Your doctor will diagnose you with glaucoma if you have high intraocular pressures that lead to damage of the optic nerve, the structure at the back of your eye that transmits visual cues to your brain. This damage could result in significant vision loss, including blindness, if left untreated. Some people may turn to nutrition and supplements, such as L-carnitine for glaucoma, but these alternatives do not have any known benefit for treating glaucoma.
L-Carnitine Identification
L-carnitine, also referred to as carnitine, works with your body to covert fats into energy. Your body produces this nutrient, but some foods and supplements also contain L-carnitine. This nutrient does not have any know effect on glaucoma. However, some research suggests that L-carnitine may offer some benefits for conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, kidney disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. If you have these or other health conditions, talk with your doctor before taking L-carnitine, since supplementation may interfere with the disease or treatments.
Nutrition
No foods or nutrients have any known role in reducing your risk for glaucoma or bringing down your eye pressures, but a healthy diet will help properly nourish your eye and promote general eye health. In particular, the Southern California College Optometry recommends 200 to 500 mg of L-carnitine each day. This, along with other beneficial nutrients such as vitamins C, E and omega-3 fatty acids, could offer benefits to glaucoma patients. If you and your doctor determine that L-carnitine could help you and your eyes, your doctor will recommend an appropriate dose.
Treatment
Glaucoma treatment typically involves medications and routine eye pressure checks with your doctor, and if you do not take your medications regularly, this could result in damage to your vision. Eye drops for glaucoma may cause burning, stinging and redness. If you notice these symptoms, your doctor may have you stop a medication and try a different medication. Most of these drops may result in side effects, which often affect most users. Your doctor will work with you to find a medication that causes the least amount of symptoms, but if you continue to have problems with the drops, your doctor may recommend a glaucoma surgery.
Considerations
You should avoid taking supplements or medication until you thoroughly discuss your options with your doctor. As well, you should not stop taking your glaucoma medications without consulting with your doctor. Some people wish to try different supplements, such as L-carnitine, to see if they may offer a similar pressure reduction, and if you elect to try this, you should talk with your doctor. She may have you continue using your medication but will have you return after you use the supplement for some time. Comparing your eye pressure before the supplement to your pressure after beginning L-carnitine will show the effectiveness on your pressure.
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