"Palm Pressure Therapy"

A decade ago, Dr. Somkiat Athikhomkulcha, M.D, an ophthalmologist specializing in Glaucoma and Retinal Diseases, founded "Palm Pressure Therapy (PPT for short).  PPT is a revolutionary treatment for Glaucoma and Retinal diseases that focus on improving the retinal circulatory system and increasing axoplasmic flow.

PPT combines the practices of Ayurveda and Thai massage to improve ocular blood flow, lower the intraocular pressure, and restore vision. In healthy eyes, regularly applying PPT protects the eye from developing Glaucoma and the retinal diseases mentioned below.

In 2004, Dr. Athikhomkulcha began applying PPT to his patients who suffer from Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG or chronic Glaucoma) and some other retinal diseases, e.g.:
  1. Retinitis Pigmentosa
  2. Age-related macular degeneration ( dry type )
  3. Central serous chorioretinopathy
  4. Central and Branch retinal vein occlusion
  5. Central and Branch retinal artery occlusion
From 2004 to the present, Dr. Athikhomkulcha has improved the vision and arrested the diseases for over 10,000 patients.  When PPT correctly performed, it can improve vision acuity, visual field, and halt the progression of Glaucoma and some retinal diseases.

The clinical improvements in the Glaucoma and Retinal disease patients following Palm Pressure Therapy include:
  1. Clearer and sharper vision
  2. Improved contrast sensitivity
  3. Improved vision in low light environment
  4. Light appears brighter
  5. Colors appear more radiant
  6. Stopping progression of the disease
  7. Improved score on visual acuity and visual field tests as long as the axons are still alive.
Approximately 90 % of the patients that incorporate PPT as part of their treatment plans have their vision improved to certain degrees. Apply PPT in conjunction with the prescription drugs enhances the efficacy of the drugs.  Therefore, a lesser dosage of the prescription drug is required.  Periodic eye assessment is imperative for a possible reduction of drugs as the condition improves.

Do not practice PPT if you have Closed Angle Glaucoma (acute Glaucoma).

You must have an assessment with the Ophthalmologist before practicing PPT.

Here are the steps of practicing PPT:
  1. Body position: Any position that a person feels comfortable and relaxed (sitting, standing or lying down). If sitting in front of a table, you can rest the elbows on the table while practicing PPT.  Lying down while applying PPT seems to yield a better result, according to some patient reports.
  2. Remove glasses and contact lenses.
  3. Close both eyes and relax.
  4. Raise both arms and place the soft bottom fourth of each palm touching the corresponding closed eye.  Make sure that only the soft bottom fourth of the hand touches the eye, and no other parts of the hand touch the head.

  5. Gently apply even, and firm pressure toward the entire eyes including the surrounding socket until some patterns of light appear. Never apply enough pressure to cause pain.  Do not rub or massage the eye.


  6. Do not add any more pressure to the eyes after the light appears.  Maintain the position and the pressure applied for 2 1/2 minutes.  This time frame yields an optimal result, but there is no harm if you happen to practice PPT a bit longer.

    Note: remember the amount of pressure applied.  Consequently, the brain can adjust to the pressure, and you may not notice the light.

  7. After 2 1/2 minutes, slowly release the pressure and remove both hands while keeping the eyes closed.
  8. Open both eyes after approximately 30 seconds. The vision should be blurred immediately after opening the eyes and adjust back to normal subsequently.  If no blurred vision occurs, either changing the hand position or increase palm pressure and try again.
  9. For optimal results, perform PPT at least 10 times or more a day, but not more than once per hour.
Most patients have some degrees of vision improvement within 1-3 months.  Once the vision improves to your satisfaction, do not stop PPT as it continues to help maintain the condition.  However, you may reduce the frequency of PPT to less than 10 times per day.

For people who do not have any eye diseases, practicing PPT 2 1/2 minutes,  2 times a day prevent Chronic Glaucoma and the retinal diseases previously mentioned.

Practicing PPT correctly by following the above instruction can play a vital role in healing. There should not be any pain associated with practicing PPT during or after each session.  If you experience pain, re-adjust the hand position and relieve some palm pressure to the eyes.  If the pain persists, stop practicing PPT and assess the underlying problem with the Ophthalmologist.