Glaucoma has long been defined by intraocular pressure — but a growing body of research shows that many patients continue to lose vision even when their pressure is beautifully controlled. Why? In this episode, host Priya Menon sits down with Dr. Saikumar Gandapodi, Board-Certified Doctor of Oriental Medicine, practitioner of Ayurvedic Medicine, and Founder and Director of Netra Eye Institute, to explore one of the most compelling frontiers in modern eye care: ocular blood flow and vascular dysregulation.

Together they unpack the science of optic nerve perfusion, endothelial dysfunction, Flammer Syndrome, oxidative stress, mitochondrial fragility, and the neurotrophic decline that leaves retinal ganglion cells vulnerable. Dr. Gandapodi translates concepts from vascular biology, functional medicine, and network pharmacology into an accessible framework — explaining where conventional, pressure-focused management is powerful, where it can fall short, and where adjunct, systems-based strategies may add value.

This is not a conversation about replacing surgery or medication. It is an evidence-informed exploration of the broader biological environment surrounding the optic nerve — from the gut-eye axis to Ginkgo biloba trials — and how Netra Restoration Therapy approaches glaucoma as a multifactorial, whole-person condition. Balanced, rigorous, and forward-looking, this episode is essential listening for patients and clinicians alike.