Natural Regenerative Therapy for Glaucoma

 

Natural therapies can be of great value in helping your eyes to heal and to have better results with your prescription medication. Glaucoma is a serious condition – so medical intervention with regular checkups is important. These suggestions
are meant to work in conjunction with the instructions from your MD.

Too Much Stress Is Hard on the Eyes

Our eyes and especially eyes with glaucoma or other eye diseases like cataracts, macular degeneration etc. are very susceptible to oxidative stress.

As the cells in our body accomplis their natural metabolic processes toxic byproducts called free radicals and peroxides are produced. These chemicals  produce oxidative stress.

Mother nature has given us a sophisticated means of neutralizing these buzz bombs with super active enzymes working to support our detox process…. but some people need extra help to reduce the effects of this  physiological stress. 

Vitamin C therapy can help reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) that may build up in the eye due to oxidative stress.  Bioflavanoids-a  form of vitamin C from citrus, lipoic acid, magnesium, B12, and omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils also reduce oxidative stress, improve circulation and blood flow to the eyes.

Life Can Be Sweet Without So Much Sugar

Insulin resistance, levels of insulin that are too high and difficulty processing carbohydrate foods causes diabetes, weight problems and can raise your blood pressure. All of these are associated with elevated eye pressure.

Avoid sugar- cut  back on how much you use. Reduce bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, crackers, cereal etc to balance your insulin metabolism.  Get your blood sugar level checked regularly because like glaucoma insulin related problems can be difficult to feel.

Regular exercise-walking, yoga, swimming, bike riding or perhaps  aerobics can  rebalance blood sugar metabolism reduce stress, improve well being and decrease the buildup of ocular pressure. However, it depends on what is going on with your eyes -check with your MD. Make sure the exercise you plan on doing regularly will be easy on your eyes.

Are Your Adrenals Wearing Their Dancing Shoes?

An intricate dance goes on between our adrenals, the kidneys and the mineral stores in our body. The adrenals regulate the kidneys with aldosterone. The kidneys respond by excreting urine with contains minerals. Our fluid balance and minerals stores change which affects our blood pressure and fluid levels in the body & our eyes.

Rebalance your adrenals by- reducing stress,  practicing meditation, learning how to sleep/rest more deeply and walking your dogs or playing with pets you love.  The adrenals work in close connection with the thyroid- have your thyroid checked at the same time your blood sugar is evaluated.

Vitamin C therapy, B complex, calcium magnesium and zinc  help reduce the stress load and normalize kidney and adrenal function.

Other alternative possibilities  include: homeopathy, herbal therapy, nutrition, acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, ayurvedic therapies and massage.

Eat Nutrient Rich Foods Every Day

Use these foods to protect the eyes, promote healthy vision and slow down the progression of eye disease, decrease IOP, and strengthen blood flow to the eyes

*spinach, kale, chard, collards, broccoli, brussel sprouts, leafy green veggies and egg yolks are high in lutein &  zeathin.  

*orange fruits and vegetables: squash, carrots, pumkin, yams, sweet potatoes and apricots contain vitamin A derivatives

*almonds, sunflower& pumpkin seeds, hazlenuts and wheat germ are rich in vitamin E.

*berries-cranberries, blueberries, bilberry, raspberry etc are high in bioflavanoids a natural form of vitamin c

* things to avoid: excess caffeine, alcohol, smoking and rich fatty foods with high sugar content like doughnuts, pastries and fried foods.

 

 Be gentle with yourself- Start with one or two changes at a time and listen to what your body tells you. Let your inner vision guide you to what helps you feel more relaxed and rejuvenated.

 

“The natural healing force within each of us

is the greatest force in getting well.” - Hippocrates

 

Resources:

1. http//www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/17604498

“A novel perspective on natural therapeutic approaches in glaucoma therapy”.

Mozaffarieh M. Flammer J.

 

2. http//www/ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmd/11302779

“Natural therapies for ocular disorders, part two:cataracts and glaucoma”.

 Head, KA.

 

You might also enjoy Inner Vision, Glaucoma and Love and Take the Pressure Off Your Pressure.

 

Inner Vision, Glaucoma and Love

The Shambala teachings of Tibetan Buddhism consider vision to be a form of bravery.  To see clearly what is directly in front of us and keep moving forward so we engage in life-one must realize their own basic goodness and confidence which allows them to perceive  the basic goodness of the world. The illumination which occurs when this change takes place is called the Great Eastern Sun.

Whether it is the Great Eastern Sun of self illumination or simply the light of day in your own bedroom-that you see....inner vision and love can help your eyes see more clearly and allow you to feel whole and complete.

Your Thoughts Can Influence Your Healing

I believe that we live in a reciprocal universe-what we believe and think about shapes our reality. Inner work on ourselves is a wonderful tool for retraining your body and mind to assist you in healing.  

Not everyone is seing clearly-3 million Americans & 67 million people around the globe are vision impaired with glaucoma.  Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that can influence the pressure in the eye in different ways which can damage the optic nerve producing vision loss or even blindness when these conditions go untreated.

Unfortunately the onset of glaucoma is not always easy to feel in the early stages. All adults should have their eyes checked regularly. Glaucoma is associated with dizziness, sinus problems, allergies, hypertension, diabetes or blood sugar problems so it is especially important to get an eye checkup if you have been concerned with these issues.

Western  medical therapies use eye drop medications and sometimes traditional  and/or laser surgery to keep the fluid pressure of the eye in balance and protect the optic  nerve. Glaucoma is a serious condition and these therapies are important to prevent loss of sight.

Here is a program that has helped many people enjoy better vision: 

New Thoughts for Healthy Eyes

Discover the best new thoughts for your inner and outer healing.
(From“You Can Heal Your Life”by Louise Hay, p.175.)

1.In a quiet time and place ask yourself: “Are there long standing or overwhelming hurts from the past? Any unforgiven events or hurts that could be affecting my eyes and glaucoma?”

If it doesn’t seem possible then ask yourself “What could be the thought patterns in me that are influencing my vision and how my eyes heal?”

2. Repeat to yourself, “I am willing to release the patterns in my consciousness that are influencing my vision or may have created this condition.”

3.Louise Hay found these affirmations helpful with vision & glaucoma but if they do not resonate with you- feel free to create one that does.

                                              “I see with love and tenderness”

                                              “I see with love and joy”

                                              “I now create life I love to look at”

Repeat your affirmation as a new thought pattern to yourself several times.

4. Allow yourself to assume that you are already healing. Use your  affirmation-at least three or four times each day and whenever you find yourself thinking about your vision.

Try Inner Vision and Love for 30 Days

Give yourself one month of using this method daily. These few minutes of focusing on yourself in a relaxed and loving manner will surely help you feel better. I would love to hear how it works for you.

Next week in part 2 I'll explain natural steps to normalize fluid pressure and slow down the progression of Glaucoma. These alternative steps also make it easier for your body to process glaucoma medications more effectively and reduce possible side effects.
 

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision"

Helen Keller

Please be sure to subscribe to my blog by entering your email address in the subscribe section below. 

You might also enjoy Environmental Toxicity and You and Deep Relaxation and Hawaiian Massage.