Eye health: I had to share this... - Low-Carb High-Fat...

Low-Carb High-Fat (LCHF)

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Eye health

13 Replies

I had to share this revelation. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with an unusual type of glaucoma. I've been unable to tolerate any glaucoma medication.

Glaucoma is a situation where your eye pressures are too high and it starts to irreversibly destroy the optic nerve, ultimately resulting in total blindness. Progression is slowed or halted by lowering eye pressures to a safe level, usually 20 or less. At times mine were as high as 50, which will make you blind in a matter of days.

I've undergone 12 eye operations with varying degrees of success. As I stood earlier this year, one eye was deemed safe, the other eye still too high and needing another operation.

Then in April I had a heart attack. The subsequent blood thinners preventing an eye operation, so I've been frequently monitored.

So I went on a haphazard diet and was losing weight, but man, I was hungry a lot. It didn't make any difference to my eye pressures disappointingly. Then at the start of this month I discovered keto. I had an eye check up yesterday and my pressure had fell 25% in my bad eye. The doc was confused and asked if I had "massaged my eye" (this is something I can do to temporarily lower my eye pressure because of one of the procedures I have had done). He couldn't quite believe the result, and neither could I.

Outcome is that I will continue to be monitored closely but so far it appears another operation will not be necessary.

Quite remarkable.

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13 Replies
Lytham profile image
Lytham

That's AMAZING, so pleased for you! :-) x

Penel profile image
Penel

Great result Supafil.

Had to have a google and found this scientific paper on the befits of low carb diets and glaucoma.

nature.com/articles/s41433-...

in reply toPenel

That's a great find and a good read. I think one of the conclusions has to be "much more research required". I have another checkup in 2 months, I'll be keen to observe any changes.

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

That is great. Congratulations.

I’m on another website and there was someone with type 2 diabetes who needed injections into their eyes for macular neuropathy, who after embracing the low carb/higher fat way of life found the condition improved and the injections were no longer necessary. I know it’s a different condition to yours but the power of finding/eating the right diet is amazing and stories like yours give hope for natural resolutions to medical conditions.

in reply toAnnieW55

I think it was Dr Wheat Belly who said there is nothing that affects your health more than the food you put in your mouth. I think he is probably right.

TheAwfulToad profile image
TheAwfulToadAmbassador

Wow. That's unexpected, but in a good way!

I try not to represent LCHF as a cure-all for everything, but honestly, when I hear stories like that, it makes me wonder how much of this sort of thing is diet-related. It could be just "reversion to the mean", but it's certainly an odd coincidence.

in reply toTheAwfulToad

I'm trying not to get too excited until I can confirm a trend over several months, but when the doc says that I no longer need the operation at that level, I can't help but do a happy dance.

Cosmo501 profile image
Cosmo501

That's great news! To avoid an operation would be wonderful!

Have you found low carb helps your health generally in other ways too?

Would love to read any update about your eye health in future too :-)

in reply toCosmo501

I suffer from peripheral neuropathy but only when I'm on meds or stressed. I've been on keto for about a month and it has really flared up, but similarly I can tell that I'm struggling to stay hydrated so I wonder if it is an electrolyte imbalance. I'm pushing through and I seem to have passed the peak pain period. So I can't say I'm feeling much better yet, but I am expecting to see an improvement in the coming weeks.

Cosmo501 profile image
Cosmo501 in reply to

Good idea to make sure your hydration and electrolytes are optimal. Personally I find it very easy to quickly get off balance, and have adverse consequences! Only then do I realise what I have/haven't done!

Good luck for the coming weeks. Hope you've got all the medical support you need, and don't forget there will always be supportive people around the forum too.

I'll look forward to hearing how you get on!

in reply toCosmo501

I'll post back with updates. I'll know more on the eyes in around 2 months.

Wow that’s amazing. Anything that you can do to avoid medical intervention has got to be a good thing. Fantastic x

gonnadoitnow profile image
gonnadoitnow

This is a slightly weird story but I have a friend who had to have a check up for a her bowels. She needed a lift home from the hospital because she was told any tampering with the bowels can affect the eyesight!

Talk about gut instincts! That phrase must come from somewhere!

Good luck to you. May you continue to be op free.

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