To know how to prevent glaucoma one must know what the causes of glaucoma are.

A series of eye diseases known as glaucoma can harm the optic nerve and impair vision. Several risk factors and putative causes have been identified, but the precise cause of glaucoma is not entirely understood. Glaucoma is primarily brought on by:

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP): Glaucoma is significantly influenced by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), also known as intraocular pressure. The aqueous humor, or eye fluid, can build up and create pressure inside the eye if it is not allowed to drain correctly, which can cause optic nerve injury and vision loss.

Causes

Glaucoma may have a genetic component, which suggests that those with a family history of the disease may be more likely to get it themselves. Despite the complicated and poorly understood inheritance patterns, several gene mutations have been linked to glaucoma.

Age

As people get older, their chances of having glaucoma rise. Although it can happen at any age, even in newborns and toddlers (known as pediatric glaucoma), it is more common in people over the age of 60.

Ethnicity

People of African, Hispanic, and Asian heritage have been reported to have a higher incidence of glaucoma than those of other ethnicities.

Other health issues

Glaucoma has been linked to an increased risk of other health issues such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and cardiovascular disease.

Eye anatomy

Glaucoma development may also be influenced by the eye’s anatomy. People who, for instance, have more vulnerable optic nerves or thinner corneas may be at higher risk.

Eye trauma

Glaucoma risk is increased by prior eye injuries or trauma, including blunt or piercing wounds.

Corticosteroid use for a long period of time can raise your chance of developing glaucoma, whether you take the medication orally, topically, or in other ways.

How to prevent glaucoma from worsening or starting at all?

Now that we know what causes glaucoma it’s easier to understand how to prevent it.

Consume a lot of leafy greens.

A 26-year observational study of 100,000 individuals indicated that increasing leafy green intake was linked to a lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma.

The optic nerve, which sends vision data to the brain, is harmed by glaucoma. One of the primary causes of glaucoma is assumed to be an increase in eye pressure brought on by fluid or a reduction in blood supply to the optic nerve. Nitrate, which your body converts to nitric oxide, is abundant in leafy greens. Nitric oxide may help keep ocular pressure low and maintain normal blood flow. A daily diet of two romaine and leafy green salads can prevent the onset of paracentral glaucoma by 60%.

In conclusion, include enough leafy green vegetables in your diet because they may help prevent glaucoma as well as inflammation, cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration.

Eye Protection First 

It’s advisable to keep your eyes safe because some eye injuries can cause glaucoma or exacerbate glaucoma.

When engaging in activities like sports, crafting, or gardening, be sure to use the appropriate protective eyewear. The use of the proper safety eyewear, a face shield, or goggles could have prevented nine out of ten eye injuries that were treated in emergency rooms.

Regular but careful exercise

Exercise has a number of cardiovascular advantages and is proven to reduce intraocular pressure. In the end, regular, moderate exercise will only benefit your general health.

However, the important word here is “moderate”; some evidence indicates that intense exercise may worsen glaucoma because it may overwork the cardiovascular autoregulatory system.

The bottom line is to moderately exercise to reduce intraocular pressure and enhance your overall health. Avoid over-exerting yourself and some types of activities, especially yoga inversion positions. The autoregulatory systems are stressed by postures like balancing on your head, which makes it difficult for the eyes to focus as blood rushes to your head.

Avoid positions with your head down

Avoid putting your head below your heart for extended periods of time if you have glaucoma or are at high risk of developing the condition. For back discomfort, this involves avoiding inversion tables and gravity boots. Your eye pressure might significantly increase in head-down situations. Some persons who have acute glaucoma may need to stay away from specific yoga poses. If you need to avoid exercising with your head down, consult your doctor.

Sleep in a comfortable position.

Try not to sleep with your eye on your arm or against a pillow if you have glaucoma. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients run the risk of developing glaucoma or other more serious conditions. Get checked for OSA if you frequently stop breathing during the night or snort loudly.

Keep your weight within a healthy range.

Patients with very high Body Mass Indexes (BMI) have increased eye pressure, while those with very low BMIs are at risk for primary angle glaucoma because low BMIs cause the optic nerve to be forced inward and increase eye pressure. You should try to be as close to the ideal weight as you can be—neither too little nor too much.

Maintaining a healthy body weight in the middle of the range is the key in this situation. Extreme weight swings are frequently caused by genetics, and it can be challenging to change your weight. Consult your primary care physician first if you’re having trouble keeping your weight within a healthy range.

Start early and protect your eyes from the sun.

Your eyes have to process many light rays when you’re outside in the sun. You will inevitably be exposed to some dangerous UV radiation. These UV rays may help exfoliation material build up in your eye’s anterior segment, blocking the drain and increasing pressure inside the eye. Less sun exposure will probably lead to fewer cataracts as well as a reduction in exfoliation glaucoma risk. Additionally, sun exposure is crucial even though genes play a substantial influence in the development of glaucoma. 

Your exposure to the sun is influenced by where you reside, which may increase your risk of developing glaucoma. The farther distant you are from the equator, the more angles the sun bounces off the ground and into your eye, according to a paper written by Dr. Pasquale and colleagues in 2011.

In conclusion, wear sunglasses whenever you go outside, and make sure your children do likewise.

Detect Glaucoma Early

To keep your vision healthy, routine comprehensive eye exams are essential. The greatest approach to guarantee that you’ll receive fast treatment and avoid or limit vision loss is to identify eye illnesses like glaucoma early. This is crucial because the majority of glaucoma cases show no symptoms. In fact, glaucoma can be present for years without symptoms!

If glaucoma runs in your family, get checked out early and frequently.

Your chance of having glaucoma is at least three times higher if you have a family history. Researchers at Mass. Eye and Ear are learning that many genes contribute to glaucoma in collaboration with people all around the world. According to research, having more of these linked genes makes it more likely that the disease would manifest itself sooner. It’s crucial to realize that glaucoma is not a condition only affecting the aged. It is a disease of middle age for Caucasians, and it is a condition of a much younger age for African Americans.

Conclusion: Learn if glaucoma runs in your family, and if so, schedule a thorough dilated eye check every one to two years if it does.

Using steroids as medicine? Speak to your ophthalmologist.

In particular, if you have glaucoma, taking steroids frequently or in high doses can cause your eye pressure to rise. The most likely sources of steroids to increase eye pressure are oral steroids and topical steroids applied to the eyes. If you use any form of steroid, you should always let your eye doctor know.

Maintain good oral hygiene.

Each tooth has a unique microbiota, which may produce an inflammatory biomarker. Over a 26-year span, a study by a team investigated more than 40,500 male health professionals discovered a link between recent periodontal disease-related tooth loss and primary open-angle glaucoma. The theory behind this is that glaucoma gets worse because periodontal disease activates the immune system.

In conclusion, to maintain your teeth (and your eyes) in peak condition, brush your teeth twice a day and schedule routine dental checkups.

Check your blood sugar levels.

You should bring your blood sugar under control if your doctor warns you it’s higher than it should be. Although the association between type 2 diabetes and primary open-angle glaucoma is debatable, a global examination of the data indicates that it is.  According to a 2006 study, there may be a link between insulin resistance and the development of glaucoma illness. Higher eye pressure is a direct result of having higher blood sugar levels, which is known to contribute to the onset of glaucoma.

In conclusion, primary care doctors are beginning to concentrate on patients with borderline blood sugar levels. Keeping your levels under control may help prevent glaucoma, and being in the healthy range will probably help you avoid other illness risks as well.

Inform your ophthalmologist of the blood pressure medication you take.

During sleep, if your blood pressure falls too low, glaucoma damage may develop. Tell your ophthalmologist if you use blood pressure medication at night or if you experience signs of low blood pressure, such as feeling dizzy. They can speak with your primary care physician about this. Changing your hypertension medication on your own is not advised.

To summarize how to prevent glaucoma

Management of risk factors and routine eye exams for early detection is key to preventing glaucoma. 

Routine eye exams are essential for the early detection of glaucoma, especially for those who are at higher risk. This enables prompt diagnosis and treatment to stop vision loss.

Regulating intraocular pressure (IOP) can help prevent glaucoma or delay its progression because high IOP is a significant risk factor for the disease. An ophthalmologist may advise regulating IOP with medication, eye drops, dietary modifications, or other therapies.

Understanding and controlling risk factors can help prevent glaucoma. These factors include age, genetics, ethnicity, other medical disorders, eye architecture, and a history of eye trauma. Other lifestyle modifications that may be helpful include treating systemic health issues, maintaining a balanced diet and exercise regimen, and safeguarding the eyes from harm.

To reduce the risk of glaucoma, it’s crucial to discuss the use of long-term corticosteroids and blood pressure meds with your healthcare professional.

People can take preventative measures to ward off glaucoma by being knowledgeable about the ailment, its risk factors, and the value of routine eye checkups.

If glaucoma is identified, it’s critical to adhere to the recommended treatment strategy, which may include taking prescription medications, making lifestyle changes, and attending routine follow-up appointments with an ophthalmologist.

For individualized advice and recommendations on how to avoid glaucoma based on individual risk factors and health status, speak with a trained healthcare provider or ophthalmologist.

FAQ’s

What is the main contributor to glaucoma?

Damage to the optic nerve, which results in loss of visual field, is the cause of the chronic, progressive eye illness known as glaucoma. Eye pressure is among the key risk factors. Fluid can accumulate in the eye due to an issue with the drainage system, which can result in severe pressure that harms the optic nerve.

If detected early enough, is glaucoma curable?

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for glaucoma and no means to reverse the disease’s effects on eyesight. The good news is that you may help protect your vision with routine eye exams, early detection, and treatment.

What is the typical age of onset of glaucoma?

The second most common cause of blindness in the United States is glaucoma. Although there is a baby (congenital) form of glaucoma, it most frequently affects persons over the age of 40.