From newborn babies to senior citizens and every age group in between, glaucoma is a risk for everyone. According to Glucoma.org over 3 million Americans are diagnosed with glaucoma, but only half of those are aware they have it. Glaucoma has many types, but the two most common types are open-angel and angel-closure. Open-Angel Glaucoma is caused by clogging of the drainage canals with results in increased eye pressure. The slowly developed condition can have symptoms that can go unnoticed. Angel- Closure Glaucoma on the other hand develops quickly with symptoms that are very noticeable and caused by blocked drainage canals that cause increased fluid pressure inside the eye. A relatable comparison would be a bicycle tire. The correct amount of pressure is required to ensure performance, but when the pressure is too high, risks for developing the disease are greater.
Glaucoma is not curable, but there are ways it can be controlled. From foods to incorporate in your diet, to medicine that comes in eyedrops or pill form. It can be detected from various eye exams from your eye doctor. Early detection is very important to decrease the chance of the eyes worsening. Below are some questions to ask your doctor, symptoms and some food you should incorporate to your diet.
Symptoms
- Severe pain in the forehead or eyes
- Eye Redness
- Decreased and blurred vision;
- Vision halos
- Headaches
- Nausea and Vomiting
Add the following to your diet
- Spinach
- Salmon
- Beets
- Argula
- Celery
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Fruits (peaches and apricots)
- Milk
- Liver
- Cheese
- Butter
- Green tea
- Dark chocolate
- Black tea
- Black coffee
Questions to ask your doctor
1.what are the common signs of glaucoma?
2. Which tests are performed to confirm I have glaucoma?
3. What is the long-term effect to the diagnoses?
4. Are there any activity restrictions?
5. How often do I need to have follow- up appointments?
6. How are my other health conditions affected with glaucoma?
In conclusion, one should avoid foods with high sodium and high-calorie fat foods and highly caffeinated beverages if diagnosed with glaucoma. Consuming a moderate amount of red wine, foods with omega-3 (fish and nuts) and eating lots of colorful fruit and vegetables will help reduce the risk.
