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Published on: January 26, 2018
Complementary therapy for the treatment of glaucoma: a perspective
1Glaucoma Associates of New York, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, 310 East 14th Street, Suite 304, New York, NY 10003, USA. ritchmd@earthlink.net
Ophthalmology Clinics of North America
|November 30, 2005
Summary
Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) shows potential for treating glaucoma by improving ocular blood flow and offering neuroprotection, unlike traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm its therapeutic value in this chronic eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Glaucoma treatment traditionally focuses on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Neuroprotective strategies are used for various nervous system disorders but not yet for glaucoma.
- Traditional medicine and plant-derived compounds offer neuroprotection and balanced therapy with fewer side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential therapeutic value of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) in treating glaucoma.
- To investigate GBE's non-IOP-dependent mechanisms relevant to glaucoma management.
- To highlight GBE as a promising complementary agent for glaucoma.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Ginkgo biloba extract and its properties.
- Theoretical analysis of GBE's potential benefits in non-IOP-dependent glaucoma mechanisms.
- Discussion of the challenges in conducting clinical trials for plant-derived compounds in chronic diseases.
Main Results:
- Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) possesses multiple beneficial properties including increased ocular blood flow, antioxidant activity, and neuroprotection.
- These properties theoretically support GBE's use in addressing non-IOP-dependent aspects of glaucoma.
- GBE is currently the best-documented complementary agent with significant potential for glaucoma treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) demonstrates considerable potential as a therapeutic agent for glaucoma.
- Its multifaceted actions, particularly neuroprotection and enhanced ocular blood flow, are highly relevant to glaucoma management.
- Further research and clinical trials are warranted to validate GBE's efficacy in treating glaucoma.
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