Protecting Your Vision: How to Prevent Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the loss of vision because of a damaged optic nerve behind the retina by a buildup of fluid pressure inside the eye.
Understanding how to prevent Glaucoma is crucial as it is an incurable disease that progresses slowly without noticeable changes.
Most preventive strategies involve combining natural remedies and lifestyle choices that help you reduce the risks of Glaucoma.
Let us look at these strategies and comprehend the ideal choices we must make to prevent the blindness caused by Glaucoma.
Can Glaucoma be prevented
Although there are measures that you can take to prevent Glaucoma, complete prevention is not possible.
If you are at an age (more than 60 years) with a high risk of Glaucoma, it is best to get tested for Glaucoma as regularly as possible for early detection and treatment.
Most symptoms of Glaucoma are undetectable at an early stage and need consultations with your healthcare professional for timely treatment.
Adopting a dynamic approach to preventing Glaucoma can play a big role in your eye health.
Intraocular Pressure is the fluid pressure inside the eyeballs.
How to prevent Glaucoma
There are some professional tips that you can always incorporate into your lifestyle to prevent Glaucoma.
You can refer to the following tips given by The American Academy of Opthalmology for preventing Glaucoma:
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sunlight
- Take care of your dental hygiene, as an oral infection can cause inflammation of the optic nerve, causing Glaucoma
- Exercise moderately to maintain healthy Intraocular Pressure, which reduces the risks of primary open-angled Glaucoma
- Avoiding inverted yoga postures, which can also increase Intraocular Pressure
- Large amounts of coffee increase Intraocular Pressure and, in the long run, can cause Glaucoma
- If your family members suffer from Glaucoma, you must get screened regularly for early detection
- Metabolic conditions like Diabetes and high blood pressure can increase the risks of Glaucoma, so maintain a healthy weight
How to prevent Glaucoma naturally
Having a planned Glaucoma prevention diet is essential in preventing Glaucoma naturally.
Let us have a look at the clinically recommended foods to prevent Glaucoma.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba extracts have been shown to increase the blood flow in the eyes and have antioxidant effects that can prevent Glaucoma.
The extract was also potent enough to restore the mitochondrial functions of the cells in the eyes, which are reduced during Glaucoma.
Lycium barbarum
The fruits extracted from a Chinese shrub, Lycium barbarum, play a protective role by reducing the pressure inside the eyes.
The extract of the fruits also acts by protecting the optic neurons from degeneration caused by Intraocular Pressure.
Diospyros kaki
The leaves of Diospyros kaki (common persimmons) have been proven to effectively prevent Glaucoma by decreasing retinal degeneration.
Another research study provided evidence that this extract can reduce the Intraocular Pressure, which decreases the chances of Glaucoma.
Tripterygium wilfordii
A common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine called Tripterygium wilfordii (thunder god vine) is an important natural remedy against Glaucoma.
The extracts from this plant are biochemically active and prevent inflammation in the optic nerves, thus reducing the risks of Glaucoma.
Saffron
Studies have shown saffron to reduce the Intraocular Pressure inside the eyes successfully and have a therapeutic effect on Open-angle Glaucoma.
Research has confirmed saffron extract to have a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect on the retinal cells.
Curcumin
Curcumin is a pigment that gives turmeric its characteristic yellow color.
When applied as a topical treatment, extremely small particles of curcumin were found to act as an antioxidant and relieve the Intraocular Pressure inside the eyes.
Curcumin also acts as a neuroprotective agent that prevents Glaucoma incidences.
Vitamins B3 and D
Vitamin B3 and Vitamin D are excellent supplements to prevent Glaucoma.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) supplements raise cell mitochondrial activity in the cells.
On the other hand, Vitamin D metabolites were found to protect optic neurons and prevent Glaucoma.
How to prevent Glaucoma from worsening
Once Glaucoma damages your vision, it is irreversible.
So, knowing how to prevent Glaucoma from worsening is a huge factor contributing to protecting your remaining vision.
These include several therapies and treatments, such as:
- Taking correct medications like Acetazolamide, Bimatoprost, and Dorzolamide to decrease the fluid pressure in your eyeballs
- Undergoing surgical procedures like Trabeculectomy, where surgeons create a small incision in the white sclera to drain the excess fluid
- Inserting a drainage tube with the eyes to relieve the Intraocular Pressure
- Laser treatment like Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty can improve Intraocular Pressure and even decrease your need for excess medication
Discover affordable and convenient medication options at WowRx.
Takeaway
Complete prevention of Glaucoma is not possible, but steps can be taken to lower its chances.
Several lifestyle changes, like wearing sunglasses, moderate exercises, and restricting your caffeine intake, help to prevent Glaucoma.
Conditions like Diabetes and Hypertension must be avoided to avert Glaucoma.
You can also try several natural remedies like using extracts of plants such as Ginkgo biloba, persimmons, thunder god vine, and saffron to have an additional therapeutic benefit.
Moreover, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin D can be great supplements to prevent Glaucoma.
Having an idea of how to prevent Glaucoma symptoms from worsening through medications, surgeries, and laser therapies can increase your chances of retaining your vision.
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