Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that stems from high intraocular pressures that damage the nerve fibers that make up the optic nerve. This damage happens slowly, and you will not typically have any noticeable symptoms of glaucoma until you have significant loss of your side vision. Glaucoma medications such as eye drops can help control eye pressures, but many people have side effects from these drops. As a result, some may turn to supplements such as coleus forskohlii to reduce pressure.
Eye Pressure
Eye pressure increases when you have an imbalance in the aqueous humor entering and leaving your eye. This fluid fills the front section of your eye, nourishing the surrounding tissues and helping to keep the structures in place. If the aqueous does not drain well, the pressure will increase. In addition, if your eye produces too much aqueous, this may result in a buildup of pressure. High pressures limit the blood flowing through the vessels that nourish the optic nerve, resulting in loss of side vision. If you have untreated high eye pressures, this could ultimately result in blindness.
Coleus Forskohlii
Coleus forskohlii is a plant that may have medicinal qualities. For glaucoma in particular, one component, forskolin, shows promise in reducing eye pressures. In a small study of 10 glaucoma patients in 1987, researchers determined that eye drops containing forskolin showed a drop in pressure. In 2009, researchers completed a study to further evaluate the effects of forskolin in glaucoma patients, but, as of 2011, the research team has not posted the study findings.
Warnings
You should not stop using any prescribed glaucoma medication unless directed by your doctor. If you discontinue use, your eye pressure will spike and you risk gradual damage to your optic nerve, and ultimately to your vision. Consult your doctor if you wish to try a form of coleus forskohlii to determine if this supplement may reduce your pressure. She may have you continue using your prescribed medication while using the supplement, comparing your eye pressures to detect any significant effect.
Considerations
If you and your doctor determine that you should try coleus forskohlii, your doctor will inform you of the possible side effects. These may include a decrease in blood pressure, change in heart rate and headaches. If you have certain health conditions such as polycystic kidney disease, you should not use this supplement since it may increase the growth of associated cysts. Also, if you take medications such as blood thinners, your doctor may not recommend coleus forskohlii since this may interact with the medication.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Forskolin; March 2009
- "South African Medical Journal"; The Effects of Forskolin Eye Drops on Intra-Ocular Pressure; B.H. Meyer; et al.; May 1987
- MayoClinic.com; Glaucoma; July 2010
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Effects of Forskolin on Intraocular Pressure in Glaucomatous Patients Under Treatment With Either Beta-Blockers or Prostaglandins Eye Drops
