GLAUCOMA

GLAUCOMA 1

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases, all of which involve damage to the optic nerve. This is a cable-like structure that carries visual information from the retina (located in the back of the eye) to the brain, allowing you to see. The optic nerve is typically damaged as a result of high pressure within the eye (known medically as intraocular pressure), due to a build-up of excess fluid which is unable to drain properly. The elevated pressure squeezes the optic nerve and cuts off its blood supply in a slow and painless manner, ultimately causing progressive loss of peripheral (side) vision and eventual blindness.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss in older adults in Canada. While there are several different types of glaucoma, in most cases, the causes are unknown. Individuals may be at higher risk if they are over 40 years of age; have a family history of the disease; have diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure; or are of African ancestry (a risk factor due to ethnic background). Elevated intraocular pressure, nearsightedness, and previous eye injury are also risk factors for glaucoma.

Regular eye exams are important for helping to detect any changes in eyesight, before glaucoma can progress to an advanced stage and vision loss is irreversible. Conventional treatment may involve medication (either taken orally or given as eye drops), laser therapy and surgery. Regular exercise, stress reduction techniques such as meditation and biofeedback, dietary changes and supplements may also play a role in helping to reduce intraocular pressure to help prevent or delay the onset of glaucoma.

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DIETARY STRATEGIES

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

While no one diet can prevent or treat glaucoma, eating a variety of healthy foods can provide your body with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are important for healthy vision. A higher intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower risk of glaucoma. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, natural compounds that protect against free radicals. These are highly unstable compounds produced through normal metabolic processes that can damage cells in the body, including cells in the eyes.

To boost your intake of antioxidants, aim to incorporate more dark leafy greens (such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard) and deeply coloured red and orange vegetables and fruit (carrots, red peppers, dark berries and peaches) into your diet.

As an added benefit, following a healthy diet can help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. For those with diabetes or high blood pressure (both of which are risk factors for glaucoma), losing weight can help individuals better manage these conditions.

CAFFEINE If you have glaucoma, it is best to limit the amount of caffeine-containing food and beverages you consume, as caffeine may increase intraocular pressure and affect blood flow to the retina. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and some pain medications. To reduce your intake, switch to decaffeinated coffee, herbal tea, hot water with lemon or carbonated water with a squeeze of lime.

FLUIDS

Consuming a large volume of fluid in a short period of time can actually increase intraocular pressure. For this reason, it is important to sip small amounts of fluid (such as water, milk, decaffeinated coffee or herbal tea) frequently throughout the day, rather than having a larger amount all at once.