Natural Ways To Prevent Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by an increase in pressure in the eye. This increased pressure However, the majority of patients do not show symptoms in the first phase of the disease.

As time goes on, they face things like progressive vision loss.

This article explains how to prevent glaucoma naturally.

What you need to know about glaucoma

The number of people suffering from this disease is very high (about 2% of the population over 40 years old) and it is one of the causes of irreversible vision loss.

There are two types of glaucoma:

narrow angle glaucoma

This type of glaucoma reduces the angle formed by the cornea and base of the iris. It also quickly increases the pressure in the eye. The symptoms of this type of glaucoma include dilated pupils, red eyes, blurred vision, and intense pain.

open-angle glaucoma

The progression of this type of glaucoma is slow and affects vision little by little. This is the more common form of the disease and the symptoms are not as obvious.

Glaucoma can be congenital (it then becomes apparent between birth and the first three years of life), be hereditary (if it shows up after the first three years of life), or not appear until adulthood (after age 40).

It can also give rise to other diseases such as cataracts, vitreous hemorrhages and other traumas. Sometimes surgery is required to treat the disease.

Doctors use different techniques and tests to diagnose glaucoma. The aim is to determine the pressure within the eye and whether the optic nerve root shows signs of excavation or not.

These are the techniques used:

• Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT)
• pachymetry (measures the thickness of the cornea)
• high-resolution sonogram (studying the structure of the eye)
• gonioscopy (measures the angle between the iris and the cornea)
• slit lamp and biomicroscope (enlarges view of the optic main nerve)

• applanation tonometry (measures the fluid pressure in the eye)
• visual field test (tests the outer field of view)

The population groups most often affected by glaucoma are:

• people of African or Asian descent
• people over 60 years old
• individuals with chronic illnesses (especially diabetes, hypothyroidism, or hypertension)
• people with a family history of glaucoma
• people with myopia
• people taking corticosteroids

How can you prevent glaucoma naturally?

It is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to see an ophthalmologist once a year. This way you can prevent or have eye diseases diagnosed. But this is not enough. Also follow the advice below:

Reduce your insulin intake

This advice is not only aimed at diabetics. Everyone should try to avoid sugary foods or foods that raise blood sugar as much as possible, as they also raise insulin levels.

To prevent the onset of glaucoma, it is best to eat as little of the following foods as possible:

• white pasta
• White bread
• White rice
• refined grains
• sweets
• potatoes

Exercise regularly

As we mentioned before, exercise is the best way to lower our insulin levels and high blood pressure. Any form of physical exercise, two to three times a week, contributes to good eye health and helps prevent glaucoma. 

You can choose any sport or exercise routine, but do it on a regular basis.

Eat 

This nutrient is a ‘sight enhancer’. It acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from damage caused by free radicals.  Another ingredient worth eating is zeaxanthin, which has similar properties.

We find these substances in:

• cabbage
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• egg yolks
• Brussels sprouts

Avoid fat

In almost all fast food on the market today, we find many fats. One of the many problems with trans fats is that they prevent the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. And that while omega 3 fatty acids are very healthy and important for the health of our eyes.

Eating too much fat leads to macular degeneration. The foods that we should therefore avoid are:

• butter
• fries
• pastries
• Hamburgers
• processed products

eat berries

Red fruits like blueberries and cranberries are a perfect natural remedy to take care of your vision.

They can also prevent diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts. This is due to the flavonoids they contain, which also give them their red color. The flavonoids strengthen capillaries, muscles, and the optic nerves.

That said, we do want to point out that berries are high in sugar and can therefore also increase our levels of insulin. That is why it is recommended not to eat too many berries, preferably no more than a handful per day.

More interesting and helpful advice that can help you prevent or delay glaucoma:

• Avoid activities that require a lot of eye strain.
• Always wear sunglasses, even in winter and on cloudy days.
• Do not drink an excessive amount of alcohol.
• Do not smoke.
• Keep caffeine intake to a minimum.
• Eat foods rich in vitamins A and C.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

It is also important to take good care of your eyes. Try to avoid sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Rest for a few minutes every hour or wear special glasses as recommended by a professional. This will make your eyes less tired and less likely to increase the pressure in the eyes.