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KAEPS: Lifestyle choices may help glaucoma patients preserve eyesight — early detection matters


Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, affecting about 3 million people in the United States. Because there are no symptoms early on, about half of people with the disease don’t know they have it.

Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can’t be regained. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in reminding the public that early detection and treatment, and some lifestyle choices can help protect your sight.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. Typically, the disease progresses slowly, gradually destroying peripheral vision. Because people are unaware of early peripheral vision loss, a patient can lose most of it before they even know they have glaucoma.
 
That’s why the Academy recommends that everyone have a comprehensive eye exam at age 40. This exam provides ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – an opportunity to carefully examine the eye including the optic nerve for signs of damage and other possible problems that may affect vision.

Individuals at greater risk for developing glaucoma include people:
 
· over age 40;
· of African, Asian or Hispanic heritage;
· who have high eye pressure detected during an eye exam;
· who are farsighted or nearsighted;
· who have experienced eye trauma or eye injury;
· whose corneas are thin in the center; or
· who have health problems such as diabetesmigraineshigh blood pressure or poor blood circulation.
 
Appropriate treatment for glaucoma depends on the specific type and severity of the disease. Medicated eye drops or laser treatments are the most common initial approach. These techniques work by lowering eye pressure to reduce the amount of fluid in the eye, and by increasing fluid outflow from the eye.

Beyond drugs and surgery, several recent studies suggest that lifestyle choices, such as the following, may also help minimize the risk of losing vision to glaucoma.

Exercise regularly. A study just published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, showed that people who engaged in physical activity can slow vision loss from glaucoma.

Meditate. A new study published last month in the Journal Glaucoma showed that a relaxation program with meditation can lower eye pressure in glaucoma patients and improve their quality of life by lowering stress hormones like cortisol. 

Don’t use CBD as a “natural” glaucoma remedy. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-psychotropic component of cannabis and hemp being touted as a magical cure-all. A study published last month in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science shows it actually raised eye pressure in mice.

Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially green, leafy ones. One study showed that people who ate more leafy vegetables have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Why? Nitrates in green vegetables can be converted to nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and help regulate pressure inside the eye.

Don’t smoke.
Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of glaucoma and has an overall negative impact on eye health.

Maintain a healthy body weight. People with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for diabetes, and having diabetes puts people at risk of glaucoma. Having a too low BMI is also associated with increased glaucoma risk.

“Patients are often surprised when their ophthalmologist tells them they have glaucoma because they don’t have symptoms,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “That’s why it’s so important to have your eyes examined regularly; to detect the signs of disease you don’t see. The good news is that today’s innovative treatments and surgical techniques are better than ever.”

“Glaucoma is dangerous because most patients feel no pain, don’t realize their visual field is shrinking, and the damage is irreversible,” said Greg Sulkowski, M.D., an ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist based in Louisville. “But glaucoma is usually a slow disease, and if you can identify it early, there is plenty of time to try a huge array of drops to stop its progression and keep a person seeing just fine for life. There are also other options like laser and surgery for more specific or advanced cases, but the first step for any patient is just getting a good evaluation.”

The Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons is a statewide nonprofit organization for member ophthalmologists.


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3 Comments

  1. For glaucoma there are several types of treatment available like the medicated eye drops, microsurgery, laser treatments, and any other eye surgery. It’s important to note that treatments can only prevent additional vision loss, but they will not restore vision that is already lost to the disease.

  2. Prakash says:

    Although medical management is the mainstay of glaucoma treatment and medications, some patients with advanced glaucoma, with co-existing cataracts, not controlled by medical therapy, for such patients glaucoma laser surgery is the treatment of choice.

  3. Aris Vision CDMX says:

    Due to the lack of early symptoms, particularly in the elderly, many people may not realize they have glaucoma. To diagnose and treat conditions early and stop vision loss, schedule routine checkups.

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