Get moving! There is strong evidence that aerobic exercise lowers eye pressure and benefits overall cardiovascular health. Greater physical activity is also associated with slower visual field loss in glaucoma, according to a study published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, people experiencing the condition can enjoy a normal, active, and fulfilling life by keeping the condition under control to slow or prevent vision loss.
Given this information, when patients ask what they can do on their own to minimize their chances of losing vision from glaucoma, I advise them to: Do some aerobic exercise; limit cigarette smoking; try to eat a diet high in antioxidants and low in fat; avoid excessive caffeine; avoid head-down positions, especially if ...
Aerobic Exercise: Definitely
If it's good for your heart, it's good for glaucoma. If it's good for your brain, it's good for glaucoma.” Dr. Ritch advises 45 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week.
This includes inverted yoga positions (and headstands) or using inversion tables. Something else to be careful of is any activity during which you are likely to hold your breath and exert yourself, such as lifting heavy weights or playing a high-resistance wind instrument like an oboe or trumpet.
In addition to avoiding caffeine, saturated fats, trans fatty acids, and salt in your daily diet, glaucoma patients should also consider avoiding any foods they're allergic to. Some of these lifestyle choices might be difficult to make, but they're more than worth it when maintaining eye health.
If your eyes become tired with prolonged concentration, you can rest them periodically - but please don't worry that you have done them any harm. Similarly, longer distance viewing such as driving, watching TV or going to the movies does not harm your eyes.
Here's the dish: Fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and halibut contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which research suggests may help reduce the risk of developing eye disease later in life. Additionally, eating more omega-3s has been shown to decrease glaucoma-related pressure in the eye.
Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.
Maintaining a healthy weight, controlling your blood pressure, being physically active, and avoiding smoking will help you avoid vision loss from glaucoma. These healthy behaviors will also help prevent type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Dark Chocolate
Even if your Dove bar doesn't sharpen your vision, the flavonoids found in dark chocolate may help improve vision in people with glaucoma as well as reduce the risk for macular degeneration. But consume in moderation, or you'll have other health issues to worry about!
Absolutely. The aim of treating patients with glaucoma is for them to be able to maintain their quality of life and live as normally as possible. Patients with glaucoma have a normal life expectancy and, with treatment, can carry out activities as they did before diagnosis.
People over age 60 are at increased risk for the disease. African Americans, however, are at increased risk after age 40. The risk of developing glaucoma increases slightly with each year of age.
Untreated glaucoma can lead to the faster development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Treatments can slow down additional vision loss, but they can't restore lost vision. It's important to see an eye doctor right away if you have eye pain, severe headaches or vision problems.
From a glaucoma viewpoint, there are no dietary or drinking habits that increase the risk of the disease. Drinking a bottle of water very quickly does raise eye pressure, so we recommend you drink slowly to avoid this. Eating a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is a good health habit.
Sipping a mug of piping hot tea on a cold day doesn't just warm you up—it may also protect your vision.
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to visual field loss. One of the major risk factors is eye pressure. An abnormality in the eye's drainage system can cause fluid to build up, leading to excessive pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.
One study showed that patients with glaucoma taking a supplement that included magnesium—along with homotaurine, carnosine, forskolin, folic acid, and vitamins B1, B2, and B6—demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in IOP, as well as improved light and contrast sensitivity.
The most common treatment for glaucoma is prescription eye drops. They work by lowering the pressure in your eye and preventing damage to your optic nerve. These eye drops won't cure glaucoma or reverse vision loss, but they can keep glaucoma from getting worse.
Unfortunately, we don't know of any pair of glasses that can protect your eye health from further glaucoma damage. However, there are glasses that could help you deal with the effects of glaucoma on your daily life.
Treating glaucoma
Though not a glaucoma risk factor, excessive computer use is not encouraged. Dry eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light are some of the most common symptoms of constant computer use, and these can exacerbate glaucoma symptoms.
Research has shown that regular exercise may lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. It does not have to be rigorous exercise to have a beneficial effect, but rather a brisk walk every other day for 20 to 30 minutes.