Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in India. In glaucoma, the optic nerve gets damaged. In glaucoma, vision loss starts with the peripheral side, and gradually the ability to see the side things get worse. We all think that it’s because of age (it is a deception in a human's mind that our eyesight gets weaker with age). That’s why many times, people don’t realize that they have glaucoma until they reach the advanced stage because glaucoma does not cause any symptoms. If left untreated, it may result in complete blindness or loss of vision. Glaucoma has got no complete cure. The condition cannot be reversed. But certainly, there are some preventive measures that can be taken to lower the risk of disease. A routine eye examination is one of them.

Healthy eating and physically active – Consuming healthy food and staying physically active aids in maintaining a healthy weight, keeping diabetes and hypertension away, and improving overall health. This lowers the risk of glaucoma and other diseases as well.

Follow portion control and include a diet full of lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy, ample fruits, and vegetables.

30 minutes of physical activity is mandatory, it includes moderate to intense exercises. And slowly you can increase this time to one hour.

Stress management along with a healthy diet and exercise can manage the body’s blood pressure.

Eye pressure is also closely associated with glaucoma. High eye pressure is a risk factor of glaucoma and not a causative factor.

Know the risk factor - Elderly population is at increased risk of glaucoma. Having a family history of glaucoma also increases the risk.

Protect your eyes – Injuries to the eyes can increase the risk of disease. Hence it is advisable to wear safety glasses and protective eyewear if an individual is involved in activities where there is a risk of injury to the eyes.

Routine examination of eyes – Annual eye examination with an ophthalmologist is the best way to protect yourself from glaucoma. This can help to make the diagnosis in its early stage. And early diagnosis is the key to success.

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.