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Doctor is there anything else that I can do for my glaucoma?: Alternative therapy for glaucoma, what is the evidence?
Author(s) -
Sunaric Megevand G.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.01321
Subject(s) - glaucoma , medicine , blindness , harm , optometry , intervention (counseling) , intensive care medicine , disease , medical therapy , ophthalmology , surgery , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology
Summary The usual algorithm for the treatment of glaucoma consists of medical or/and laser therapy, followed by surgical intervention if the IOP does not lower to the target or the disease progresses despite maximal medical therapy. Understandingly, just as for many other chronic diseases, patients are willing to do more for their glaucoma in order to prevent progression and ultimately blindness. The question: “Doctor is there anything else that I can do for my glaucoma?” is therefore often asked. Several studies have suggested that some lifestyle habits or alternative therapies may influence glaucomatous neuropathy and many patients admit using them either in conjunction or as replacement of their prescribed glaucoma medication. This talk will focus on the evidence that is behind these therapies. Education of ophthalmologist and patients is of great importance in order to avoid misleading beliefs and erroneous therapies with the risk to harm patients visual function.