Glaucoma: The Body’s Call for Pressure and Perception
Glaucoma is the body’s way of expressing congestion and imbalance within the visual system. The increased pressure within the eye, which can lead to vision changes or loss, is not an isolated malfunction but a signal that the body’s internal fluids are not circulating freely. Rather than being a random disease of the eye, glaucoma represents systemic obstruction — a reflection of the body’s struggle to maintain balance, clarity, and flow.
From a Natural Hygiene perspective, glaucoma develops when the channels of elimination become clogged and the vital fluids thicken with waste. The eye, being one of the most sensitive organs, mirrors this internal condition. The aqueous humour — the clear fluid that nourishes the lens and cornea — must circulate continuously. When the blood and lymph are overloaded with impurities from rich foods, stimulants, and chronic stress, drainage slows, and pressure builds. The body uses this increased pressure to try to force circulation, but the result is discomfort and distortion of vision.
The true cause lies in systemic toxemia — the accumulation of waste from unnatural living. A diet heavy in animal fats, salt, and cooked starches thickens the blood and lymph, while dehydration from caffeine and alcohol further restricts flow. The body, unable to eliminate fully through the liver, kidneys, and skin, redirects the pressure toward the finer tissues such as the eyes. Glaucoma, therefore, is not simply an eye disorder; it is the symptom of a congested terrain.
Healing begins by reducing the load on the body and restoring the free movement of fluids. Fasting or a period of fruit cleansing gives the eliminative organs the rest they need to purify the bloodstream. Juicy fruits like grapes, oranges, and melons thin the lymph and help dissolve waste deposits. Leafy greens supply minerals that strengthen circulation, while hydration ensures that the eyes remain nourished and clear.
Equally important is rest — not only physical, but visual and emotional. Constant stimulation from screens, bright lights, and tension around the eyes strains the optic nerves. Spending time in natural light, gazing at distant horizons, and practising deep breathing ease pressure throughout the head. Emotional release also matters, as repressed frustration and inner pressure often parallel the physical buildup in the eyes.
Glaucoma reminds us to release — to let go of control, strain, and fear. When we stop forcing and begin flowing, pressure within the body and mind begins to subside. The eyes clear as the whole organism regains its natural balance. Vision, in every sense, becomes sharper — not only the sight of the outer world, but the inner seeing that comes with harmony and stillness.