Acupuncture for Glaucoma –
Orlando & Surrounding Area
Tens of millions of people around the world suffer with glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the retina, optic nerve, optic nerve root and may lead to blindness. If you live in Orlando or surrounding cities, you may be interested in learning how acupuncture can reduce the symptoms of and slow down the progression of degenerative eye conditions like glaucoma, and whether it may be right for you.
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which results in loss of peripheral vision over time. Other types include normal tension, angle-closure, and congenital glaucoma. While there is no cure for glaucoma at the present time, Western medicine practitioners often prescribe eye drops, conventional surgery, or laser surgery to slow progression of the disease. The problem with conventional treatment is many people experience negative side effects with eye drops, and surgery always carries a risk.
Increased eye pressure does not necessarily mean a person has glaucoma, however if the optic nerve is damaged it will likely be diagnosed as glaucoma. On the other hand, you can develop glaucoma even without increased eye pressure; this is generally referred to as normal-tension glaucoma. Glaucoma is easily diagnosed, however many people do not know they have it until it has progressed to the point they begin having symptoms.
Acupuncture for glaucoma is a treatment that is non-invasive and growing in popularity for a number of degenerative eye conditions. A component of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, increases blood flow in the small blood vessels in the eyes. This increased circulation allows the eyes to receive the nourishment they need, and more importantly cleans up build up of cellular debris that may be diminishing your vision.
Acupuncture is beneficial for reducing IOP, or intraocular pressure found in patients with glaucoma. It is also a complementary treatment that patients use to reduce the amount of medication necessary to control IOP, and is often used by those to regulate eye pressure when they cannot tolerate eye drops and the side effects.
For patients whose glaucoma is in the early stages, acupuncture can help prevent the dry eyes often associated with the condition and in some cases avoid eye surgery. Acupuncture assists in restoring optimal blood flow to the optic nerve and retina, helping the eyes to heal from the damage caused by intraocular pressure.
While open-angle glaucoma is the most common type, acupuncture is useful in treating all types of glaucoma to help restore health and promote cellular repair through good blood circulation.
If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma and are interested in learning more about the potential benefits of acupuncture for restoring eye health and preventing further progression, call Orlando Acupuncture today. We invite those in Orlando and surrounding areas to contact us at 407-673-6700.