Glaucoma refers to increased intraocular pressure caused by an imbalance between production and outflow of fluid. The high pressure inside the eyeball presses on the optic nerve, and can cause structural damage to the optic nerve head. This disease must be treated promptly because damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed and may lead to blindness.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form. Many patients do not notice any symptoms until partial vision has been lost. This type of glaucoma is usually painless but it is progressive due to the constant damage to the blood vessels supplying the optic nerve. Closed-angle glaucoma is less common but it is noticeable because of the spasmodic eye pain and disturbed vision. Prompt medical attention is crucial.

The earlier glaucoma is detected, the less damage it will do. If you have family history of glaucoma, regular intra-ocular pressure checks are crucial. Your optometrist can perform these.
Modern medicine treats glaucoma with beta-blocking agent eye drop, pills and laser surgery. Traditional Chinese Medicine employs a completely different strategy. According to TCM, eye disorders manifest from liver disorder, because eyes are the orifices of the liver. The healthy function of the eye is closely related to the healthy function of the liver.

The physiological and biochemical function of the liver is systemic detoxification. According to TCM, the liver’s energetic function is to store blood, to ensure the smooth flow of body energy. It’s energetic meridian starts from the big toe and goes up to the eyes. The liver also houses the soul, which is why the eyes are referred to as the windows of the soul.

The energetic relationship of the liver to the eyes is that the liver nourishes the eyes with liver blood and liver yin, the essence of the human body, which is produced by the bone marrow. However, it needs to be supported by adequate rest and relaxation. The liver is an active organ that produces much ‘heat’. If you constantly overwork, stay up late, drink alcohol, and are highly stressed, your liver will overheat. The overheated liver delivers fire along its energetic channel; fire goes upwards and pushes pressure to the eyes and head, causing diseases like glaucoma, chronic migraine headache, or dizziness. Systemically, it affects blood pressure, cholesterol, and emotional wellbeing. If a person has a genetic weakness of the eye tissue, or a family history of glaucoma, serious diseases will settle in the eyes.
The liver is the also the organ that stores anger. Constant anger, chronic suppression of anger, and frustration all affect the eyes.

To prevent glaucoma, the liver function must be well maintained. Apart from regular checkups, regular liver detox and liver support program are helpful, but each individual case requires a different liver detox program.

The liver has a close physiological connection with bowel function. The majority of Australians I treat do not have a healthy functioning bowel. Many need laxatives or medicinal fibers to aid elimination. If your bowel movements are irregular, you must work on your bowel because if it is not functioning properly, the liver suffers. Bowel and liver toxicity are the major cause of several degenerative diseases in the west.

I find the combination of acupuncture, herbs, nutritional compounds and lifestyle corrections produce the best results in treating glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, seek help from a qualified acupuncturist as soon as possible. However, first check whether the practitioner is experienced in treating eye diseases. Some acupuncture needles go close to your eyes, but an experienced acupuncturist is very good with them. The main function of acupuncture is to reduce liver fire and regulate liver energy flow to ensure the energy is not blocked and stagnant.
Chinese herbs such as Mori Albae, Chrysanthemi, deep-sea pearl, Gentianae, Long Dan Cao, and Bupleuri Cai Hu are commonly prescribed with acupuncture treatment. I also use bio-nutritional medicine including alpha lipoic acid, bilberry herb, folic acid, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin B1 and evening primrose oil to support the traditional Chinese treatment. These nutritional compounds help to maintain collagen integrity, lessen free radical damage to the tissue and reduce intraocular pressure.

If you have glaucoma, you should be aware that your symptoms get worse with increased level of stress, either physical stress such as overwork, late nights, flying, illness, or emotional stress such as anger, frustration, depression, sadness, fighting. During times of stress, apart from trying your best to cope, I recommend that you to use nerve support herbs such as siberian ginseng, licorice, kava kava, panax and withania.

This article was first published in the magazine “Nature and Health”