Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, whichsends signals from the eye to the brain. The most common type of glaucoma iscalled "open-angle glaucoma."
Open-angle glaucoma is caused by abuildup of pressure within the eye. This pressure causes damage to the opticnerve, resulting in a gradual loss of peripheral vision. If the pressure isn'trelieved, the damage can eventually lead to blindness.
There are many factors that canincrease the risk of open-angle glaucoma, including heredity, high bloodpressure, elevated levels of calcium within the eye and diabetes. While thereare treatments for glaucoma, the disease cannot be cured.
Other types of glaucoma include closed-angle glaucoma and secondary glaucoma.
Closed-angle glaucoma occurs whenthe fluid within the eye cannot drain properly, which can lead to a sudden increase in pressure. This type of glaucoma can cause severe pain and requiresimmediate treatment.
Secondary glaucoma is caused by anunderlying condition, such as a tumor or infection.
Natural Ways to Reduce Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a serious eye diseasethat can lead to blindness, but there are some simple ways to reduce the risk of glaucoma, and these natural ways really work.
1. Stop Smoking
Smoking is one of the most commoncauses of glaucoma. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can damage nervecells in the eyes, causing them to lose their ability to transmit informationto the brain.
2. Reduce Stress
High levels of stress can raise yourblood pressure and increase the risk of glaucoma. If you have high bloodpressure, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible.
3. Manage Your Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure,lowering it to normal levels can help reduce the risk of glaucoma. To loweryour blood pressure, you should exercise regularly, avoid salty foods and getplenty of sleep.
4. Quit Using Eye Creams
Eye creams are not designed to treatglaucoma and can actually increase the risk. Many of these creams containsteroids that can damage the optic nerve.
5. Wear Sunglasses
Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve,which can result in vision loss. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce glare andprevent sunlight from damaging your eyes.
Glaucoma in Dogs
According to the American Glaucoma Society, dogs also get this disease like human.
Read about signs, symptoms, prevention, causes, and treatment of glaucoma in dogs in detail. You can also get natural home remedies for glaucoma.