Ocular hypertension, or OHT, results when the production of the eye's aqueous fluid exceeds the rate of drainage through a system called the canals of Schlemm. Because intraocular pressure rises slowly, people do not often realize there is a problem until it is diagnosed by an eye care professional. A tonometry test to measure the pressure of each eye and an examination of the optic nerve are used to identify the presence of OHT, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. OHT can be a forerunner to glaucoma, a serious eye disease that can cause blindness if untreated. It is important for people with OHT to have regular eye exams and take proactive measures to prevent worsening of the condition.
Step 1
Supplement the diet with vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid and n-acetyl cysteine. These are important antioxidants necessary for eye health that may help to lower intraocular pressure, according to studies reported in the 1989 Russian journal "Oftalmologicheskii Zhurnal" and in the December 2009 edition of "Glaucoma Journal." Check with a health care provider to determine the proper dosages.
Step 2
Eat more green vegetables and fresh fruit. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain lycopene and zeaxanthin, powerful nutrients prevalent in the center of the retina. Lutein, a major component of spinach, is concentrated on the outer edges of the retina.
Step 3
Control sugar intake. Persistent high blood sugar levels--common in people with diabetes and obesity--are linked to elevated eye pressure, according to the Women to Women website.
Step 4
Stop smoking and get more exercise to increase circulation. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict and may lead to increased eye pressure. People with diseases that affect the blood flow to the optic nerve are at particular risk for OTC, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes.
Step 5
Reduce stress levels and get plenty of rest and fresh air. Spend 10 or 15 minutes each day in meditation or a Tai Chi exercise. Learn to take slow, easy breaths to counteract feelings of anxiety.
Tips and Warnings
- When doing close work or spending long stretches staring at a computer screen, look away and focus on a far away object every 15 or 20 minutes to relax the eyes.
References
- Glaucoma Research Foundation: Diagnostic Tests
- "Oftalmologicheskii Zhurnal"; Effect of the Ascorbic Acid of the Aqueous Humor on the Lipid Peroxidation Process in the Eye in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma; A.T. Aleksidze et al.; 1989
- "Glaucoma Journal"; Retinal Oxidative Stress Induced by Intraocular Hypertension in Rats May Be Ameliorated by Brimonidine Treatment and N-acetyl cysteine supplementation; G. Ozdemir et al.; December 2009
- Women to Women: Insulin Resistance
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Glaucoma Causes
