Glaucoma is a serious disease. In fact, it’s the second most common cause of blindness in the world.
Here’s the shocking thing: Many people don’t even know they have it.
Though nearly 3 million Americans live with this condition, only half are aware that they’ve been affected. And a Prevent Blindness in America survey showed that almost 30 percent of people aren’t even sure what it is.
Welcome to the world of glaucoma, also known as the silent thief of sight.
So what can you do to prevent or lower your risk of glaucoma? Following are six steps you need to take.
1. Make it a point to get regular eye exams.
When it comes to preventing glaucoma, regular eye exams are key. That’s because glaucoma often has no signs. This makes it essential to see a doctor to rule out problems.
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), yes should be checked at regular intervals. This starts with routine exams every two to four years before you turn 40. After the age of 40, eyes should be checked every one to three years until age 54. And upon reaching 55, eyes should be checked every one to two years. After age 64, have eyes checked every six to 12 months.
Further, the GRF says that those with high risk factors should be tested every one to two years after the age 35. This includes those with diabetes, a family history of glaucoma and those of African descent.
Don’t skip these necessary steps of glaucoma awareness. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Add exercise to your routine.
We all know that exercise can have numerous cardiac benefits. But did you know that exercise can improve eye health, too?
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that cardiovascular exercise can protect against light-induced retinal degeneration. Research also suggests that exercise can lower eye pressure. In particular, aerobic exercise can lower intraocular pressure (IOP). Further, studies show that being active potentially could increase blood flow to the retina as well as the optic nerve.
Additionally, experts say that you exercise doesn’t have to be vigorous to have a positive effect on eye health. In fact, just 20 minutes of simple movement like brisk walking a few times a week can lower intraocular pressure (IOP) if the heart rate is elevated by 20 to 25 percent.
So make exercise a part of your routine. And don’t forget to consult a doctor before beginning any new type of physical activity.
3. Wear protective eyewear regularly.
How you protect your eyes just may determine whether or not you get glaucoma. This means you need to conduct activities with eye health in mind.
According to the GRF, it’s essential to make it a habit to wear protective eyewear while playing sports or working on home improvement projects. This is because eye injuries can result in what’s known as traumatic or secondary glaucoma.
So just what is traumatic glaucoma?
Traumatic glaucoma occurs as a result of an injury to the eye. It can develop right after an injury or years later.
Traumatic glaucoma is thought to be brought on by injuries that penetrate the eye. That’s why it's important to protect eyes from any potential risk. Don’t forget about the importance of sunglasses. A good pair of shades improves eye health in general.
To maximize protection, purchase high-quality sunglasses designed to block out 99 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays. Further, make sure sunglasses screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
4. Stop smoking as soon as possible.
Smoking is often associated with lung cancer, but it can also raise the risk of glaucoma.
This is because smoking can cause high blood pressure and diabetes. Consequently, both of these conditions elevate the risk of developing the disease.
Sure, quitting smoking can be hard. However, there are ways to kick the habit. Check out Smokefree.gov. This handy resource gives great free tips to help smokers quit. Bonus: text messaging helps with quitting.
5. Take necessary steps to prevent diabetes.
Controlling blood sugar is one of the most important aspects of glaucoma prevention. That’s because those with diabetes have a 40 percent greater chance of developing the disease.
Know the ins and outs of diabetes to decrease risk. Diabetes is an illness associated high blood sugar levels. Nearly 9.3 percent of the American population is living with diabetes, but one out of four does not know it.
And it doesn’t stop there. According to the GRF, statistics show that diabetes and glaucoma are interlinked. In other words, there’s a higher risk of someone with open-angle glaucoma developing diabetes. Further, though rare, a type of glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma has been associated with diabetes.
Diabetes sufferers should make it a point to get regular eye exams. And start eating with low blood sugar levels in mind. This means opting for healthy, natural choices instead of sugar-laden sweets and processed foods.
6. Eat with glaucoma prevention in mind.
Nutrition plays an essential role in glaucoma prevention.
Research shows that diets rich in antioxidants are essential to eye health. That’s because antioxidants fight off free radicals, which makes the ganglion cells stronger when it comes to resisting damage. These cells, which send messages, are damaged by the disease.
Load up on foods rich in two essential elements of eye health: lutein and zeaxanthin. These both belong to a family of compounds known as carotenoids. To get adequate amounts lutein and zeaxanthin, choose foods like spinach, turnips, kale and collard greens.
In addition, polyphenols can help with glaucoma prevention. Research shows that polyphenols can be found in dried peppermint, dark chocolate and cloves. Make it a point to load up on tomato products containing lycopene, and add flax seeds to your daily routine.
Further, don’t be shy about taking supplements geared toward eye nutrition. Just be sure to look for brands that offer a high-quality product developed with eye health in mind.