There's another way to keep your glaucoma under control
There are many ways to lower your IOP naturally in addition to your existing treatment.
My Journey with high eye pressure (IOP)
Controlling and Managing IOP and Glaucoma
In January of 2023, I went to my optometrist. My dad had arranged for an appointment before he passed on. The optometrist seemed concerned that my pressure was high after several measurements (25 mm Hg) and wanted me back every 6 months for rechecks because of my family history. My maternal grandfather had glaucoma and AMD. In his later years he was completely blind. My mother is completely blind due to glaucoma and AMD. I take care of her every day and am reminded how valuable our sight is. Her sister has glaucoma and is nearly blind. Their other sister has deteriorating vision also and just lost her drivers license due to poor eyesight. All of my family were on eye drops and underwent multiple surgeries. I decided to take a different path and to try to avoid the eye drops if I could. My optometrist gave me a vision field and retinal and ganglion neuron scan as a baseline. I purchased a used Reichert 7CR non contact (air-puff) tonometer to characterize my own eye pressure. It has taken me months but I have achieved a normal IOP reading without any vision field deterioration and no change in ganglion / neuron deterioration. The optometrist has now recommended an annual checkup (rather that semi-annual) for continual monitoring due to my good progress (or lack of glaucoma progression).
Method #1: Alternate Nostril Breathing Exercises
There are several ways to almost instantly lower your IOP. One is using breathing exercises. Specifically alternate nostril breathing. For me, this method of breathing reduces my IOP by 2-3 points (mm Hg) within 30-60 seconds of doing it. So when you're feeling particularly stressed, try this breathing exercise, it should help your eye pressure go down, at least temporarily.
Method #2: Taking CBG oil
A new cannabinoid called Cannibigerol or CBG has been available on the market for some time. Like pure CBD, pure CBG has negligible THC and does not make the user "high". I have been taking CBG oil to lower my IOP for more than one year now and I have not seen any side effects, in fact I have seen only benefits, not only in IOP but in other areas as well. CBG seems to "open the valve" in the eye and normalize intraocular pressure rapidly.
Method #3: Eating Anthocyanin rich Foods
Anthocyanins are chemical compounds naturally found in red, blue and purple foods. Anthocyanins are one of the compounds that can (a) pass through the blood / brain barrier and (b) be absorbed readily by the eyes. These chemical compounds have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidatant properties. Personally, I have found an increase in night vision and lower upon-waking IOP when consuming these foods in the evening.
Method #4: Self-Tonometry
There are several at-home eye pressure measurement solutions available now. They are quite expensive. I was lucky enough to buy a used Reichert 7CR one from an optometry surplus technician. There are now handheld home monitoring machines available. The act of self-tonometry is to measure your own eye pressures yourself, in the comfort of your own home. In this way, you can chart the times and conditions that your eye pressures (IOP) is high and when it is low, and what factors such as diet, exercise, and actions affect them.