Antioxidants In The Treatment Of Glaucoma
Neuroprotectants and Antioxidants Glaucoma is primarily a disease of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is, after all, a nerve. So, anything that has been shown to protect nerve tissue from damage (provide “neuroprotection”) could have a role in the treatment of glaucoma. Antioxidants protect living tissue from “oxidative” damage. So, in a broad sense, antioxidants could be considered to be neuroprotectants. What, Exactly, Are...
Omega-3 Fatty Acids In The Treatment Of Glaucoma
What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil, have been shown to benefit conditions ranging from heart disease to dry eye. Two of the most frequently studied omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Animal experiments support a role of DHA in retinal health. What about it’s role in glaucoma? Evidence that Omega-3 Fatty Acids Can Be Used To Treat Glaucoma: When...
Can Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) Be Used To Treat Glaucoma?
What Is Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)? PEA is an endocannabinoid.[1] Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids such as PEA[2]. Certain foods such as peanut oil, egg yolk, and soybean lecithin also contain PEA[3]. If the term “endocannabinoid”sounds familiar it is because “cannabis” is the term used to describe plants that produce delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the main active ingredient in marijuana). You’ve probably heard that...
Is Curcumin (Tumeric) A Natural Treatment For Glaucoma?
What Is Curcumin? Curcumin (chemical name: diferuloylmethane) is an extract of Tumeric, a common spice used throughout India and Asia[1] Evidence that Curcumin can be used to treat glaucoma: Of the supplements I recommend for my patients with glaucoma, this one has the least evidence supporting its use. Although it has been shown to have a neuroprotective[2] effect, it has not specifically been shown to either reduce IOP or slow the...
Should Glaucoma Patients Use Glucosamine?
Why I’m Not Keen on Glucosamine Glucosamine sulfate is a naturally occurring substance that is commonly combined with chondroitin sulfate and used to treat the most common type of arthritis. Glucosamine sulfate is used by our bodies to create glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs contribute to the regulation of aqueous flow in the eye (possibly by clogging the trabecular meshwork (the eye’s “drainage grate”). It makes intuitive sense, then,...
