Diet
- Eat foods that are rich in vitamin C (i.e., citrus peppers, kiwi, berries, kale, tomatoes, melons, broccoli, etc.). Vitamin C from food has been shown to decrease intraocular pressure.
- Eat foods that are good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids – wild, cold water fish, flax oil, chia seeds, walnuts, etc.
- Avoid food additives, especially foods with glutamates, such as MSG. Glutamates are t0xic to the nerves.
- Drink plenty of water. Water helps to maintain proper flow of fluids through the body.
- Avoid caffeine as this has been shown to increase intraocular pressure.
Lifestyle
- Control Stress – there is no question that stress can worsen glaucoma.
- Try to keep your environmental temperature stable as temperature swings can worsen glaucoma. Consider moving to a climate with stable temperatures.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking can cause constriction of blood vessels which is detrimental to patients with glaucoma.
- Exercise helps to control intraocular pressure. Pressure within the eyes can drop by as much as 23% 60 minutes after exercise. You must exercise consistently for benefits to continue. Once you stop exercising the pressure returns to previous levels within 3 weeks.
Supplements
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – 2 caps twice daily. Hyaluronic acid makes up the fluid in the eye and a deficiency can make it difficult for the fluid to flow which can cause the pressure to go up.
- Wholemega fish oil – 2 caps twice daily – Omega-3 fats have been shown to help maintain a healthy eye pressure. In addition, the omega-3 fats help to protect the nerve. The astaxanthin, found in wholemega, helps to protect the eyes from free radicals.
- Eye Pressure Support – 1 capsule daily.
- Melatonin SR 3 mg – 1 capsule before bed
If Damage is Present On The Ocular Nerve:
- Methyl B-12 – 1,000 mcg, 1 tablet 4x daily.
- Super R-Lipoic Acid – 300 mg twice daily.