Dr. Joan Delyse Waters

Northern Colorado's Naturopathic Gastro Doctor Serving Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley, Loveland and surrounding areasCall 970-482-2010 or click here to reserve your space. 

We are located upstairs in the Wellness Center at 3950 JFK Parkway Dr #2 Fort Collins, CO  80525

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. 

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of vision loss and blindness in the US.  It causes damage to the optic nerve.  This damage may or may not be accompanied by increased ocular pressure.  Most of us adults have experience the air puff test which tests our intra-ocular pressure.  A more sensitive test for glaucoma is the measurement of corneal thickness, called pachymetry.

Most often, early in the disease process, there are no symptoms.  Later, peripheral vision (vision to the side) is affected which can progress to tunnel vision and eventually to loss of forward vision as well.  Less commonly, the onset may be sudden.  This is often the case when one develops acute or narrow angle glaucoma.  Symptoms of this type of glaucoma may include sudden visual disturbances, red eyes,
halos around objects, severe eye pain, dilated pupils and sometimes nausea or vomiting.  This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency.

The Fort Collins Food Coop carries several products that may be used to protect your eye health. Astaxanthin is a potent carotenoid that scavenges free radicals in the eye, protecting these tissues from oxidative damage.  Lutein, found in leafy green vegetables and
available as a supplement at the coop, is another carotenoid that also acts as an antioxidant, as do vitamins C and E, bilberries and other bright colored fruits and vegetables.  High quality omega-3 fats contain DHA which is found in high quantities in the retina, and
has been found useful in preventing macular degeneration. 

Lifestyle strategies that protect eye health include exercising regularly, getting regular eye exams, keeping your insulin levels within normal range, avoiding sugars, minimizing grain consumption, and avoiding trans fats.

Providing you with the tools to live healthfully in this increasingly challenging world.