Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve of the eye. Usually, it happens once fluid accumulates in the front area of the eye. This additional fluid increases the eye’s pressure and damages the optic nerve.

Caregiving for someone with glaucoma

The following tips might help to promote eye health and control high eye pressure:

Consume a healthy diet. Consuming a healthy diet may help to maintain your health; however, it will not prevent glaucoma from growing worse. Several nutrients and vitamins are critical to eye health, which includes antioxidant vitamins A, E, and C; selenium; copper; and zinc.
Safely exercise. Routine exercise might decrease eye pressure within open-angle glaucoma. Speak with your physician about a suitable exercise plan.
Restrict your caffeine. Consuming beverages that have large quantities of caffeine might raise your eye pressure.
Frequently sip fluids. Only drink moderate quantities of fluids during any given time within the course of a day. Consuming one or more quarts of any liquid within a brief time might temporarily raise eye pressure.
Sleep with an elevated head. Utilizing a wedge pillow that keeps the head raised slightly, around twenty degrees, has been proven to decrease intraocular pressure when sleeping.
Take all prescribed medication. Using eye drops or other medicines as prescribed may help to obtain the best possible outcome from treatment. Be certain that you use the drops precisely as prescribed. Or else, the optic nerve damage in your eye might grow worse.

Alternative medicine (discuss with your medical provider!)

A few alternative medicine approaches might help your health overall; however, none is an efficient remedy for glaucoma. Speak to your physician about their potential risks and benefits.

Herbal remedies. A few herbal supplements, like bilberry extract, have been claimed to be remedies for glaucoma. However, more studies are needed to show their effectiveness. Do not use herbal supplements in replacement for proven therapies.
Relaxation methods. Stress might trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma. If you are at risk of that condition, figure out some healthy ways to cope with your stress. Meditation and additional techniques might help.
Marijuana. Studies show that marijuana can lower eye pressure in those who have glaucoma, yet only for 3 – 4 hours. Other traditional treatments are more effective. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, marijuana is not recommended to treat glaucoma.

Are you or your loved one experiencing glaucoma?

Once you receive a glaucoma diagnosis, you are possibly facing long-term treatment, routine checkups to slow down and prevent vision loss as much as possible. You might need some care and support in your home because of glaucoma or its treatment. At AmeriBest Home Care our home care professionals are committed to offering quality comprehensive personal care services to valued members of our community. We offer Philadelphia home care services in a respectful and dignified manner. Your home care provider will help with every non-medical issue that arises. Also, they can help you follow your doctor’s orders. Call an AmeriBest home health care provider today at 215-925-3313 to find out how we can be of help to you or your loved one to stay independent at home!