{"id":10122,"date":"2021-03-01T11:02:06","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T11:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=10122"},"modified":"2021-08-12T06:33:39","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T06:33:39","slug":"glaucoma-can-meditation-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/glaucoma-guide\/how-is-glaucoma-treated\/glaucoma-can-meditation-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Glaucoma: Can Meditation Help?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Could meditation be the next glaucoma \u2018wonder drug\u2019?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Can adding meditation to your day help manage your glaucoma<\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

What is Glaucoma?<\/h2>\n

Glaucoma is a common eye condition<\/a> where the optic nerve is permanently damaged, causing loss of vision and eventually ‘Tunnel Vision’.<\/p>\n

The most common cause of glaucoma is increased eye pressure. Eye pressure, also called intraocular pressure or IOP, is a measurement of the fluid pressure inside the eye.<\/p>\n

Glaucoma affects 65 million people worldwide, and it\u2019s estimated that 10 percent of these are legally blind. Many people wonder what can be done to prevent<\/a> or help with the treatment.<\/p>\n

This condition is usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. This damage to the optic nerve causes permanent vision loss.<\/p>\n

Left untreated<\/a>, glaucoma can lead to \u2018Tunnel Vision\u2019 and total blindness.<\/b><\/p>\n

The primary way to slow the progression of glaucoma is by lowering IOP or eye pressure with surgery or medications.<\/p>\n

Could meditation help?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Journal of Glaucoma<\/em> published a study in 2019 that showed mindfulness meditation may help lower intraocular pressure (IOP) and improve quality of life by lowering stress-related chemicals and hormones.<\/p>\n

Many glaucoma patients have increased depression and anxiety due to the stress of potentially losing their sight. When the body is under stress, it produces certain chemicals and hormones to help combat the stress.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in lowering your eye pressure the Find an Eye Doctor<\/a> directory lists eye doctors near you that are experienced in treating glaucoma.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SEE RELATED:<\/strong> Glaucoma FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t

Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t
\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t