Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve and involves a loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern. It is a type of optic neuropathy. Raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma (above 22 mmHg or 2.9 kPa). (Glaucoma (Wikipedia).
My friend lost one eye to glaucoma when he was still young. If only this report, Experimental and clinical evidence of neuroprotection by nerve growth factor eye drops: Implications for glaucoma published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences had been published earlier. The report claimed that eye drops containing containing nerve growth factor seemed to trigger chemical changes within cells that prevent those cells from dying in response damages from increased intraocular pressure and may boost the capacity of healthy RGCs (retinal ganglion cells) to form new connections within the optic nerve, compensating for any damage that may have already taken place.
The researchers from the University of Rome treated rats with induced with glaucoma through injection of hypertonic saline into the episcleral vein, with eye drops containing 2 does of NGF - 100 and 200 μgm/ml.
For further details, refer to BBC News (health) and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
2 comments:
This research is promising, though it may be very different in human trials. In the meantime, diet and specific nutrient supplementation can both help prevent the onset of glaucoma as well as help preserve vision for those with glaucoma.
There are number of peer review studies that show the importance of supplementing with a specific nutrients can help protect the optic nerve from damage including the following: alpha lipoid acid, bilberry, pine bark, gingko biloba, taurine, magnesium, vitamin B12,
Other studies have shown that a healthy diet which included, for example, at least 1 serving of green leafy vegetables such as kale and collard greens, decreased the risk of getting glaucoma for women by 69 percent (Coleman AL, Stone KL, Kodjebacheva G, Yu F, Pedula KL, Ensrud KE, Cauley JA, Hochberg MC, Topouzis F, Badala F, Mangione C ; Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group)
Daily eye exercises also help maintain healthy vision. For a demo of 3 great eye exercises by Dr. Grossman, one of the Country's leading behavioral optometrists, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0
For more related research studies, see the "Research" section at Natural Eye Care for Glaucoma Prevention
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye.
jayn
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