Glaucoma can be prevented with exercise and diet

glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness among adults from middle age. In Spain more than a million people suffer from this disease. Although there are several types of glaucoma, the vast majority of cases appear to be hereditary. Exercise and diet are the most effective strategies to reduce risk. Also, getting your eyes checked regularly (every two to three years after age 40 and every one to two years after age 60) will help uncover glaucoma-related changes that can be treated before irreversible eye damage occurs.

glaucoma symptoms

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged. It is believed that the cause may be excessive intraocular pressure, but there are cases of glaucoma in which this problem does not occur.

Early in the development of the disease there are no symptoms. Vision remains normal and there is no pain, but over time you may see rings around light sources and notice that peripheral (side) vision gradually deteriorates. You can see objects in front of you clearly, but you can miss those next to you. If the disease is not diagnosed and treated, the ability to see objects to the sides will eventually be lost and the angle of vision will narrow until complete blindness.

There is a type of glaucoma, called “acute” or “narrow angle” glaucoma It can develop suddenly and is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Symptoms include severe eye pain, blurred vision, dilated pupils, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. These acute cases represent only 10 percent of all glaucomas.

If detected early, treatment can slow disease progression and sometimes preserve the view. Most people are treated with drops that lower intraocular pressure, which is a risk factor. If that is not enough, other therapies are used, such as laser treatment or surgery to drain fluid from inside the eye and thus reduce pressure, but these interventions can only prevent or delay worsening. They are not used to restore vision because damage to the optic nerve cannot be repaired.

Intense physical exercise reduces the risk of glaucoma

For years, scientists have been looking for specific measures to prevent vision loss. A recent study suggests that the most effective strategy to prevent glaucoma is stay physically active. Researchers at the University of California, led by Dr. Victoria L. Tseng, discovered that exercise can change the blood flow to the eye and the pressure inside. They found that the most physically active people had a 73% lower risk of developing glaucoma compared with the least active people.

To determine the level of physical activity, the researchers measured walking speed and steps per minute using fitness trackers. After analyzing the data, the research team concluded that For every 10-minute increase in moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, the risk of glaucoma decreased by 25 percent.

Walking faster corresponds to a lower risk of glaucoma

The researchers suggest that people who walk or run at a faster pace and take more steps may further reduce their risk of glaucoma, compared to people who play sports at a slower pace and speed.

Studies have already shown that exercise has a positive effect on intraocular pressure. Running or cycling can reduce intraocular pressure by up to 13 mmHg in glaucoma patients. Even a brisk 20-minute walk can lower intraocular pressure by 1.5 mmHg. An increase of just 1 mmHg would increase the risk of eye damage by ten percent.

The researchers note that the direct relationship between glaucoma and physical activity needs further investigation before clinical guidelines can be formulated on the findings. Until then, the experts advise all patients to exercise, as this is good for both general health and eyesight.

Can glaucoma be prevented or treated with diet?

Some research indicates that a low-carbohydrate diet may be linked to a lower risk of developing glaucoma. The research, conducted by scientists at Harvard University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, found that a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein it causes changes in the eyes that can prevent the disease, even in people at high risk for hereditary reasons. However, the researchers noted that diet does not stop the progression of glaucoma if it has already started to develop.

Study author Louis R. Pasquale, MD, vice president of research for ophthalmology at Mount Sinai, noted that the low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein diet could reduce the risk by 20 percent of developing the most common type of glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma). The diet is probably more effective in people with some genetic predisposition, according to research.

Drawing from the medical literature on glaucoma, Dr. Andrew Weil, a professor at the University of Arizona and an expert in integrative medicine, recommends the following preventive measures:

Walk briskly daily or carry out an exercise program to improve general circulation. Take a vitamin C or antioxidant supplement. Reduce caffeine consumption. Stop smoking, as this habit is a risk factor.

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