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Can Ginger Tea Be Taken To Lower Eye Pressure?

Posted on Mon, 31 Aug 2015

Question: Can I possibly use ginger tea to lower eye pressure? Recent reading showed 21 for both eyes, and I'm worried...

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This requires glaucoma evaluation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic

I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.

I reviewed your history.
Ginger is a rich source of antioxidants and is helpful for providing good eye health.
However its direct effect on lowering intraocular pressure is not known.

The intraocular pressure of 21 definitely requires evaluation to rule out glaucoma.
Hence I would like to advise investigations like visual field testing.
If the visual field test is abnormal treatment needs to be started for glaucoma. If visual field is normal then regular follow up is required.
Hence I advice you to go for evaluation by a glaucoma specialist.

Along with this evaluation you can ginger tea as additional nutritional supplement.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)

Hi Dr Dadapeer,

thanks for the prompt reply.
I will shortly do a visual field checkup and an OCT as indicated by a doctor in my country. Have just not done it because of lack of time...
I do however have a big scare: are eyedrops for glaucoma easy to use? I have read that they can have a lot of side-effects, and I've been using an SSRI (citalopram) for the last years -- are they likely to interact with any drops?
Is laser surgery also a common indication for relieving high IOP?

Ah, before a forget: is it safe to use artificial tears drops in the meantime? I spent lot of time in front of the computer...Are some better than other?

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Artificial tears eye drops can be used safely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

I reviewed your history.
You need to get done the visual field test and OCT as advised by your doctor.

The eye drops for glaucoma are simple and can be used easily and no need to be worried. The side effects of the recent drugs are almost nil.
These eye drops can be used with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and these will not cause any interaction.

Laser surgery is usually required angle closure glaucoma and in your case this does not appear to be the case.

Artificial tears eye drops can be used safely now, you need to use preservative free artificial tears like Refresh tears and these are better.

Hope this answers your questions.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (19 hours later)

Hi doctor Dadapeer, thanks for the reply.

One more question: I discovered yesterday that curcumin, the main ingredient in curry, also seems able to regulate the eye pressure -- since you're probably from XXXXXXX and well acquainted with curry- is this something worth pursueing?
Anyway, I've started taking it today, 500mg powder added to regular food, hope this will also be a step in the right direction...

Thanks!!

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no harm in taking it with regular food.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

The curry is an ayurvedic medicine used in XXXXXXX It is known to have beneficial effect on controlling blood pressure and also on intraocular pressure.

There is no harm in taking it together with regular food.

Hope this answers your question.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj