Chiropractic Healing Works

How To Reduce Eye Pressure Naturally

22 December 2015 by Charlie Berry

If you have an eye condition called ocular hypertension, then the pressure within your eyes is higher than it should be. This condition can occur if you have glaucoma or macular degeneration. It also can happen after cataract surgery. If your ophthalmologist thinks that the eye pressure may cause permanent damage to the retina or other tissues inside the eye, then a stent may be supplied to help reduce pressure. However, if your ocular hypertension has recently been diagnosed or if pressure is relatively consistent, then you should try to reduce eye pressure as naturally as possible. Consider the following tips to do this.

Drink Water

If you are constantly dehydrated or if you simply do not drink enough water, then eye pressure will likely remain high or elevated. One of the reasons that eye pressure builds is because the fluids within the eye are not able to drain as quickly or effectively as they should. This fluid is called the aqueous humor and it is made by the tissues within the eye. The fluid moves out through the pupil through drainage vessels and it is absorbed by the body. However, if the body does not have enough water, then the eye fluid will be created a bit thicker than normal. Also, the vessels that assist with drainage may constrict.

To help reduce drainage concerns, make sure to drink enough water. According to the Mayo Clinic, men need about three liters of water a day and women need a little over two liters of fluid. However, you should understand that interocular pressure can actually increase if you drink a large amount of water at one time. This means that you need to split up your recommended daily fluid intake into numerous small glasses of water throughout the day. If you do not want to drink a full two or three liters of water, then make sure to include foods into your diet that contain fluids. Tomatoes, oranges, lettuce, watermelon, celery, carrots, and melon are a few examples of foods that contain a good deal of fluid. 

Control Blood Pressure

High blood pressure will also affect your eye pressure. Specifically, high blood pressure will increase the pressure on the small capillaries that run across the retina and the outer tissues of the eye. This places stress on the retina and forces the vitreous gel within the eye to shift and place pressure against the structures at the front of the eye. In some cases, this can cause the retina to detach. To help reduce problems, make sure to control or lower your blood pressure.

One of the best ways to reduce blood pressure is to reduce your intake of sodium. Sodium causes the body to retain more fluid, and much of this fluid will end up in your bloodstream. This, in turn, causes the blood pressure to increase. Six of the most popular foods that contain high levels of sodium include pizza, bread, canned soup, cured meats, poultry, and sandwiches. Try to avoid or limit these foods in your diet. Also, stay away from fast food and processed items. Consider eating a lot of fresh or steamed vegetables, fruits, and fish instead. Also, think about starting to exercise. Low impact cardiovascular exercise is best to lower both blood pressure and eye pressure. 

If you have elevated pressure in your eyes, it is a good idea to try to lower the pressure before your ophthalmologist suggests the use of an eye stent. Drinking plenty of water and controlling blood pressure can help you. Your eye doctor may also have some good suggestions so that you can maintain the health of your eyes. For more information, consider checking with a professional like those at Country Hills Eye Center.

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