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Glaucoma
Understanding Glaucoma Glaucoma is optic nerve damage, often associated with increased eye pressure within the eye (intraocular). Glaucoma occurs when an imbalance in production and drainage of fluid in the eye (aqueous humor) increases eye pressure to an unhealthy level. Glaucoma is the third leading cause of blindness worldwide. There are generally two forms of glaucoma: The "open-angle" form affects 90% of glaucoma sufferers. The drainage canals in the eyes become clogged gradually over time. The pressure in the eye rises slowly because fluid is produced at a normal rate but drains sluggishly. The "angle-closure" form is far less common. The drainage canals in the eyes suddenly become blocked and increase the eye pressure abruptly. If untreated, the sufferer may lose his vision in matter of a few days.
Symptoms of Glaucoma Open-angle glaucoma is painless and causes no early symptoms. When symptoms do set in, peripheral (side) vision is usually lost first but is not noticeable until much of it is lost. During this time, sufferers develop a tunnel vision, where they can see straight ahead perfectly well but are blind in all other directions (much like when you look through a long tube). Other symptoms are the development of blind spots, or loss of vision in patches. When left untreated, sufferer eventually becomes blind. In angle-closure glaucoma, eye pressure rises rapidly. Sufferers will notice an abrupt onset of severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, rainbow-colored halos around lights, headache and even sudden loss of vision. These may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting as a result of the increased eye pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency case as sufferers have been known to lose their vision within two to three hours from the onset of symptoms.
Causes of Glaucoma In most people, the cause of glaucoma is not known. But what research does show is that glaucoma tends to run in families. It is thought to be age related as it often affects people over 40. People who are very near-sighted or far-sighted, have had previous eye surgery, and diabetics also tend to have a higher risk for glaucoma. Other causes of glaucoma could be damage to the eye caused by infection, inflammation, tumor, advanced cataracts, or other eye surgery. Deficiencies in vitamins A, B1 (thiamine) and C, and other minerals are also thought to promote damage to the optic nerve by the increasing eye pressure.
Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions If you are in the high risk group, be aware of the symptoms so that you know when to get help before it is too late. Unfortunately, once vision is lost, it cannot be reversed. But if it is detected in time, proper treatment and care can prevent further vision loss. Being prone to glaucoma, you should do a comprehensive eye examination every two or three years. Take all precautions to prevent or reduce the progression of eye pressure.
Take plenty fruits and vegetables that have high content of anti-oxidant for their phyto-medicines that protect your eyes against cell degeneration.
All these vegetables are some of the richest source of vitamin A. This combination provides the finest and highest quality of pro-vitamin A that is essential and effective for maintaining the quality and health of eyesight. Vitamin A when taken too much can be toxic. But when ingested in the form of beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) through these vegetables is amazingly beneficial. Juice two ribs of celery, a handful of parsley, a bunch of endive (it has only one calorie) and a medium-sized carrot. Drink this concoction daily.
Another combination of the best greens that are high in vitamin A and anti-oxidant. Juice a few leaves of kale, a medium-sized floret of broccoli and a handful of bean sprouts.
Besides vitamin A and C that are vital for preventing glaucoma, spinach and carrots also have the carotenoids that are important in preventing age-related damage to the optic nerves. Juice a couple of stalks of spinach and a medium-sized carrot and drink regularly, rotating with the other recipes on this page.
These berries and grapes contain powerful anti-oxidant flavanols that nourish the cells of the retina. Juice and drink all of them or some of them for protection against cell degeneration. They also possess powerful anti-cancer properties.
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