Controlling intraocular pressure is essential for glaucoma patients to ensure long-term eye health and prevent vision loss. Patients should do all they can to avoid anything that can increase pressure within the eye and further impact their vision.
Keep reading to learn more about eight things patients with glaucoma should avoid.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that occur when the fluid within the eye, the aqueous humor, doesn’t drain properly, causing a buildup of intraocular pressure. As pressure builds within the eye, it damages the optic nerve, which is the structure of the eye that sends visual information to the brain.
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle, which accounts for approximately 90% of all glaucoma diagnoses. It is caused by blockage of the eye’s drainage canal.
Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly, and it can take years for symptoms to start affecting a patient’s vision. Often, a patient with open-angle glaucoma is unaware they have it until it is diagnosed at a routine eye exam.
The gradual loss of peripheral vision is one of the first signs of developing open-angle glaucoma. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to severely impaired vision or blindness.
8 Things Glaucoma Patients Should Avoid
The damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible. However, to preserve existing vision and prevent further loss, here are eight things glaucoma patients are advised to avoid:
1. Missing Doses of Prescribed Eye Drops
Prescription eye drops to control intraocular pressure are a critical component of glaucoma management for many patients. The drops help control pressure by reducing aqueous humor production or increasing fluid drainage.
Missing even a few doses can lead to a rise in damaging intraocular pressure. Glaucoma patients should always consult with their eye doctor if they have missed a dose of their eye drops or want to make changes to their medication schedule.
If prescription eye drops are insufficient to manage your glaucoma, your eye doctor at Cheema MD Eye Care may recommend other treatments like laser procedures, implants, or glaucoma surgeries.
2. Skipping Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are essential to your eye health. Exams allow your eye doctor to monitor intraocular pressure and track the progression of your glaucoma.
The noticeable signs of developing glaucoma can be very subtle, and the condition can cause considerable damage before it has been detected. Regular eye exams can help ensure changes are caught early to protect existing vision.
3. Smoking
One of the many ways in which smoking is bad for overall health is its negative impact on blood circulation. Poor circulation can reduce blood flow to the optic nerve, making it more vulnerable to the damaging effects of glaucoma.
Glaucoma patients should not smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or e-cigarettes. They should also avoid secondhand smoke, which harms overall eye health.
4. Poor Management of Chronic Health Conditions
People with high blood pressure, diabetes, and circulatory diseases are often more likely to develop glaucoma. All of these conditions can increase intraocular pressure and worsen glaucoma.
If a patient with glaucoma has one of these health conditions, they must be properly managed. Neglecting overall health can threaten the health of your eyes.
5. Activities and Exercises That Increase Eye Pressure
Certain activities and exercises can temporarily raise intraocular pressure. For a glaucoma patient, even these short-term increases can be risky.
Patients should avoid physical activities involving heavy lifting and straining, like weightlifting, and exercises involving head or shoulder stands, including certain yoga poses. Better options are walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bike, all of which are less likely to affect intraocular pressure.
6. Salty or Processed Foods
A diet high in salt or one that includes a lot of processed foods can potentially affect eye pressure. Overconsumption of salt may cause fluid retention, which can indirectly influence eye pressure with changes in blood volume and pressure.
Processed foods often contain surprisingly high amounts of sodium and other unhealthy additives. Glaucoma patients should read food labels carefully and aim to keep their daily sodium intake within recommended limits.
7. Eye Strain
While eye strain does not cause glaucoma, its effects can increase eye discomfort and make it harder to detect subtle changes in vision caused by glaucoma. Both eye conditions can cause blurry vision, eye redness, and headaches.
One of the leading causes of eye strain is prolonged screen use. When working on a computer, smartphone, or tablet, take frequent breaks, ensure workplaces are well-lit, and keep screens at a comfortable distance.
8. Leaving Eyes Unprotected
Accidental eye injury or trauma can raise intraocular pressure to levels that can damage the optic nerve. If you are already a glaucoma patient, even minor injuries can worsen the condition.
Glaucoma patients should always wear protective eyewear when playing sports, working with tools, or doing yard work.
Protect Your Vision from Glaucoma
While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are things patients can do to prevent glaucoma from causing further vision impairment. When glaucoma patients stay on track with eye drops, schedule regular eye exams, quit smoking, and manage chronic health conditions, they can maintain healthy intraocular pressure to help preserve their existing vision.
Do you want to learn more about glaucoma management and treatment options? Schedule an appointment at Cheema MD Eye Care in Kingston, NY, today!
