Glaucoma is
one of the leading causes of progressive and permanent vision loss in the
world. Characterized by a build-up of eye pressure that damages the optic
nerve, it is known as the silent thief of sight because it slowly causes
blindness without showing any symptoms until its later stages. It’s important
to note that treatment of glaucoma
only halts the progression of vision loss. The condition itself is incurable,
and damage done pre-treatment is irreparable.
In this
case, the age-old adage, “Prevention is better than cure.” applies. There are
plenty of ways by which you can reduce your risk of developing glaucoma, from
engaging in certain exercises to moderating the food you eat. Here’s a list of
what and what not to eat to promote eye health and prevent the development of
any eye disease, glaucoma or not:
What to Eat
If you want
perfectly good eyesight, don’t forget your fruits and vegetables. Dark, leafy
greens, yellows and oranges are especially rich in carotenoids, zeaxanthin and
the “eye vitamin” lutein, which not only promote vision health, but protect
against other illnesses as well. These include spinach, kale, cabbage, collard
greens, broccoli, carrot, Brussels sprout, sweet potatoes, beans, squash, mango
and peach.
A variety
of food is also a great source of vitamins beneficial for eye health, which
are:
·
Vitamin A:
carrots, egg yolks, sweet potatoes, milk, liver, mangos
·
Vitamin C:
citrus fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes, green peppers
·
Vitamin D:
fish liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna, dairy products
·
Vitamin E: eggs,
cereals, whole grains, fruits, leafy vegetables, nuts
Certain eye
conditions like cataracts and vision impairments have been linked to zinc
deficiency. Aside from supplements, you can up your daily zinc intake by
consuming red meat, poultry, beans, seafood, whole grains, cereals and dairy
products.
What to
Avoid
It’s not
enough to just eat eye-friendly food. You should also know which ones to avoid
or consume in moderation.
Caffeine,
for instance, is known for its antioxidant properties. However, drinking too
much can increase intraocular pressure and decrease blood flow to the retina.
Caffeine-rich products include coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks. Instead
of these, you may want to consider healthier alternatives like decaf coffee,
herbal tea, lemon water or hot water.
Drinking a
large amount of fluid in a short period of time is also harmful for your eyes. Similar
to excessive caffeine intake, doing so also increases intraocular pressure. To
prevent this, you should just control your fluid intake frequency, choosing to
sip small amounts several times throughout the day, instead of drinking a large
volume at once.
Dr. Steve
Seah is a Singapore eye specialist offers specialized services for the diagnosis and treatment
of cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and refractive errors. If you want
to book an appointment or learn more about the services offered at Steve Seah
Eye Centre, call (65) 6565 6888 or send a message at
steveseaheyecentre@gmail.com.
