Worldwide, glaucoma is the second leading cause of both visual impairment and blindness. Without adequate and timely treatment, glaucoma can irreversibly damage the optic nerves and lead to complete vision loss.
What is characteristic of this disease?
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that develops when the pressure inside the eye increases, disrupting the normal movement of fluid within it.
The intraocular fluid drains through channels that resemble a meshwork. If these channels become blocked, fluid accumulates. The main cause is believed to be heredity, although less commonly it may result from trauma, chemical injury, eye infection, inflammation, corneal thickness, vascular problems, and other factors.
The disease occurs most often after the age of 60, but it can also affect young people and children. The most common type is open-angle glaucoma, usually found in people over 50. According to concerning statistics in Bulgaria, it is a leading cause of blindness, with an average of 3,000–3,500 patients hospitalized each year.
Unfortunately, in the early stages of the disease, many people have no symptoms. Symptoms appear gradually and usually include loss of peripheral or side vision, so-called “blind spots,” tunnel vision, as well as red and blurred eyes, headache and nausea, pain, halos around objects, and vision loss. In most cases, both eyes are affected, although the symptoms may be stronger in one eye.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek help from a specialist immediately. Diagnosis by an ophthalmologist includes various tests that are completely painless and do not take much time. If you belong to a risk group, an annual preventive visit to an ophthalmologist is essential.
What kind of glaucoma prevention is possible?
Because symptoms that signal glaucoma usually appear only when the disease is already advanced and vision has been damaged, more and more eye health specialists recommend several methods for glaucoma prevention.
There are also opinions that complete prevention may not be possible, but current studies show encouraging positive results, even in people with a family history of the disease. The data suggest that with the use of different approaches, glaucoma may be avoided or halted if it already exists.
Annual preventive examinations
Since the main risk factor for glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure, it is recommended that it be checked every year. This is especially important for people over 40 and those with a family history. Early detection and monitoring of ocular hypertension, as well as its treatment, significantly reduce the risk of developing glaucoma and irreversible vision damage.
Regular physical activity
Studies clearly demonstrate the key role of physical activity in glaucoma prevention. English researchers have found that an active lifestyle can even improve eye health in the long term. More specifically, this concerns low perfusion pressure, which depends on the difference between systemic arterial pressure and intraocular pressure.
It is important to know that heavy or strength training is not recommended, and if you practice yoga and have glaucoma, you should avoid positions where the head is directed downward.
Early eye protection
The onset of glaucoma is often preceded by poor vision or eye problems from an early age. That is why it is a good idea to maintain eye health with appropriate herbal products, especially if you spend more than 2–3 hours a day in front of a television, computer, or phone screen.
Experts also recommend omega-3 intake because these beneficial fatty acids support the drainage of intraocular fluid while also helping prevent inflammation and dry eyes.
Maintaining normal blood sugar levels
People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing glaucoma, and this risk increases with age and with the severity of the disease. High blood sugar has a harmful effect on the whole body, but it is particularly damaging to the eyes and often leads to complete vision loss. If your blood sugar levels are within normal ranges, the risk of developing glaucoma is reduced by 70%.
A proper diet
If you maintain a diet that includes enough fresh fruits and vegetables, you will be protected against increased blood sugar, high blood pressure, and the development of diabetes. The beneficial substances they contain, including carotenoids, protect the eyes from a number of diseases.
Nutritional supplements for prevention
Damage to the optic nerve is also linked to oxidative stress, and antioxidants can help fight it. For glaucoma prevention, and as a complementary measure if the disease has already appeared, the intake of lutein, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and proanthocyanidins is recommended. These natural helpers protect the eyes from UV rays, dry and polluted air, and other harmful environmental influences. They not only reduce oxidative stress but also provide pigment and vascular protection for the eye as a whole.
Among the vitamins and minerals that help protect the eyes are vitamin A, the B vitamins, vitamins C and E, and the minerals magnesium, zinc, and potassium.
Some herbs, such as bilberry and eyebright, may also be used as a preventive measure.
Doctors advise maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeinated drinks, and wearing glasses that protect against sunlight and screen light.
For control of intraocular pressure and for maintaining and restoring eye health, frequent fluid intake can also help—but in moderate amounts and spread throughout the day. If we try to “catch up” on hydration in a short period of time, there is a risk of temporarily increasing pressure in the eyes.
In addition, according to recent studies, sleeping on a higher pillow that keeps the head slightly elevated reduces eye pressure during sleep.
It is recommended that everyone know which diseases occur frequently in their family. If someone among your relatives has had or currently has glaucoma, and also has high intraocular pressure, you should definitely consult an ophthalmologist.
Modern methods of glaucoma treatment aim to reduce or stabilize intraocular pressure. Once this is achieved, damage to the structures of the eye, and particularly to the optic nerve, can be prevented.
Although non-surgical methods exist, and surgical intervention is possible when other options are exhausted, early diagnosis remains the best way to prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma.
At Vereya Medical Center, you can book an eye examination and address any problem you may have with your vision.