This section  deals with both Glaucoma and Cataracts. Click on the subject you want to view.

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease and one of the leading causes of blindness.  There are probably many causes for the development of glaucoma, but diabetes, high blood pressure and errors of collagen metabolism, as well as inadequate nutrition and stress are all related.

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Glaucoma

The following is a nutrition guide for Glaucoma:

• Eat a generally healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. 

• Eat berries every day, especially bilberries and to a lesser extent blueberries, which contain bioflavonoids which aid normal collagen metabolism and prevent further damage. 

• Rutin as found in buckwheat is also particularly helpful. 

• Vitamin C is crucial for collagen integrity and has been shown to lower inner eye pressure levels in many clinical studies.  The dosage of Vitamin C needs to be established by your medical doctor, as some people will respond to as little as 2 grams per day while others will respond only to extremely high doses, e.g. 35 grams per day.  Do not take these large amounts of vitamin C without the guidance of your medical doctor.

• Food and chemical sensitivities and allergies need to be investigated also, as it is known that allergens can alter vascular permeability and vasospasm can result in the congestion and oedema characteristic of glaucoma. 

• Corticosteroids destroy collagen structures in the eye and induce glaucoma.

Important

Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency. Go to the nearest accident and emergency department immediately.  Effective therapy must be started within 12 to 48 hours or permanent loss of vision will occur within three to five days.  Typical signs and symptoms of acute glaucoma include extreme pain, blurring of vision, inflammation of the eye and a fixed, dilated pupil, nausea and vomiting.

Health Supplements   

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below:

(please also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)

The following supplements may alleviate symptoms of chronic glaucoma, under the supervision of a medical doctor, and for acute glaucoma may help prevent worsening of the problem.  Everything should be done under medical supervision and advice.

• 5,000 to 10,000mg Vitamin C in divided doses (more than this only with medical supervision)

• 2 x Bilberry Ginkgo Eyebright + Lutein (Solgar)

• 1 x Advanced Proanthocyanidin (Solgar)

• 1 x Multivitamin and mineral (e.g. VM75 Solgar)

• 1 x Vitamin B Complex (Biocare)

Recommended Health Books

health book - Coping with Glaucoma
health book - Diabetes Cookbook, The
health book - Wild Blue-green Algae

CATARACTS

When the lens of the eye thickens, it looks cloudy and it becomes difficult to focus and see properly.  Causes include ageing, diabetes, injury, steroid drug use, heavy metal poisoning and free radical damage.

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Cataracts

The following is a nutrition guide for cataracts:

• Prevention is easier than cure. 

• Drink at least 1½ litres of spring or filtered water. 

• Eat plenty of fresh fruits, especially bilberries, and vegetables. 

• There is a strong link with cataract formation and sugar and dairy consumption, so avoid both of these. 

• Another link is with free radical damage, so avoid fried foods and hydrogenated vegetable oils.  In the kitchen use only cold-pressed virgin olive oil for cooking.

Health Supplements for Cataracts   

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below:

(please also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)

• 1 x Multivitamin and mineral containing copper and manganese (e.g. VM75 from Solgar)

• Solgar Bilberry Ginkgo Eyebright Complex

• 2 x Advanced Antioxidant Formula (contains Glutathione) (Solgar)

• Vitamin B Complex (Biocare)

• 2 x 1000mg Ultra C plus bilberry, three times a day (Higher Nature)

• 3-9 capsules daily of Klamath Lake Blue Green algae (Aquasource) – start with 2 capsules a day and  work up to 6 or more per day.  Good for heavy metal toxicity and anti-oxidant.  Drink plenty of clean water to help the algae detoxify.

Recommended Health Books

health book - Coping with Glaucoma
health book - Diabetes Cookbook, The
health book - Wild Blue-green Algae