Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to irreversible blindness if not treated promptly. It occurs when excess fluid builds up in the front of the eye, either because the eye doesn't drain properly (open-angle glaucoma) or because the iris blocks the drainage angle (closed-angle glaucoma). While the damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible, early detection through regular eye exams and appropriate treatment can help manage the condition. Nutrition and lifestyle play a significant role in both the development and progression of glaucoma, making diet and exercise important factors in preserving vision. While a healthy diet cannot cure glaucoma, certain foods and nutrients can support better eye pressure regulation, improve blood flow to the optic nerve, and reduce oxidative stress-all crucial for managing glaucoma.
The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle in Glaucoma Management
Research indicates that unhealthy lifestyle choices, especially poor dietary habits, can significantly affect health. Nutrition and lifestyle can affect the development and progression of glaucoma by helping control intraocular pressure (IOP) and maintaining overall eye health. Maintaining proper eye pressure is vital for those with glaucoma.
Compliance with Glaucoma Treatment
For patients diagnosed with glaucoma, the most important lifestyle change is adherence to the prescribed glaucoma treatment plan. Most glaucoma treatments involve instilling glaucoma eye drops, so understanding how to use eye drops properly is imperative.
Safe Exercise
Studies show that moderate exercise can reduce several risk factors for glaucoma.
Regular Ophthalmologic Check-Ups
Since glaucoma typically has no warning signs, having an annual comprehensive eye exam will allow for early detection of glaucoma, especially if you are at high risk due to factors like family history.
Read also: Nutritional Strategies for Eye Health
Foods to Include in Your Diet
While diet alone cannot prevent or cure glaucoma, a diet rich in specific nutrients may support eye health and complement traditional treatments. Here’s a detailed look at beneficial food choices for people with glaucoma:
Leafy Green Vegetables
Eating leafy greens is widely recognized as essential for maintaining overall health. Research suggests that individuals who regularly consume leafy greens such as kale and spinach may have a lower risk of developing glaucoma. Leafy greens are known for reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration. They are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients found naturally in the eyes, which are believed to be especially beneficial to eye health and can reduce the risk factors for glaucoma. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables contain high amounts of these antioxidants. Including more greens in your diet is a simple, beneficial choice with plenty of potential upsides. Moreover, intake of dietary nitrates, derived mainly from green leafy vegetables, was associated with a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma in two large studies.
Magnesium-Rich Foods
Bananas, avocados, pumpkin seeds, and black beans are excellent sources of magnesium, helping you reach the recommended daily intake of 300-400 mg. Early studies indicate that dietary magnesium may support people with glaucoma by enhancing blood flow to the eyes and protecting retinal ganglion cells-key players in processing visual information.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of vitamin E, which helps maintain cell health and protects retinal tissues from free radical damage. Incorporating almonds, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds into your diet can benefit your eye health. Nuts are also a good source of magnesium and arginine, all of which are protective against glaucoma. In addition, nuts are also rich in healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants that fight oxidative stress on the body’s cells (which can lead to cell damage).
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for heart health and may also play a role in glaucoma prevention. These fatty acids are typically found in vegetable oils, green vegetables such as kale, and fatty fish such as salmon.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are essential for maintaining overall health and may also provide benefits for glaucoma patients. Some studies have shown a possible relationship between the consumption of foods rich in antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables like kale and collards, and decreased glaucoma risk. In African-American women, there was a decreased risk of glaucoma with higher intake of certain fruits and vegetables high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and carotenoids.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a rich dietary source of polyphenol compounds, specifically flavonoids. Acute consumption of dark chocolate has been shown to reverse vascular endothelial dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO).
Foods to Avoid or Limit
For glaucoma patients, what you don’t eat can be just as important to your eye health as the foods you do consume.
Caffeine
Maintaining proper eye pressure is vital for those with glaucoma, so avoiding foods with high amounts of caffeine is recommended. Some studies suggest caffeine increases intraocular pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. Some studies suggest that significant caffeine intake over a short time can slightly elevate IOP for one to three hours. It is known that caffeine can cause a several point rise in eye pressure that lasts for at least 90 minutes. A good rule of thumb is to exercise moderation with caffeine consumption. One cup of coffee is unlikely to cause any harm, but if you like to drink large amounts of coffee consider switching some of that consumption to decaffeinated.
Alcohol
It is known that alcohol can lower eye pressure in the very short term, but there is no data to suggest that drinking alcohol reduces the risk of developing glaucoma or prevents its progression.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Foods High in Saturated and Trans Fats
A diet with a lot of saturated fats will lead to weight gain and an increase in body mass index. This can not only increase intraocular pressure, but also cholesterol levels. In addition to saturated fats, you should also limit trans fats because they harm blood vessels and raise cholesterol levels.
Salt
Although it’ll indirectly help, limiting the amount of salt you eat daily can help limit your blood pressure, which can also help limit eye pressure. Salt consumption should be kept to a minimum to maintain blood pressure, as well.
Allergic Foods
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.
High-Carbohydrate Diet
Some studies suggest that denying yourself carbohydrates may slow the growth of glaucoma because it lowers blood sugar levels. According to a 2020 study, diets with a high carbohydrate intake correlate with a greater risk of glaucoma, while a lower carbohydrate intake correlates with lesser risk.
The Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Body mass index (BMI), a major anthropometric indicator of obesity, has been linked to elevated IOP in many studies. In addition to obesity, other components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have also been linked to elevated IOP and glaucoma. Those with diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension (HTN), alone or combined, had an increased risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Foods that contribute to metabolic syndrome, obesity, blood pressure abnormalities and diabetes are risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Activities to Avoid
Exercises Where Your Head Is Upside Down
Much like avoiding exercises where your head is upside down, the same goes for any yoga poses that involve handstands or awkward positions.
Playing Wind Instruments
Believe it or not, playing wind instruments has shown minor increases in eye pressure, which could be damaging to the optic nerve.
Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies
Currently, there is no convincing data that herbal medicines or nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, help to prevent glaucoma. Patients should consult their ophthalmologist before beginning any supplement regimen, as excessive intake of certain herbs, vitamins, or minerals can result in serious health problems. Consuming too much of certain herbs, vitamins or minerals can result in serious health problems.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
While there’s no cure for glaucoma, having regular comprehensive eye examinations to monitor your IOP is one of the ways glaucoma patients can manage their glaucoma. Regular eye exams with a trusted, experienced, and licensed eye doctor or ophthalmologist is vital to detecting glaucoma early.
Advancements in Glaucoma Research
Advancements in glaucoma research continue to bring us closer to finding a cure and restoring vision loss from glaucoma. There is great hope for new and improved treatments, including innovative drug delivery methods, laser treatments, and less invasive surgical techniques.