Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve. The eye condition is characterised by redness in the eye, blurred vision, headache, nausea and cloudy cornea.
Glaucoma is a medical condition that should be treated by a qualified medical practitioner. The standard treatment options for glaucoma treatment may involve the use of eye drops, pills, laser, or surgery. Glaucoma is a disease that can be controlled; there are several things that you can do as supplementary practices besides standard treatment to sustain your quality of life.
Healthy diet
A healthy and well-rounded diet is a must for those affected by glaucoma. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables ascertains that your body is getting all the essential vitamins and minerals to maintain its nutritional balance. Studies have suggested that people with glaucoma often lack Vitamins A, B and C as well as and other vital nutrients. Besides, you need to eliminate stimulants from your diet that can aggravate glaucoma. These include refined sugars, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol.
Vitamin C
Include a lot of vitamin C sources or supplements to help reduce the intraocular pressure in your eyes. Papayas, citrus fruits, potatoes, tomatoes and broccoli are some of the excellent sources of vitamin C.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one nutrient that improves peripheral blood circulation, which in turn betters vision. Moreover, magnesium dosage prevents glaucoma by counteracting a suspected glaucoma cause, glutamic acid.
Punarnava
Punarnava is a medicinal herb that proves effective in treatment of glaucoma. The herb reduces the pressure on an eye affected with glaucoma. Also, punarnava gives best results when used as a treatment option in the early stages of glaucoma.
Yoga
Routinely practicing eye asanas will keep your eyes toned and flexible. As a result, you will be able to ease eye strain and tension. Yoga asanas increase blood flow to optical nerves besides shielding the eyes from environmental toxins and free radicals.
Exercise
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, regular exercise can help lower inner eye pressure. In the trials, glaucoma patients who exercised for three months had decreased inner eye pressure by 20 percent. Moreover, there are eye relaxation exercises that help decrease the levels of eye strain, strengthen eye muscles and improve vision for glaucoma patients. Doing these exercises every day can help those who find it difficult to focus on objects and to read.
Rest
Prolonged strain on eyes can increase complications for glaucoma patients. Make sure you give your eyes the rest they need. Avoid watching television, working on the computer, and driving and reading for long hours. If you need spectacles to read or while doing any activity, do wear them so that your eyes are not stressed.
Apart from a healthy diet, regular physical activity and precautions, you need to seek medical advice for glaucoma. There is not much scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of natural treatments. Natural treatments may interfere with your standard treatment; do not use them without your doctor's consent.
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