GLAUCOMA: YOUR EYES UNDER PRESSURE
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damages eye optic nerve, optic nerve root and retina. The damage can result in progressive vision loss and blindness. Millions of Americans have chronic open-angle glaucoma, and many conditions go undiagnosed. There is often no symptom or no associated pain. Visual acuity is not usually affected until late in the disease. As the disease progresses, blind spots develop in your peripheral (side) vision. Most people with open-angle glaucoma do not notice any change in their vision until the damage is quite severe.1
Glaucoma is generally associated with higher pressure in the eye caused by fluid build up. An increase of intraocular pressure of the aqueous humor (watery fluid) is often the cause of this nerve damage. In a healthy eye, the fluid drains into the bloodstream at a constant rate. In this condition, the fluid does not drain, and the pressure that builds up damages the optic nerve. If the damage continues, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. Without proper treatment, glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years.
There are several types of glaucoma:
- Open-angle – the most common type, often due to high eye pressure, no initial symptoms. Causes gradual loss of peripheral vision.
- Normal tension – eye pressure is normal but damages the optic nerve anyway.
- Angle-closure – sudden increase in eye pressure due to blocked fluid drainage, causes sudden severe pain, nausea, redness of the eyes, blurred vision, this is a medical emergency, seek medical attention immediately.
- Congenital glaucoma – a birth defect in the eye that slows normal fluid drainage, effectively treated with prompt surgery.
STANDARD WESTERN MEDICAL TREATMENT
There is currently no cure for glaucoma. Modern pharmaceuticals cannot restore any vision loss caused by the disease. Treatments include medicines, laser surgery, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these. The most common standard western treatment is eye drops to reduce intraocular eye pressure. Eye drops may reduce the likelihood of optic nerve damage and vision loss. Side effects of eye drops for glaucoma are stinging, red eyes, red skin around the eyes, changes in heartbeat, changes in breathing, and blurred vision2. Conventional surgery can have very serious side effects including cataract, problems with the cornea, inflammation, infection inside the eye, or low eye pressure problems, and may cause more severe vision loss side effects3.
CAN ACUPUNCTURE EYE THERAPY STOP FURTHER DAMAGE?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) works to regulate the circulation of fluids and blood without damaging the eye. It can be quite successful, especially if the patient is treated in the early stages of open-angle glaucoma to preserve the health and function of the optic nerve and other eye structures. Acupuncture may be beneficial for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) and may help to reduce the amount of medication needed to control IOP. If intraocular pressure is uncontrollable with medication or individuals are intolerant to eye pressure medication, then acupuncture can help to regulate eye pressure. It is important to find and address the root causes and contributing factors of glaucoma to fully address causes.
OUR TREATMENTS TO HELP IMPROVE IMPAIRED VISUAL FUNCTION OF OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA
Our Northern Virginia acupuncture clinic provides integrative natural approach to activate the cells to enhance functions of visual system. We utilize traditional acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional support, and special eye acupuncture techniques called Micro Acupuncture™ and AcuNova to treat open-angle glaucoma. Treatment course consists of 10-20 treatments.
How Micro Acupuncture Work?
Micro AcupunctureTM is a procedure involving newly discovered acupuncture points located only in the hands and feet, and not associated with any other traditional acupuncture system. These acu-vision points were discovered by Dr. Andy Freddy Dahlgren and researched by Dr. Dahlgren and Dr. Per G. Otte. More than 5,000 people have been treated with this procedure throughout Europe, and over 10,000 people have benefited from Micro Acupuncture™ treatment in the US. Significant numbers of the patients treated have reported marked improvements in their eyesight.
Note: No needle goes into the eye.
Dr. Kevin Kim is a licensed acupuncturist and a NCCAOM diplomate of Oriental Medicine. He has studied extensively in the field of Chinese Medicine Ophthalmology. In addition, he has received trainings from leading acupuncture experts in the field of degenerative eye conditions using Micro AcupunctureTM and AcuNova. Dr. Kim has received extensive training and certified in Micro AcupunctureTM to treat degenerative eye conditions. There are currently only a limited number of acupuncturists throughout the world that are certified to perform the procedures
Although the patients report improvement in their visual system function with acupuncture eye therapy, it is important for patients to understand that the Acupuncture Eye Therapy is not a cure for glaucoma, but it is a process to help maintain and/or enhance the visual function. Acupuncture is a safe option for glaucoma treatment and can have fewer side effects than some conventional treatments. [Learn More About Our Treatment]
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