid prolonged eye stress such as watching
television, reading, or using a computer for long periods. If you must do
close work for a long time, take periodic "focus breaks." Every 20
minutes raise your eyes and focus on something in the distance for a few
minutes.
| Avoid tobacco smoke, coffee, alcohol, nicotine, and
all caffeine.
| Avoid taking high doses of niacin (over 200 mg.
daily.) | |
Considerations:
| If eyedrops fail to control intraocular pressure, a
doctor may use laser trabeculoplasty, a technique using a laser beam that
makes tiny holes in the meshwork through which the aqueous fluid normally
drains, opening up blocked drainage channels.
| Surgery has certain advantages over medication;
however, it has disadvantages as well. An estimated 40% of people who undergo
glaucoma surgery experience no improvement, and the procedure may have to be
repeated.
| Agents that dilate the pupils, such as ephedra and
belladonna, should be avoided at all costs.
| Vitamin C supplementation has been demonstrated to
lower intraocular pressure in several clinical studies. The role vitamin C
plays in collagen formation may be the key to its action. Take Vitamin C in
high doses, and under medical supervision.
| Bioflavonoid supplementation prevents the breakdown of
vitamin C in the body before it is metabolized.
| Corticosteroids can induce glaucoma by destroying
collage structures in the eye. If you must take corticosteroids, take the
smallest amount possible for the shortest possible period of time. If you have
glaucoma, avoid them entirely. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
921-15 |
Lecithin Softgels 1200 mg. |
As directed on label |
$4.50/100 |
|
941-15 |
Omega 3 Max. Fish Oil 1000 mg. Softgels |
As directed on label. Take with meals. |
$7.98/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. with Rose Hips Tabs. |
3 tabs. daily in divided doses. |
$5.75/60 |
|
091-15 |
Citrus Bioflavonoids 1000 mg. Tabs. |
3 tabs. daily. Take with vitamin C. |
$5.95/100 |
|
TW254 |
Ocuguard Capsules |
As directed on label. |
$24.95/120 |
|
982-15 |
One a Day Maximum Tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
890-15 |
B Complex 100 mg. Tablets |
2 tablets daily. |
$8.95/100 |
|
923-15 |
Zinc Gluconate 50 mg. |
1 tablet daily. |
$3.64/100 |
|
897-12 |
Bilberry 25% Stnd.Ext. 50 mg. Caps. |
As directed on label. |
$8.98/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide
Compiled by Burton Goldberg
