1. Avoid Toxic Agents in Your Environment
A wide variety of toxic agents can bring on optic nerve atrophy, although heredity and luck certainly play their role in determining whether or not the condition ever evolves. Exposure to lead, alcohol, carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke, the syphilis virus and even some medications designed to help the body in some way can all lead to conditions which can cultivate the development of optic nerve atrophy. You can't completely remove all sources of toxicity from your home or workplace, but you can avoid jobs which require you to handle toxic substances, and you can quit smoking and stay away from drugs and homemade alcohol.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet
Most experts concur that eating nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits bursting with antioxidants, and so-called healthy monounsaturated fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, should have an overall healthy impact on the body. However, there is some debate about how good juices are for the eyes. One camp of scientists believes firmly that drinking many glasses of carrot, apple and berry juice a day can't help but have positive effects for overall eye health. However, other respected scientists and physicians contend that consuming too many simple carbohydrates (such as the kind found in fruit juice beverages) can cause obesity and heart disease, and precipitate conditions that might ultimately lead to optic nerve atrophy.
3. Know Your Genetic History and Risk Factors, and Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly
Optic nerve atrophy can strike young, otherwise healthy patients. For instance, men in their 20s are commonly diagnosed with the disease. By charting your genetic risk factors, going in for eye checkups every few years (whether you have a vision problem or not) and staying healthy by exercising, sleeping and limiting your stress, you'll improve your chances of sustaining long-term eye health.
