Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world—“it” being glaucoma. Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve in your eyes is progressively damaged, often due to excessive pressure caused by fluid buildup. This damage can lead to vision loss, starting with peripherals and eventually affecting the rest of your eyes.
In the United States, it's estimated that roughly three million people have glaucoma - but about half of them don't realize they have the disease because of the lack of early symptoms. So how can one be proactive and reduce their risk of glaucoma?
Understanding Glaucoma and Its Causes
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eyes to the brain. This damage is often caused by high pressure in the eyes due to excess fluid buildup.
There are different types of glaucoma, but all share this common characteristic.
- Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common type, where the drainage angle in the eye becomes less efficient over time.
- Angle-closure glaucoma: This type occurs when the iris is close to the drainage angle, causing it to block and prevent fluid from draining properly.
- Normal-tension glaucoma: In this type, there is no obvious pressure build-up in the eyes, but damage to the optic nerve still occurs.
The exact cause of glaucoma is still not fully understood, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease. These include:
- Age: The risk of glaucoma increases as you get older, with the majority of cases occurring in people over 60 years old.
- Family history: If you have a family member with glaucoma, your chances of developing it are higher.
- Ethnicity: People of African-American, Hispanic, and Asian descent are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing glaucoma.
Ways To Reduce Developing Glaucoma
While there is no surefire way to avoid glaucoma, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing it.
1. Eating A Diet Rich In Vegetables
Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens is not only good for overall health and well-being, but these foods are also beneficial to our eyes.Fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids, which benefit our vision health.
Foods rich in vitamins A and C - such as cabbage, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, celery, carrots, peaches, radishes, green beans, and beets - have also been shown to boost our eye health and aid in reducing the risk of glaucoma. (Click here totake a look at some other fruits and vegetables that keep our eyes healthy.)
While consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables is ideal, some specific ones to focus on for preventing glaucoma include:
- Green leafy vegetables: These are packed with nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been linked to reducing the risk of developing glaucoma. Some examples include spinach, kale, collard greens, and broccoli.
- Carrots: These are high in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A - an essential nutrient for maintaining healthy eyesight. Carrots also contain lycopene, another important antioxidant that helps protect our vision.
- Berries: Blueberries and blackberries are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which can help reduce inflammation and protect against cell damage in the eyes.
2. Taking Vitamin Supplements
Aside from a healthy diet, it can also be beneficial to take vitamin supplements to prevent glaucoma. Research has shown that certain vitamins and minerals can help reduce glaucoma risk or slow its progression. These include:
- Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that can protect against cellular damage in the eyes. Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as oranges, bell peppers, and broccoli.
- Vitamin E: Another antioxidant that can help protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as almonds, spinach, and avocado.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: These have anti-inflammatory properties and can help maintain healthy blood flow to the eyes. Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as salmon, sardines, and walnuts.
- Omega-6 fatty acids: These can also have anti-inflammatory effects and may help reduce IOP (intraocular pressure). Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and olive oil.
- Magnesium: A mineral that has been shown to help lower IOP. Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as leafy greens, nuts, and seeds.
- Zinc: A mineral that can help support healthy vision and reduce the risk of developing AMD. Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds.
- Ginkgo biloba: An herbal supplement that may increase blood flow to the eyes and improve nerve function, potentially helping to prevent or slow glaucoma progression.
- Resveratrol: A natural compound found in red grapes and berries, resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties that may benefit those with glaucoma.
- Mirtogenol: A combination of French maritime pine bark extract and bilberry extract, this supplement has been shown to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation in the eyes
- Vitamin B3: Also known as niacin, this vitamin has been linked to reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and may help protect against glaucoma. Can be found in supplement form or by consuming foods such as tuna, chicken, and peanuts.
These nutritional supplements can be taken in addition to a healthy diet, but it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement routine.
3. Knowing Your Family's Eye Health History.
If a relative has glaucoma, you're more likely to develop it yourself. Always mention your family history to an eye doctor to ensure that you're getting the eye screenings you need to catch glaucoma early on. Doctors may also prescribe eye drops to help protect your eyes from pressure-related damage to help keep glaucoma symptoms at bay.
4. Exercising (Safely).
Regular, moderate exercise may not just help keep your body in healthy shape - it may also help prevent glaucoma by reducing eye pressure. Depending on your age and health, however, you may need to take precautions before exercising - there's no reason to put an unhealthy strain on your heart, joints, or other problem areas. That's why working with a doctor to develop an exercise routine specifically tailored to your limitations is recommended to help reduce the risk of glaucoma.
5. Regular Eye Exams
One of the best ways to stay on top of your eye health and detect any potential issues early on is by scheduling regular eye exams with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. These exams can help identify any abnormalities in our eyes, including increased intraocular pressure (IOP) - a major risk factor for glaucoma. Early detection and treatment can help prevent or slow down the progression of glaucoma, making regular eye exams crucial for maintaining healthy vision. It's recommended to get an eye exam every 1-2 years or more frequently as recommended by your doctor.
Protect Your Vision with Everett-Hurite
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. While there is no known cure, taking preventative measures such as maintaining a healthy diet, taking vitamin supplements, knowing your family's eye health history, exercising safely, and scheduling regular eye exams can all help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma or slow its progression.
Addressing and diagnosing any issues with glaucoma, or starting treatment options early, will save many glaucoma patients a lot of stress before symptoms become worse.Everett and Hurite's staff can assist you with questions and any other eye concerns you may have.Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Frequently Asked Questions
How is glaucoma treated?
Glaucoma treatment options may include medications, laser therapy, or surgery. The specific treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of glaucoma. Some treatments aim to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), while others focus on improving eye blood flow or protecting retinal ganglion cells from damage.
Can metabolic optic neuropathy cause glaucoma?
Metabolic optic neuropathy is not a direct cause of glaucoma, but it may increase the risk of developing the eye condition. This type of neuropathy can lead to decreased ocular blood flow, which is a known risk factor for glaucoma.
How does mitochondrial dysfunction affect glaucoma?
Mitochondrial dysfunction, which is the impairment of cellular energy production, has been linked to glaucoma. This is because retinal ganglion cells, the nerve cells responsible for sending visual information from the eye to the brain, require a lot of energy and are sensitive to any disruptions in mitochondrial function.
