A thin fluid called aqueous fills the front of your eye, and an imbalance in the fluid may cause increased eye pressure. A high pressure can damage your optic nerve, resulting in a condition called glaucoma. If left uncontrolled, these high pressures can cause significant loss of vision. Medications help control pressure, but may cause eye irritation. To avoid these effects, some people talk with their doctors about alternatives, such as goji, to control the condition.
Goji
Goji is a plant also known as lycium. The most commonly used part of the plant is the berry, but some people use extract from the bark as well. Goji contains many antioxidants that could prove beneficial to preventing eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. However, the components of goji do not indicate any benefit to controlling eye pressure or preventing glaucoma. Each person has different needs, and you and your doctor may decide you should try goji to determine if the supplement could help your eye pressure. In this case, your doctor will inform you about the best way to use goji and the dose appropriate for your eyes.
Effectiveness
If your doctor agrees that you should use goji, she may have you continue your current medications or pressure-reducing regimen as well. To determine the effectiveness of goji, your doctor will check your eye pressure before you start using goji. Once you use goji for a few weeks, your doctor will have you return to the office to recheck your pressure. If you do not have any change, this will indicate that goji did not affect your pressure. If your pressure decreases, you and your doctor may discuss adding goji and adjusting your prescription medications accordingly.
Treatment Options
Most glaucoma patients require prescription eye drops or oral medications to adequately control eye pressure. Some people may require one or more medications to drop to an eye pressure that does not result in continued damage to the optic nerve. In some cases, a person may need a surgical procedure designed to help the aqueous fluid drain properly.
Considerations
Do not use goji or other supplements for glaucoma without first talking with your doctor. She can inform you of any side effects and warn you about possible interactions with medications. If you take blood-thinning medications, or if you have a blood disorder, goji could increase your risk for bleeding. Diabetics using goji may need to closely monitor their blood sugar levels, since goji may cause sudden drops in blood glucose.
