Glaucoma advice?

I went to my eye doctor recently for a routine exam and she said that my "pressures" were on the high end of normal and that the "cup" at the end of my optic nerve was larger than normal. She said this could be the beginning signs of glaucoma. I have to go for further testing in a year. However, I was curious as to whether there is anything I can do to help myself out and lower the pressure over the course of the next year. I have been doing research for a few weeks now, and I have seen conflicting articles on different vitamin/mineral deficiencies contributing to the onset of glaucoma. Vitamins A, B1, C, and E seem to be common for helping, and minerals chromium and zinc seem to be consistent. However, the combos and amounts to taker per day are really confusing. Does anybody have experience with glaucoma, and can you provide me with advice? Remember, I have not been officially diagnosed yet, but my doctor is concerned.

Thank you so much!!

check this site out.

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/glaucoma...

I work at an eye doctor's office, and my best advice to you is find a M.D. or an O.D. that has a GDX. This is what we use with people who is a glaucoma suspect or has it in their family. It is a nerve fiber layar analysis that gives a much better view into the retina. It measures the nerve fiber layers and any thinning areas. There isn't very much that you can do to be preventive, except to have annual checkups!!!

If your doc is that concerned, then you should be followed up in 3 - 6 months for pressure check (IOP). It also depends on what time of day you had it done-it varies through out the day and a good doc will check you at least once in am, mid-day, and afternoon. Also-don't wear tight collars when you have it done-this can increase the pressure and DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH! Most people end up holding there breath when they see that little blue light come at them. This will only increase it.

IOP should be monitored and the GDx should be done. It's a really quick scan of the retina that will measure that cup to disk ratio. They should also measure corneal thickness- a thicker cornea will give false high readings because it takes more pressure to do the test- thin corneas will give false low readings.

Don't get worried-lots of people have high IOP and never develop glaucoma. Then again, some have low IOP readings and do get it. Lots of research is starting to prove IOP readings are far less accurate alone to detect glaucoma. So RELAX!

no vitamins or supplements work to lower IOP.

i agree with dee_dee: no tight collar shirts, no holding breath...and a new study says dont drink copious amounts of water quickly!! believe it or not:

http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10....

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.suppo...

the current thinking is no more than 8 oz every 20 min period. interesting, eh?

and i totally agree that you need to find someone who has a GDx and get that test done. usually costs around $100 to have it done, and IMO every glaucoma suspect probably needs it. it does not diagnose glaucoma *for* the doctor, but it is very, very useful information about nerve fiber layer loss. way, way more informative IMO than a subjective visual field test.

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-wSz1Uw8ha...