Although there is no known direct connection between nutrition and glaucoma, certain foods have been identified that increase the intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eyes and can potentially make glaucoma worse. For instance, trans fatty acids (foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils) can raise cholesterol levels, eventually causing blood vessel damage. Foods containing high amounts of saturated fats can lead to weight gain and other health conditions that worsen glaucoma. Simple carbohydrates can elevate insulin levels, raising the blood pressure and your IOP. Caffeine and alcohol consumption can also raise your IOP. Also, drinking large volumes of water or other liquids at a time may raise the intraocular pressure of your eyes. Medications that contain steroids should also be avoided because steroids can elevate your intraocular eye pressure and worsen the damage to your optic nerve.
Foods that may help prevent glaucoma from worsening include green leafy vegetables, fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C and A, antioxidant rich foods, complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, potatoes, beans, peas and lentils (foods which contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants).
Click the link to learn more about glaucoma.
Would you like to talk with someone about your vision? Contact us today at (843) 553-2477 to schedule an appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Your diet is of utmost importance in managing Graves’ Disease. There is a connection between people having an intolerance to gluten, such as in Celiac disease, and those having autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Eye Disease...
Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune eye condition that is often seen in people with thyroid disease and is usually abbreviated TED. It tends to run in families and is more frequent in women and in smokers...
Do not drive the first day following surgery. Protect your eyes from bright sunlight and keep the protective shield taped over your eye for several hours according to your surgeon’s instructions. Do not rub or push on your eye...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have not approved any non-surgical cures for cataracts. However, there is ongoing research into topical treatments for cataracts...
Most age-related cataracts typically develop over a span of years, even decades. It’s a comparatively slow process...
A new analysis of existing research suggests that emotional or psychological stress can be a consequence and a cause of vision loss. In the case of cataracts, the exact origin is not known...
