The front, inside section of your eye contains aqueous humor. Your eye produces this fluid, which constantly flows into this front chamber, while older fluid drains. If your eye cannot balance fluid entering with the fluid leaving the front of your eye, you may have an increased eye pressure that could damage your optic nerve. Talk with your doctor if you have glaucoma, since certain supplements, such as cod liver oil, could have some effect on your eye pressure.
Eye Pressure
A high eye pressure may reduce the amount of blood that nourishes the optic nerve. This may gradually damage the nerve fibers, resulting in loss of side vision. Medicated eye drops may help lower your intraocular pressure, improving blood flow to your nerve and reducing your risk for vision loss. These medications may cause significant irritation and discomfort on the surface of your eyes. Since good control of eye pressure is important, you should not stop taking medications, but you should discuss your treatment options with your doctor, including the possible benefits of fish oil.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial nutrients for your health. For glaucoma patients, omega-3s could help the aqueous humor drain from the eye properly, and this could play a role in reducing eye pressure. If you and your doctor think cod liver oil may help your eye pressure, your doctor may recommend testing your eye pressure prior to starting cod liver oil supplements. She will then tell you how much to take each day. After you have used these omega-3 supplements for a length of time, your doctor will check your eye pressure and compare your eye pressure before using the cod liver oil with your eye pressure after you started the supplements. This will give an indication as to the possible effects on your pressures.
Other Omega-3 Sources
Different types of fish provide good sources of omega-3. These fish include salmon, tuna and mackerel. Your doctor may suggest eating these types of fish for omega-3s or taking a supplement that contains cod liver oil or oil from one of the other types of fatty fish. If you eat a plant-based diet or have side effects, such as stomach upset, from the fish oil supplements, your doctor may recommend flaxseed oil. Ground flaxseed also contains omega-3s as do pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
Considerations
You should not rely on cod liver oil or any other omega-3 supplement to reduce your eye pressure. Follow your doctor's instructions, using any prescribed medications as necessary. Consult with your doctor before beginning an omega-3 supplement for glaucoma or any other condition. Your doctor will evaluate your health history and help you decide if omega-3 could benefit you.
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