Raising awareness of glaucoma

Abstract:
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Glaucoma occurs when the optic disc at the back of the eye becomes damaged. The condition may also involve increased pressure within the eye. Unfortunately, the symptoms of glaucoma commonly go unnoticed. Conventional medication for glaucoma can become problematic in pregnancy. Natural substances like omega-3 fish oils may be beneficial in reducing eye conditions such as glaucoma.

Keywords: Eye Tonic, glaucoma, eye health, ocular hypertension, blindness, pregnancy, omega-3

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The World Heath Organisation (WHO) estimates that, globally, up to 75% of all blindness is avoidable.

It is estimated that 65 million people suffer from glaucoma worldwide. Glaucoma is a very serious eye condition which is widely misunderstood. One of the biggest challenges facing health professionals is being able to diagnose glaucoma early. There may be no recognisable symptoms until it is too late, and tissue damage has occurred. Glaucoma is usually associated with old age, however everyone is at risk, as the condition has been found in babies and young adults. As there is no known cure, glaucoma is a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment.

Ocular Hypertension vs. Glaucoma

Not all cases of increased pressure within our eyes (intraocular pressure) is glaucoma. This symptom however, may progress into glaucoma. Further, it has been suggested that glaucoma can occur without any change to pressure within your eye. Therefore, increased intraocular pressure is not always glaucoma, and glaucoma is not always associated with increased intraocular pressure. Approximately 4 in 100 people aged over 40 have ocular hypertension, with 2 in 100 people over 40 having glaucoma.

Ocular Hypertension

Ocular hypertension is when intraocular pressure increases to a level which exceeds normal levels (>21mmHg), in one or both eyes. This is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist by measuring the pressure within your eyes on two separate occasions, with a tonometer. The optic nerve appears normal, and there is no evidence of glaucoma, such as peripheral vision loss.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the condition where the optic nerve (at the rear of the eye) becomes progressively damaged, leading to blindness. The optic nerve relays visual inputs from the retina to the brain, which is particularly susceptible to damage caused by increased intraocular pressure. While it is common for this damage to occur as a result of increased intraocular pressure, damage can also occur due to poor blood flow to the optic nerve or structural deficits in the nerve itself. Malfunctioning blood vessels can cause leakage (known as oedema) into the surrounding tissue, causing damage and increased pressure within the eye. Symptoms occur long after the initial occurrence of the condition making it difficult for early detection. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, however progress is usually more rapid in one eye. Initially, glaucoma affects your peripheral vision, degenerating over time, and leading to blindness in the affected eye(s). Medication in the form of eye drops may help treat the condition, however this must be maintained long-term. As mentioned earlier, there is no cure to glaucoma. Therefore, it is important to get your eyes checked by a healthcare professional fairly regularly.

Pregnant Women with Glaucoma

In general, it is important for pregnant women to be aware of the potential risks involved in taking medications as these often reach the baby’s bloodstream. Regrettably, medicated eye drops invariably may enter the mother’s bloodstream. In pregnant women, this may pose a risk to the unborn child as the mother’s blood circulation is somewhat continuous with the baby. The placenta acts as a filter however some medications still get through. Breastfed babies may also be exposed to these medications through breast milk. It is therefore very important for any women planning on having a family to consult with their healthcare practitioner regarding the risks of using medication for glaucoma. It may be beneficial to consider natural therapies such as fish oils high in DHA content, to provide support for eye health in pregnant women. If you do take fish oil, be careful not to consume more than your recommended daily intake of vitamin A. And be sure that it is a clean source of fish oil, free from contaminants.

How do we Avoid Getting Glaucoma?

Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. An increased risk of glaucoma can result from a number of factors including age (above 45), diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine and family history. Although these risks are invariably unavoidable, it is important to be aware of these risks and actively manage them if possible. Poor nutrition is another risk factor for developing glaucoma, and one we can control. For example, people with glaucoma have been reported to have significantly lower vitamin B1 levels. There are no known foods that protect against glaucoma specifically, however any foods that benefit to your blood vessels would be recommended. These would include foods that are rich in antioxidants such as fruit and vegetables, and reducing your intake of saturated fats. Instead, it is important to seek unsaturated fats such as omega-3 fats found in fish oil. The natural herb bilberry also provides a benefit in reducing the risk of developing glaucoma, as bilberry can assist in maintaining the integrity of blood vessels that supply your eyes.

PM EyeTonic is formulated to provide maximum eye health. A quality source of DHA rich fish oil, vitamin A, bilberry, and vitamins B1 and B2, PM EyeTonic is one of the few eye products tested for quality from beginning to completion of the manufacturing process.

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Asregadoo, ER, (1979). Blood levels of thiamine and ascorbic acid in chronic open-angle glaucoma. Annals of Ophthalmology, Vol. 11 (7), pp. 1095-1100.