Glaucoma: Conventional and Alternative Approaches.
Raised internal pressure in the eye may or may
not be a cause for alarm. Individual 'normal'
pressures vary as much as individual's blood
pressures so it is useful to establish what is
normal for you, as a basis for identifying any
trends which may develop. Vision educators
entirely endorse the practice of regular testing
and examination by qualified optometrists,
particularly if there is a family history of
glaucoma or other pre-disposing factors.
Conventional Therapy
The medical approach to glaucoma is based on
removing the symptom of raised pressure which is
done either by drugs, given as eye drops, or by
surgery. All the drugs used are more or less
habit forming and mostly have unpleasant side
effects which can include loss of vision.
Obviously if there is no better alternative their
use may be accepted as a necessary evil.
Alternative Approaches
As with other ocular and visual conditions it
is possible to view glaucoma and its precursor,
raised lOP, as involving more than the eyes
alone. Various combinations of relaxation
techniques, homoeopathic, nutritional and flower
remedies have proved extremely effective at all
stages of the disease. One lady in the early
stages was able very quickly to normalise her
pressures and entirely avoid the use of drugs.
Another, in an advanced state, almost blind and
in great pain experienced improved vision and
complete pain relief. It can be done! PM
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A personal experience
by Wendy
Finch - to brief biography
SO THEY SAY YOU'VE
GOT GLAUCOMA!
On a visit to the optician, you have a
pressure test as you are over 40.
"Come back tomorrow. Nothing to worry
about. I just want to check things." Then:
"Just take this letter to your GP as soon as
you can".
So you do, and are referred to the local
hospital's glaucoma clinic. Some weeks later, an
appointment card arrives. Until now, you probably
haven't thought about it much, but now worry sets
in. Are you to be sentenced to eye drops for
life? Will you be lasered? How high is your
pressure? What are normal levels? Is your vision
deteriorating already? All these stressful
thoughts will make you tense, so you'll see less
well even though nothing has happened yet.
At the hospital various tests are performed after
the statutory waiting time. If you can, prepare
yourself with questions to ask. There is
information to be had, and after all they are
your eyes. You need to know as much as possible
to be able to make informed choices, and not be
processed according to the system. Be aware that
stressful situations may cause eye pressure and
blood pressure to rise. The time of day is also
significant, low being between 2.00 and 5.00 pm
roughly. Does the doctor know what is the normal
pressure for you? If not, how can he judge if
it's too high or merely highish? He spends most
of his working time examining damaged eyes. Does
he have enough experience of undamaged or normal
eyes? He has been trained to look for
disease, not health. Ponder on these things!
When it is over, consider what you now know. You
have survived. You can choose whether to follow
instructions or not. No-one can force. you. If
the verdict is "Come back in six
months" fine! No need for action now. The
relief will make you see better. The prescription
for eye drops does not have to be used merely
because it is there. Spend some time thinking,
weigh the risks. Ask for more information if you
need to. Then choose.
Meeting these experts has not changed anything.
Do they really know what is best for you? There
are other ways of helping your eyes.
Ask a Bates teacher!
Wendy Finch
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About
Wendy Finch:
Wendy Finch was diagnosed with glaucoma in
1987. Other than a brief period in 1995 when she
was preparing for a cataract operation, she has
avoided conventional medication, preferring to
address the problem with natural methods. She
trained in the School of Vision Education from
1993 - 1995 and teaches the Bates Method in
Cheshire and Lancashire. In addition to pure
Bates work, she has experienced good results from
using bilberry extract: the combination has been
successful to date in keeping intra-ocular
pressures within an acceptable range and with no
loss of vision.
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