Glaucoma is the leading reason people over 60 lose their eyesight. Treating the eye condition typically involves eye drops to lower eye pressure and reduce damage to the all-important optic nerve. In a brief video, Dr. Robert Baritz, D.C., a Massachusetts-based chiropractor, nutritionist, herbalist, and certified acupoint physical medicine practitioner, shows how a natural therapy may support standard glaucoma treatment in reducing pressure.*

About glaucoma 

Glaucoma describes a condition in which the optic nerve becomes damaged, usually from abnormally high internal eye pressure. When diagnosed and treated early, glaucoma-related vision loss can usually be slowed or avoided altogether. Regular eye exams are key for early detection and treatment.

Lowering eye pressure is currently the only approved treatment approach for glaucoma. 

• Eye drops, medication, and/or surgery are used to lower pressure. 
• Exercise and certain nutrients, research shows, may also reduce pressure.

Unfortunately, about 15% of glaucoma patients experience blindness in one or both eyes within 20 years, despite treatment.

Acupuncture and glaucoma 

Some people are increasingly turning to complementary healing modalities to support their traditional medical treatments. For instance, several studies have demonstrated acupuncture’s ability to lower eye pressure, as well as improve ocular blood flow. 

Acupuncture involves meridians, or energy pathways through the body. Manipulating various points along these meridians, says Baritz, can affect the flow of energy (chi) to create physiological changes in the body. One study in glaucoma patients showed a significant decrease in eye pressure after manually stimulating certain acupuncture points. He recommends two in particular:

• The bladder 1 acupuncture point, also called bright eyes, on the bladder meridian, and
• The extraordinary point head/neck 7, also called behind the eyeball.

Gentle finger pressure is best for points around the eyes, Baritz says. He recommends washing your hands and trimming your nails before starting.

The bladder meridian

The bladder meridian originates near the inside of the eye, then travels over the head and down the back, connecting to the bladder and kidneys, then continuing down the leg until finally reaching the small toe. 

The bladder 1 point is situated just above each eye’s inner corner. For each eye, says Baritz:

• Apply gentle pressure to the bone with your fingertip at an upward angle toward the opposite eyebrow.
• Pulse five (5) times with your finger, rest for five (5) seconds, then repeat four (4) more times.

Activating bladder 1 may produce a sensation of heat or tingling in your eye or elsewhere along the bladder meridian. You should not feel any pressure on your eyeball. 

The extraordinary point head/neck 7

Extraordinary point head/neck 7 is located on the orbital bone (eye socket area) just below each eye’s outer edge. To positively affect each eye, Baritz says:

• Apply gentle pressure to the orbit at a downward angle heading away from the face.
• Pulse five (5) times with your fingertip, rest for five (5) seconds, then repeat four (4) more times.

Again, no pressure should be felt on your eyeball.

A 30-day plan

“For fast results,” Baritz recommends 30 days of acupuncture point therapy consisting of three sessions per day as a complement to traditional glaucoma therapy.

• Activate bladder 1
• Activate extraordinary point head/neck 7

After 30 days, activate these points as necessary to maintain progress and stabilize results.

• Even if glaucoma is in just one eye, he advises treating both eyes for prevention.
• If both eyes are glaucomatous, he recommends starting with the eye least impacted.

This information, says Baritz, is intended to help people “keep the vision that they still have and slow or prevent further damage…Adding acupuncture point stimulation to your eye care program can help keep your eye pressure down and just might save your vision.” 

*Dr Baritz. (2022, March 31). Glaucoma Natural Treatment [Video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHG6pNgBlw8

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