Glaucoma is a disease of wasting of the optic nerve and the retinal nerve fibers which feed it. With clogging of the drainage sites for the eye fluid, the pressure may rise. However, eye pressure alone does not make for the diagnosis of glaucoma.  It is really the health of the blood supply to the back of the eye that supplies those nerve fibers carrying the image from the retinal receptors through the optic nerve to the brain.  Reduced blood supply in relationship to the pressure of the fluids inside of the eye will cause a drop out in nerve fibers giving a characteristic picture of optic nerve thinning. 



We have two involuntary nervous systems, the parasympathetic and the sympathetic systems. When there is a disturbance in the balance between them, that’s when we experience chronic stress.  The parasympathetic nervous system controls the relaxation response and slows the heart rate; the sympathetic (or adrenaline) nervous system controls the anxiety response, speeding the heart rate and breathing.  In some cases each response is necessary, which is why we have dual nervous system wiring.  If a mugger is chasing you down the street, you want your sympathetic (adrenaline) nervous system to go into high gear and get you out of there.  After you escape to safety, however, you don’t want your heart to continue pounding or to remain in a state of high anxiety.  Then, your parasympathetic nervous system takes over, relaxing you, and slowing your heart rate and breathing.  With sustained imbalance between these two nervous systems, diseases like glaucoma can develop.  We know chronic stress is not good for health in general. That’s why it’s extremely important to learn how to deal with stress through rhythmic, exercise meditation or other stress-busters.



Stressed people often hold their breath; carbon dioxide then builds up in their bloodstreams; the venous backflow in the head increases; fluid in the eye does not exit as easily as it does in a relaxed person; and, as a result, eye pressure can increase.



While the exact reason for how glaucoma damages the optic nerve is unknown, it is clear that all types of glaucoma are due to the lack of blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.



If you are at risk for developing glaucoma, take that risk seriously. Glaucoma is the second-most important cause of blindness in the United States (after diabetic retinopathy). If glaucoma is detected early and treated properly, blindness can be prevented.

Dr. Abel