Glaucoma is a very common eye problem that happens through a series of eye conditions that can sometimes lead to blindness. Symptoms of this condition can vary from none to eye pain with nausea, eye redness, sudden visual disturbance, etc. Due to high amounts of pressure on the eye, the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain gets damaged with glaucoma. While this condition can be controlled through treatment to keep it under control, it, unfortunately, cannot be permanently cured. To manage glaucoma effectively, there are certain things you should avoid. For starters, here are things you should stay away from:
- Coffee: Caffeine has been known to increase levels of intraocular pressure (fluid pressure) inside the eye. Since this is the very thing that can worsen your glaucoma condition considerably, experts suggest it’s in a patient’s best interest to remove caffeinated beverages from their diet completely.
- Saturated Fats: Saturated fats are known to increase your weight, leading to negative effects on your Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity. This can also lead to an increase in intraocular pressure and cause more injury to your eye. To avoid this, you should stay away from foods like cakes, bacon, cheese, ghee, butter, etc., that contain high levels of saturated fats.
- Simple Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates increase insulin levels in your body, which is not beneficial for glaucoma patients. In fact, that can lead to an increase in blood pressure and intraocular pressure. This, in turn, can lead to bleeding and blockage at the injured part of your eye, so it’s best to steer clear of simple carbohydrates. Instead, consume foods with complex carbohydrates like vegetables, beans, oatmeal, corn, etc.
- Food Allergens: If you have glaucoma, it is important to make sure you’re aware of all your food allergens and stay away from them. Any adverse allergic reactions can disrupt your body’s homeostasis and affect the glaucomatous part of your eye negatively. Make sure you talk to your physician about this so you can effectively cut out food allergens from your diet.
- Trans Fatty Acids: Trans fatty acids are present in fried and baked foods like fries, doughnuts, fried chicken, frozen pizza, etc. These foods should be avoided as trans fats lead to an increase in your cholesterol levels which can cause severe blood vessel damage. This can cause greater optic nerve damage and worsen glaucoma.
- Intense Exercises: Exercise is usually recommended to glaucoma patients, but you should be careful with what you do. With weight lifting and similar exercises, remember to use lighter weights. Activities that require you to be upside down, for, e.g. yoga poses like a downward dog or headstands, should not be carried out to avoid unnecessary eye pressure.
Glaucoma is a condition that millions in India go through. With proper care and treatment, patients can still function well daily. This condition can also be prevented, and you can learn more about the same from Dr. Agarwal’s website. Remember not to delay medical checkups if you have any symptoms, book an appointment with experts at Dr. Agarwal, and take the best care of yourself.
