This World Glaucoma Week, we’ll look at the key glaucoma prevention tips that will help save your eyesight. Check what you need to do.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists glaucoma as one of the leading reasons for irreversible blindness around the world, and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) says it is the third biggest cause of blindness. Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually damages the optic nerve of the eye, and if left untreated, it can lead to blindness. Although it cannot cure glaucoma, early detection and treatment can help save your vision and prevent the progression of the disease. During this World Glaucoma Week, it is essential to raise awareness about the importance of glaucoma prevention through regular ophthalmology checkups, healthy lifestyles and protective measures.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease that can gradually damage the optic nerve over time and can peak with complete blindness before treatment. There is excessive pressure in the eyes. “The disease is gradually causing damage, but there are also some unique qualities. Patients suffering from glaucoma do not show any significant symptoms until they experience vision loss, so doctors often refer to it as “a quiet thief of vision.”
Unfortunately, loss of vision can peak blindness over time,” explains Dr. Roshan Kolaco, an eye expert with glaucoma. The disease cannot be completely cured, but if treated and managed quickly, the patient can save his vision. Also, many glaucoma prevention tips can help you avoid it in the first place.
Can you prevent glaucoma?
Yes, glaucoma may seem difficult to navigate, but if you are armed with the right knowledge, vision loss is not inevitable. One of the biggest glaucoma prevention tips is to schedule a regular test. This can help reduce the illness, especially for those in already high-risk groups. Surprisingly, improving your body’s health, actively controlling diabetes and high blood pressure, and protecting your eyes from the potential for injuries can also help reduce strains, just like developing glaucoma. If intervention is performed at the right time, the disease can be treated before it leads to complete vision loss.
5 tips to prevent glaucoma
Many useful glaucoma prevention tips can be implemented that can save the eyesight. Here’s what to do:
1. Normal eye examination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that regular eye examinations are an important part of finding eye diseases early to protect your vision. Testing can help pacing the disease and protect you from the onset of glaucoma by maintaining your overall health. Therefore, one of the most effective glaucoma prevention tips is to test your eyes.
“Regular examinations help identify high pressure and optic nerve damage, and provide easy access to appropriate treatment before it turns to blindness. People over the age of 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high myopia (negative counts), or high bimoropia (plus counts), or with high blood pressure should have a full eye test between one and two years,” says Dr. Colaco.
2. Follow a healthy eye diet
Nutritious foods can nourish the optic nerve and play a role in maintaining eye pressure. The Journal of Ophthalmology states that lowering the risk of glaucoma is associated with increased dietary intake of various nutrients, including certain foods such as vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, nitrates, and green leafy vegetables and fruits. Therefore, one of the biggest tips for preventing glaucoma is to eat healthy.
It’s rich in antioxidants so include spinach, kale and collard greens. It also improves blood flow, including sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits provide vitamin C that helps protect vulnerable eye tissues. For example, nuts and seeds, almonds and sunflower seeds are superior to the nerves due to vitamin E, which is essential to keeping neurons healthy.
3. Exercise regularly, but safely
Regular physical activity helps improve blood circulation and maintain healthy intraocular pressure. The Glaucoma Research Foundation says aerobic exercise reduces intraocular pressure (IOP). This has been found to protect retinal ganglion cells. This is one of the best glaucoma prevention tips. Regulating blood pressure and increasing drainage of eye fluids can be positively affected by the following activities, such as walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling: Yoga can also be beneficial when it does not include head-down poses like a downward-facing dog.
Flashing is also one of the best glaucoma prevention tips. The overall performance of the eye improves and focuses correctly not only near fixed (computers or other digital devices), but also at any point along the visual path of the eye, explains Dr. Korako. Another way to improve overall eye health is to perform a gaze alternative (focusing on a single point). In this way, the visual system can once again adjust itself freely, with a more natural rhythm. These exercises can be done at the end of a business day.
4. Protect your eyes from injuries and wear
Eye trauma can cause secondary glaucoma, so take all steps to prevent it. Some glaucoma prevention tips include wearing appropriate protective goggles if there are related risks, such as participating in power tools and sports activities.
5. Stress management and proper sleep
Chronic stress and poor sleep quality can increase in intraocular pressure and cause damage to the optic nerve. Therefore, the majority of glaucoma prevention is through handling stress with deep breathing, meditation, or other forms of mindfulness, to improve overall health. Develop quality and screenless sleep habits. Sleeping at head altitude can help reduce swelling around the eyes.
How does glaucoma worsen?
In patients with glaucoma, neurons in the optic nerve are gradually damaged, resulting in loss of vision. IOP (IOP) is the most important risk factor for exacerbating glaucoma damage. “Leaving unattended can lead to loss of nerve fibers worsening peripheral vision and creating unnoticed blind spots. Not only peripheral vision, but untreated glaucoma can cause loss of vision, making it impossible for your vision to be irreversible.
Glaucoma can be worsened when blood flow towards the optic nerve is insufficient due to conditions such as nocturnal hypotension, low blood pressure at night, and obstructive sleep apnea due to sleep disorders. Most patients remain asymptomatic during the early stages of glaucoma. Not understanding the disease and being careless about treatment are the most important causes of the progression of glaucoma.
Can I cure glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the most important cause of irreversible blindness around the world. Dr. Singh said that the success of more effective drugs, laser therapy, and various surgical procedures has led to significant improvements, with the arrival of more effective drugs, laser therapy, and improved success. It is important to understand that any lost vision caused by glaucoma can never be restored. Treatments for glaucoma are not yet available, and early detection to avoid blindness caused by glaucoma remains important.
Glaucoma is scary as it progresses quietly. However, some important glaucoma prevention tips can help, such as regular eye examinations and eating well and getting plenty of sleep. These are especially important for people over 40 years with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or glaucoma. It is important to consult an ophthalmologist immediately for early diagnosis and treatment.
Related FAQs
How can I prevent my glaucoma from getting worse?
If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you must adhere to the treatment plan or worsen your glaucoma. The future approach is to suggest that you suggest regular research such as visual field tests when necessary, as your doctor suggests. Not only early detection, but progression detection is also key to proper glaucoma management. It is a disease that remains in his patients throughout his life, and he must understand that he must understand the nature of this disease in order to live a peaceful life beyond glaucoma.
Early symptoms of glaucoma
Symptoms include blurred vision and vague vision, difficulty seeing objects to the sides, light, eye pain, and seeing rainbow halos around headaches.
