Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to loss of side vision. This condition does not usually cause any outward symptoms, but in most cases an eye doctor will note a high pressure or damage to the eye that will indicate you might have glaucoma damage. Treatments will reduce pressure, but some people turn to supplements such as aloe for eye pressure relief. Aloe, however, does not have any proven benefit in glaucoma treatment or prevention.
Aloe
Aloe, also known as aloe vera, has properties that might help soothe burns and aid in the healing of wounds to the skin. Some people also use aloe to help control health conditions such as diabetes and asthma. The leaves of the plan contain a thick gel that you can spread directly on a burn or wound, but your doctor might also recommend an oral aloe supplement. These supplements might help conditions such as diabetes or asthma. Some aloe supporters claim that aloe could have a role in treating glaucoma, but as of the date of publication, aloe does not have a known role in caring for glaucoma or other eye conditions.
Eye Pressure
You have two chambers in your eye, the front section called the anterior chamber and the back section called the posterior chamber. The front chamber contains a clear fluid called aqueous, which your eye continuously produces while draining out the older fluid. If the drainage canal does not drain fluid at the same rate the fluid enters your eye, this could increase pressure. This build up of aqueous will press against the blood vessels that feed your optic nerve, a bundle of fibers at the back of your eye, and over time the inadequate blood flow can result in vision loss.
Treatment
To prevent vision damage associated with glaucoma, your doctor will recommend treatments to lower your intraocular pressure. Doctors typically begin by prescribing eye drops to reduce eye pressure, and some people might need more than one drop for adequate control. The drops often cause burning, stinging and redness. Your doctor might recommend a laser procedure or other surgical options to lower eye pressure, but she might tell you to continue using the eye drops until she can determine if other treatment options have reduced your pressure. A low eye pressure is the only known way to prevent progressive damage to your vision, and aloe cannot offer these pressure-lowering benefits.
Considerations
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that requires medical treatment to prevent vision loss. You should not rely on herbal supplements or other alternative treatments unless directed by your doctor. You should not begin taking supplements such as aloe without consulting your doctor, since supplements might interact with medications or health conditions you have. High doses of aloe could result in stomach upset and diarrhea.
