Did you know that the cold weather can make your glaucoma worse? A study by the Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon found that glaucoma is worse in the cold weather, particularly for people who are in the early stages of the disease. The more extreme the weather is, the greater the impact on glaucoma.
The more extreme the weather patterns, the more the eyes are affected. This happens because oxygen particles in the air condense in cold weather, causing a slight increase in pressure in our bodies.
Most cases are caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye when fluid is unable to drain properly. This increase in pressure then damages the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve).
Cold temperatures cause the blood vessels in the eyes to constrict, and this can cause your vision to become blurry. In extreme cases, you may even see double. This is most likely to happen after you've spent several hours outdoors in freezing temperatures.
During exposure to heat there is an increase of the intraocular pressure in nonacclimatized persons. This increase is not found after heat acclimatization has been carried out.
High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.
Warm compress is best for people who struggle with dry eyes due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. By increasing blood circulation and stimulating the oil glands, warm compress allows the eyes to feel relaxed.
As the temperature drops, be on the lookout for winter eye problems including burning, dry, or itchy eyes, redness, light sensitivity, eye fatigue, the sensation of having an object in your eye, discomfort wearing contact lenses, and/or the appearance of eye mucus.
Take Action to Prevent Vision Loss
If you are in a high-risk group, get a comprehensive dilated eye exam to catch glaucoma early and start treatment. Prescription eye drops can stop glaucoma from progressing. Your eye care specialist will recommend how often to return for follow-up exams.
Age. The major risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma is age. As we get older, the drainage system no longer functions as well, and the eye pressure can gradually increase.
One of the biggest side effects of glaucoma-related photophobia is glare sensitivity that can be worsened by sunlight as well as fluorescents, LED or other artificial light. This makes it difficult for patients to perform normal activities of living such as driving at night and going outside.
Under a lot of pressure
With the eye's drainage channel completely blocked, eye pressure skyrockets in a very short amount of time. This spike often leads to intense, sudden pain in the eye that can even cause vomiting. The pain can further spread to the head, causing intermittent headaches.
Stress can interfere with your sleep, skin and digestion. But did you also know it can affect your eyes? Your eyes undergo changes such as increased intraocular pressure (IOP) when you're stressed or anxious, whether for a short time or on a regular basis.
TIRED EYES
Winter days are shorter, which means we get less light from the sun and have darker days. Less light from the sun can make certain tasks more difficult for your eyes. To avoid eye strain, make sure you are reading, writing, or working in a well-lit area.
A cold snap can cause your eyes to swell due to the constriction of blood vessels. Indeed, when it is cold outside, certain blood vessels in the body tend to let less blood through. This reduces the oxygen supply and the temperature of your eye tissues. Your eyes may become red, swell up or have eyelid spasms.
Impacts of Climate Change on Eye Health
Climate change is likely to increase the incidence of cataracts, severe allergic eye disease, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, trachoma infections, vitamin A deficiency, and eye injuries.
The highest color temperature that is safe for your eyes is generally considered to be around 6500K. This is the temperature of daylight and is believed to be the most comfortable and natural for the human eye.
Drinking a bottle of water very quickly does raise eye pressure, so we recommend you drink slowly to avoid this.
Answer: Yes, lubricating drops are completely safe for those with glaucoma and those using Latanoprost, but there are two things to keep in mind.