Glaucoma Surgery
Glaucoma Disease » Glaucoma Surgery » Herbal medications

Herbal medications

Question:

In article <806kf9$3b…@barcode.tesco.net>,   "David J Wright" <Djwri…@tesco.net> wrote: > There are several herbs and other ‘natural’

substances for which people > claim beneficial effects and while we would not

comment on these claims it > is vital that your friend takes what ever

conventional medication is > prescribed because any sight lost to glaucoma

cannot normally be recovered. > — > David Wright MSAE > Chief Executive, International Glaucoma Association > IGA Web Site – http://www.iga.org.uk/home.htm > While we are pleased to offer the above

information, it is not possible for > the International Glaucoma Association to advise

on an individual patient’s > eye condition or treatment as this has to be the

role of their own doctor or > eye specialist who knows the full details of

their particular case. Any > comments above should therefore viewed as

general observations. > ———- > In article

<58YkODr36p6UgVmqXkVaY=WQk…@4ax.com>, Tom A. > <tappe…@SPAMoptonline.net> wrote: > > On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 13:39:21 -0500, "funtos"

<sdzie…@localnet.com> > > wrote: > >>A friend has just been diagnosed with open

angle glaucoma secondary to > >>iridis. He is a believer and follower of using

vitamins and herbs to aid in > >>wellness. Does anyone know of any helpful herbs? > > The herb Bilberry is said to be beneficial for the eyes. > > — Tom

******************** Hi, I was diagnosed last Spring with open angle, normal pressure glaucoma.  Because of chemical sensitivities, I did not dare risk the "conventional" treatments complete with nasty side  effects.  Since their usefulness seems to be only to lower pressure, I turned to alternatives to do the same thing — and more. I’ve been taking Vitamin C + Bioflavonoids, Mixed Carotenoids (Beta Carotene +), Gingko Biloba, Grape Seed Extract + Pine Bark (Pycnogenol), & Omega3 Oil.  I used Bilberry for a while, but read that it has a hypoglycemic effect — since I have a problem with that, I discontinued it. Though they say glaucoma is symptomless early on, I had a number of problems with my sight, including difficulty reading, sensitivity to light, itching and soreness.  All these are greatly improved with this regime.  In addition, a follow-up exam, including field test and photo, showed my pressure holding steady at 14 (previously down from 19 after starting my supplements) and optic nerve damage improved slightly(per the field test). I don’t propose that everyone should take what I have been taking.  I do believe it is helpful and sensible to go to the library and health food store and read up like crazy on any health condition you have.  Being an informed patient can help you evaluate the various treatment options, allopathic or alternative/complementary. Whatever you decide, do keep have your eyes checked frequently to see how you are doing. I wish you well in your quest for healthy sight. Healthseeker Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Response:

> I am interested in the use of Pine Bark (Pycnogenol–also present in other > conifer trees). Could Healthseeker forward references on this substance? Thanks > in advance.

************************ I’ve seen this in several places.  Part of the rationale f for its use is antioxidant properties — did you read the post re antioxidants on this list yesterday? One book I believe discusses the grape seed extract and pine bark is "Save Your Sight" (Subtitle, "Natural ways to prevent & reverse macular degeneration") by Marc R. Rose, M.D. & Michael R. Rose, M.D.  I browsed it in my local health food store. I’ll try to find some of the other references. I have other health conditions, so do a lot of research. It’s good to hear of your own success.  As you may guess, prayer & meditation are important in a Quaker’s life. And my husband & I do a lot of walking. May your good health continue. Healthquaker Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Response:

A friend has just been diagnosed with open angle glaucoma secondary to iridis. He is a believer and follower of using vitamins and herbs to aid in wellness. Does anyone know of any helpful herbs?

Response:

There are several herbs and other ‘natural’ substances for which people claim beneficial effects and while we would not comment on these claims it is vital that your friend takes what ever conventional medication is prescribed because any sight lost to glaucoma cannot normally be recovered. — David Wright MSAE Chief Executive, International Glaucoma Association IGA Web Site – http://www.iga.org.uk/home.htm While we are pleased to offer the above information, it is not possible for the International Glaucoma Association to advise on an individual patient’s eye condition or treatment as this has to be the role of their own doctor or eye specialist who knows the full details of their particular case. Any comments above should therefore viewed as general observations. ———- In article <58YkODr36p6UgVmqXkVaY=WQk…@4ax.com>, Tom A. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<tappe…@SPAMoptonline.net> wrote: > On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 13:39:21 -0500, "funtos" <sdzie…@localnet.com> > wrote: >>A friend has just been diagnosed with open angle glaucoma secondary to >>iridis. He is a believer and follower of using vitamins and herbs to aid in >>wellness. Does anyone know of any helpful herbs? > The herb Bilberry is said to be beneficial for the eyes. > — Tom

Response:

An excellent post from Healthseeker/quaker–maybe it should be health finder as the results of the mentioned program seem to have been at least to some extent successful. As I have reported numerous times on this board, my pressure has declined over a period of many years from 47 to around the 18 range (and as low as 12) with a combination of medication (Timoptic primarily), NO SURGERY, exercise, good nutrition and prayer. Fortunately, I show no damage and do not require glasses at age 66. There appears to be ever reason for glaucoma patients to be hopeful. I am interested in the use of Pine Bark (Pycnogenol–also present in other conifer trees). Could Healthseeker forward references on this substance? Thanks in advance.

Response:

PS: I’ve also read that walking can be beneficial to glaucoma, and I agree with Healthquaker that prayer and meditation is also of great benefit. Gloria

Response:

In article <806kf9$3b…@barcode.tesco.net>,   "David J Wright" <Djwri…@tesco.net> wrote: > There are several herbs and other ‘natural’

substances for which people > claim beneficial effects and while we would not

comment on these claims it > is vital that your friend takes what ever

conventional medication is > prescribed because any sight lost to glaucoma

cannot normally be recovered. > — > David Wright MSAE > Chief Executive, International Glaucoma Association > IGA Web Site – http://www.iga.org.uk/home.htm > While we are pleased to offer the above

information, it is not possible for > the International Glaucoma Association to advise

on an individual patient’s > eye condition or treatment as this has to be the

role of their own doctor or > eye specialist who knows the full details of

their particular case. Any > comments above should therefore viewed as

general observations. > ———- > In article

<58YkODr36p6UgVmqXkVaY=WQk…@4ax.com>, Tom A. > <tappe…@SPAMoptonline.net> wrote: > > On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 13:39:21 -0500, "funtos"

<sdzie…@localnet.com> > > wrote: > >>A friend has just been diagnosed with open

angle glaucoma secondary to > >>iridis. He is a believer and follower of using

vitamins and herbs to aid in > >>wellness. Does anyone know of any helpful herbs? > > The herb Bilberry is said to be beneficial for the eyes. > > — Tom

********************** I was diagnosed last Spring with normal pressure open angle glaucoma – with observed damage to the optic nerve.  Because I am chemically sensitive and the "conventional" treatments seem only to offer pressure reduction, I chose to seek alternative means for that purpose. I’ve been taking grape seed extract combined with pine bark (pycnogenol), mixed carotenoids (beta carotene plus), Vit. C + bioflavonoids, gingko biloba and Omega 3.  I took bilberry for a while, but read somewhere that it has a hypoglycemic effect, and since that is another problem of mine, I discontinued it. A recent follow-up exam (including field test and photo) found my pressure holding steady (at 14) and some improvement in damage shown in the field test.  I can’t say that what I am doing is for everyone, but I feel personally safer avoiding the side effects and less than certain outcome of pharmaceutical drugs. My way of dealing with any health condition is to go to the library and the health food store, read all pertinent information I can find, thus becoming an informed consumer.  I wish you well in your quest for healthy eyes. Healthseeker Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Response:

There are a few herbals that help to enhance healthy eyes.  Bilberry, Grape Seed Extract & Lutein.  There may be others but those are the ones I’m aware of. Information on each of these can be found on the web. Gloria

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -In article <81skfq$ir…@nnrp1.deja.com>, healthqua…@my-deja.com wrote: > I was diagnosed last Spring with normal pressure > open angle glaucoma – with observed damage to the > optic nerve.  Because I am chemically sensitive > and the "conventional" treatments seem only to > offer pressure reduction, I chose to seek > alternative means for that purpose. > I’ve been taking grape seed extract combined with > pine bark (pycnogenol), mixed carotenoids (beta > carotene plus), Vit. C + bioflavonoids, gingko > biloba and Omega 3.  I took bilberry for a while, > but read somewhere that it has a hypoglycemic > effect, and since that is another problem of mine, > I discontinued it. > A recent follow-up exam (including field test and > photo) found my pressure holding steady (at 14) > and some improvement in damage shown in the field > test.  I can’t say that what I am doing is for > everyone, but I feel personally safer avoiding the > side effects and less than certain outcome of > pharmaceutical drugs. > My way of dealing with any health condition is to > go to the library and the health food store, read > all pertinent information I can find, thus > becoming an informed consumer.  I wish you well in > your quest for healthy eyes. > Healthseeker

While all decisions about the treatment of any condition must ultimately belong to the patient, it is most important to understand the consequences of such decisions. One characteristic of open angle glaucoma (of all types) is, in the vast majority of cases, slow progression. It can take several perimetry examinations over a period of maybe 18 months to establish the stability or progression of the condition. This is partly because of the speed of the progress and partly because patients tend to learn about the test itself and become more confident (better) at carrying it out. This is why many patients find that their results improve on the second and third tests. However, there is little or no evidence that glaucomatous field loss is reversible because once a nerve fibre in the optic nerve is dead, it cannot be revived. The only possibility is that a nerve on the verge of death may be reprieved by a timely reduction in intraocular pressure, but the likelihood of being able to detect such a phenomenon is very small and improvement is more likely to be as a result of the learning curve mentioned above. The only way to control glaucoma, which has a proven beneficial effect, is the reduction of intraocular pressure even in the case of normal pressure glaucoma. With the range of medications, laser and surgical procedures now available it should be possible to find a method of management appropriate to almost everyone and while no-one would claim to have all the answers nor that supplements etc might provide a beneficial effect, it would seem wise to combine these with a conventional approach given the non reversible nature of glaucoma. Everything we do to our bodies has side effects and because something has the label ‘natural’ it does not in any way guarantee the absence of undesirable results both in terms of the glaucoma and also the side effects of the substance. A well informed person is much more likely to make appropriate decisions about their own treatment but it is vital that the information gathered includes informed medical comment so that a truly balanced opinion can be formed. — David Wright MSAE Chief Executive, International Glaucoma Association IGA Web Site – http://www.iga.org.uk/home.htm While we are pleased to offer the above information, it is not possible for the International Glaucoma Association to advise on an individual patient’s eye condition or treatment as this has to be the role of their own doctor or eye specialist who knows the full details of their particular case. Any comments above should therefore viewed as general observations.

Response:

Related Posts

Write a comment