Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, affecting nearly 60 million people. While there is no cure, several recent studies show that lifestyle factors may influence eye pressure, which is a major risk factor for the disease. The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers advice that may help minimize the risk of losing vision, beyond drugs and surgery.
Regular exercise tops the list. A recent study showed that people who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity appear to have a 73 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Blood flow and pressure inside the eye may change with exercise, which may affect glaucoma risk.
Another study showed that people who ate more leafy vegetables have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Nitrates in green vegetables can be converted to nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and help regulate pressure inside the eye. Consuming tea and supplementing with magnesium have also been linked with benefits for glaucoma. Likewise, avoiding diabetes is key, as it is a risk factor for glaucoma.
Other actions to consider include maintaining good oral care and avoiding smoking. Most importantly, regular screening for glaucoma is advised, especially if there is a family history of the condition. Presence of certain genes have been associated with an increased risk of glaucoma, as well as African descent.
“Some patients say that they feel powerless against a disease like glaucoma,” said Davinder Grover, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “By offering information about lifestyle factors, we hope to help empower them to live their lives in a way that will have the greatest positive impact on this disease, and improve their quality of life immediately.”
Source: American Academy of Optometry