As you get older, you may be more at risk for glaucoma, a condition that affects your eyes. Similar to a number of other health conditions that are more common as you age, what you eat can affect your risk for getting glaucoma, although this is not the only risk factor involved.
Features
Signs of glaucoma include loss of peripheral vision, eye pain, blurred vision, rainbow-colored halos around lights and, eventually, loss of forward vision. Glaucoma occurs most often in African Americans, people over 60 years old, those with diabetes or hypothyroidism, people with a family history of glaucoma, those who are inactive or under a lot of stress and those who have food sensitivities or are nearsighted.
Causes
Too much pressure on the inside of the eye causes glaucoma. This is usually due to the fluid and blood in the eye becoming blocked so that it cannot easily move around in the eye. Sometimes it is totally blocked, other times the movement of the fluid is simply slowed down. A number of factors can be involved in glaucoma, including decreased blood flow to the eye, which decreases the flow of oxygen to the eye as well. Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure may be involved, according to Dr. Frank McGehee, a member of the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists.
Effects of Nutrition
The antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein help to promote optimal eye health, along with vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc. These nutrients help to prevent damage to the eyes, lowering glaucoma risk. Fish oil can help to prevent blood clotting and help increase blood flow to the eye.
Considerations
Although you can get these nutrients through supplements, there is a risk of overdosing on them and causing health problems, so it is better to get most of your nutrients through food. Speak with a doctor about the proper dose for supplements if you cannot get the recommended amounts of these nutrients through diet alone.
Nutrition alone cannot prevent or treat glaucoma, but it can lower your risk somewhat and may help conventional treatments work better.
Expert Insight
Avoid any foods you may be allergic to or sensitive to, and concentrate on consuming a diet containing lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables along with lean protein, healthy unsaturated fats and eight glasses of water per day. Avoid trans fats, processed foods, alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated beverages and tobacco. Consider supplements including a multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, lutein and alpha-lipoic acid to further minimize your glaucoma risk. Early detection is essential, when treatment using eye drops may be sufficient. Some people may also require surgery to preserve what remains of their vision.
