Prevention

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Vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented if the disease is caught and treated in time. Because glaucoma rarely produces symptoms until it has progressed, regular eye examinations are the key to early detection and treatment. For those with no risk factors, the Glaucoma Research Foundation recommends a dilated eye exam be conducted at age 35 and age 40. It recommends such an exam should be done every two to four years after age 40, and after age 60, every one to two years. A dilated eye exam is necessary to check the optic nerve, and should be conducted in addition to measuring your intraocular pressure.

You're at risk of developing glaucoma if you are older than age 60, are African American, have a family member who has glaucoma, are very nearsighted, are diabetic, had an eye injury in the past or have been taking steroid or cortisone medications. In such cases, you should have an eye exam including tests for glaucoma every one to two years.

If you are African American, your risk of developing the open-angle type of glaucoma is six to eight times more than for Caucasian people, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, making the need for regular eye exams an important factor in protecting your vision.

Although there is no known way to prevent glaucoma, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help you generally avoid diseases. Eating a balanced diet is the best way to ensure your body receives the proper nutrients it needs to function. Some of the vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall eye health include antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, and minerals zinc, copper, and selenium. If you're concerned about your diet, talk with your health care professional about whether you should take nutritional supplements or make dietary changes.

Getting regular exercise also is a component of maintaining good overall health, and there is some evidence in the medical literature that regular aerobic exercise may help reduce eye pressure. In fact, some studies indicate that glaucoma patients who exercise at least three times a week can reduce their intraocular eye pressure an average of 20 percent, according to the Glaucoma Foundation. Before starting any exercise program, make sure you discuss possible effects on your intraocular pressure with your health care professional. The Glaucoma Research Foundation reports that some forms of glaucoma, such as angle-closure, are unresponsive to exercise, or run the risk of increasing eye pressure, such as in glaucoma patients with pigment dispersion syndrome. Additionally, exercises or yoga movements that place the head upside down hold the potential for increasing eye pressure, and generally are discouraged for all glaucoma patients.

A new study, published in the August 2003 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology, indicates that neckties worn very tightly can have an impact on intraocular pressure. The results indicated that eye pressure increased after wearing a tight necktie in both normal subjects and in patients with glaucoma and then decreased after necktie was loosened.

If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, it doesn't mean you will become blind. To control your disease and protect the sight you have, adhere to the prescription drug regimen recommended by your health care professional, and have regular eye examinations to monitor the disease.