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HEADAHES: GLAUCOMA TREATMENTOrthodox treatment Fortunately, treatment for glaucoma is effective, but it’s important to start it as soon as possible, in order to minimise damage to the sensitive retina. Because a retracted iris blocks the drainage holes and increases the pressure, we want to keep the iris contracted and the pupil small, so that the muscle of the iris keeps out of the way of the drainage holes. Therefore, your doctor will give eye drops that cause the iris to close up to a pinpoint. Frequently a drug called pilocarpine, or another called timolol, are used to do this. Either or both are given regularly, as drops may be all that is necessary to ensure that the pupil remains small. If the drops don’t work, a drug called acetazolamide can be given in tablet form, to reduce the pressure by reducing the formation of aqueous humour. Sometimes even this is not enough, and then an operation (a sclerectomy) to make a small, artificial drainage hole may be necessary. After this operation, even if the iris does dilate in dim light, it will not block the drainage holes Self-help As with anything, prevention is better than cure. If you have a family history of glaucoma, then make sure you get your eyes checked regularly. It’s important to have your glaucoma diagnosed, because you can do many things to reduce the number of attacks. Anything which causes the iris to relax and the pupil to open decreases the drainage of the aqueous humour and may cause an attack. Low levels of light cause the pupil to open up, but there’s no need to go around constantly seeking bright surroundings, because the eyedrops will constrict the pupil very adequately. More importantly, many drugs have the side-effect of relaxing the iris. Atropine is one. Some medicines have atropine-like side-effects, including many antidepressants. Your doctor will be able to tell you about any possible side-effects that the drugs you are taking might have. If you have glaucoma, it’s worth reminding your doctor about it every time he prescribes for you. It’s easy for your doctor to forget you’ve got glaucoma when he’s treating you for, say, abdominal pains. What about treatment of the acute attack? Fortunately, acute attacks are rare, now that we detect and control chronic glaucoma. Obviously, in an acute attack you need the doctor urgently. In a sudden attack of glaucoma, heat is sometimes effective. You can apply heat safely to the eye in the following way. Get a bowl of near boiling water, and a wooden spoon. Wrap some cotton-wool around the end of the spoon, dip it in the water and gradually bring it near to the closed eye, keeping the eye as hot as you can bear. When the cotton wool pad starts to feel cool, dip it back in the water and repeat the process. Also, a pad over the affected eye will stop light getting in, helping in those cases where light itself is painful. Both these methods should only be employed to relieve the pain while the eyedrops are taking effect. They should not be used instead of proper medical treatment. Complementary treatment Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. While awaiting attention, belladonna can be taken in homoeopathic doses every fifteen minutes. Pain and fear can be controlled by Bach flower remedies, especially Rescue Remedy, which can be rubbed into the temples while waiting for help. Because eye drops and, in severe cases, a minor operation, deal so effectively with glaucoma, there hasn’t been a great need for the alternative options found in complementary medicine. However, acupuncture can deal with any pain following attacks, as can Shiatsu. Both claim to open channels within the body, hopefully preventing further blockages. Elder/lower gel can relieve any pain or discomfort caused by glaucoma. Lavender, camomile, melissa, basil and clary sage in the bath or in a vapouriser will help to relieve the headaches caused by glaucoma. Wormwood on cotton wool reduces eye inflammation. See the post-illness suggestions in chapter Nine, for general tips to recovering from sudden attacks on the system, and maintaining health and well-being *77\20\2* Related Posts:Tags: Pain Relief Leave OneYou must be logged in to post a comment. |
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