10 Tips to Reduce Your Chance of Losing Vision from the Most Common Cause of Blindness

American Academy of Ophthalmology offers advice on how patients can take control of their health beyond medications and surgery

SAN FRANCISCO –– Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, affecting nearly 60 million people. Treatment can slow its progression, but there is no cure. It has long been thought that lifestyle choices do not play a role in glaucoma, but several recent studies show that lifestyle factors can influence eye pressure, which is a major risk factor for the disease. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, the American Academy of Ophthalmology wants to remind people that certain habits may help minimize the risk of losing vision, beyond drugs and surgery. 

1. Exercise regularly. A recent study showed that people who engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity appear to have a 73 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. This is because blood flow and pressure inside the eye may change with exercise, which may affect glaucoma risk.
2. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially green, leafy ones. One study showed that people who ate more leafy vegetables have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Why? Nitrates in green vegetables can be converted to nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and help regulate pressure inside the eye.
3. Drink coffee in moderation. Better yet, drink tea instead of coffee. A study published last month showed that people who consumed at least one cup of hot tea daily had 74 percent decreased odds of having glaucoma compared with those who did not consume hot tea. A little coffee is fine, but excessive caffeine intake is not ideal. One study found that drinking 5 or more cups of caffeinated coffee increased the risk of developing glaucoma. How can tea help? Antioxidants and the flavonoids contained in tea may improve the body’s ability to prevent the harmful effects of free radical damage.
4. Consider taking a magnesium supplement. Studies suggest that an adequate intake of dietary magnesium may be beneficial for patients with glaucoma. Why? Magnesium improves circulation and seems to have a beneficial effect on glaucoma patients’ vision. However, another study suggests that too much magnesium may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma.
5. Brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly. A recent study showed that tooth loss may be linked to increased glaucoma risk. This is because periodontal disease may trigger an inflammatory response that can contribute to glaucoma.
6. Don’t smoke. Studies indicate that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of glaucoma, and has an overall negative impact on eye health.
7. Maintain a healthy body weight. Studies show that people with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for diabetes, and having diabetes puts people at risk of glaucoma. Having a too low BMI is also associated with increased glaucoma risk.
8. Avoid inverted postures in yoga. Studies show head-down positions can increase eye pressure and are not recommended for glaucoma patients. There are plenty of yoga exercises that don’t have this effect
9. Avoid neckties. Researchers say that a too-tight necktie may increase the risk of glaucoma by increasing blood pressure inside the eyes.  

10. Get screened regularly for glaucoma, especially if you have a family history of the condition. Researchers have recently identified certain genes that increase the risk of glaucoma. Those at higher risk of glaucoma include people of African descent, people with diabetes, and those with a family history of glaucoma. You are at increased risk if you have a parent or brother or sister with glaucoma. 

“Some patients say that they feel powerless against a disease like glaucoma,” said Davinder Grover, M. D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “By offering information about lifestyle factors, we hope to help empower them to live their lives in a way that will have the greatest positive impact on this disease, and improve their quality of life immediately.” 

Because there is not enough clinical data to make broad recommendations regarding lifestyle factors, you should discuss with your doctor whether specific changes may be appropriate for you. 

For individuals age 65 or older who are concerned about their risk of eye disease, you may be eligible for a medical eye exam often at no out-of-pocket cost through the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America^® program. For those at increased risk for glaucoma, they may qualify for a glaucoma exam through EyeCare America. This public service program matches volunteer ophthalmologists with eligible patients in need of eye care across the United States. To see if you or a loved one qualifies, visit EyeCare America to determine your eligibility.  

For more information on glaucoma or other eye conditions and diseases, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart^® website. 

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

 The Best Ways to Protect Your Vision and Prevent Blindness

Preventive care is one of the best ways to protect your vision and prevent blindness. A good example of preventive vision care is your annual visit to the eye doctor for an eye exam. Otherwise, you may not ever think about your eye health.

Maybe you do not realize that your vision changes as you age. In elder years, many people experience blindness, a condition you can work to prevent by following some eye health recommendations. We explore some of those preventive measures to protect your vision and prevent blindness, below.
 

What you eat is important to protect your vision. Many foods can even help prevent blindness. The best foods for eye health include:

• Green leafy vegetables for lutein and zeaxanthin

• Bright yellow and orange vegetables for vitamin A

• Strawberries, mangoes and oranges for vitamin C and antioxidants

• Salmon and other cold-water fish for omega 3s
   

Lutein and zeaxanthin reduce your risk for eye diseases. Vitamin A, vitamin C and other antioxidants also promote good eye health and reduce disease risk. For tear production and relief from dry eyes, indulge in fish containing omega 3 fatty acids.
 

Stop Smoking

Smoking enables cyanide from the smoke to enter your bloodstream. Once in your blood, the vascular system sends this cyanide to your eye cells easily damaged by the toxin. By smoking, you also increase your potential for cataracts, dry eyes and macular degeneration.
 

Protect Your Eyes from the Sun

A great way to prevent blindness and protect your vision is to shield your eyes from UV rays. You can prevent cancers that damage your eyes by starting in your eyelids, such as carcinoma and melanoma. Simply wear sunglasses and wear sunscreen when outdoors. Avoid using tanning beds, too. But if you do use these sunlamps, wear appropriate eye protection.
 

Use the 20-20-20 Rule for Computer Use

Did you know that working on your computer all day can cause eye health problems? In fact, it is a leading cause of dry eyes. Dry eyes also occur from certain medications and hormonal changes of aging.

To prevent dry eyes and protect your vision, use the 20-20-20 rule when working on a computer. This rule involves looking away from your computer screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at an object 20 or more feet away. You can also use artificial tears recommended by your eye doctor to protect your eyes from dryness.
 

Control Your Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. This makes preventing diabetes an important method to prevent blindness. If you already have diabetes, control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. If you receive a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, ask about having laser surgery to stop its progression and protect your vision.

Glaucoma is another common eye health problem for people with diabetes, as well as non-diabetics with a family history of the condition. To protect your vision and prevent blindness, see your eye doctor regularly. If you receive a glaucoma diagnosis, use prescribed eye drops to reduce damaging eye pressure or discuss glaucoma surgery with your ophthalmologist.
 

Get Treated for Cataracts

If you have cataracts, you have one of the most common eye health problems related to aging. The good news? Treatment works. Eat healthy foods proven to be good for your eyes and avoid exposure to UV rays for prevention. Undergo cataract treatment if your eye doctor diagnoses this common cause of blindness in your eyes.
 

See Your Eye Doctor at Least Once Every Year or Two Years

Depending on your age, you should see your eye doctor at least once yearly or every two years. Talk to your eye doctor about ways to protect your vision and prevent blindness. In North Carolina and the Hampton Roads of Virginia, visit Clarity Vision Eye Health Centers for your eye exam and a broad range of prescription eyewear. Locations include:

• Smithfield, NC

• Apex, NC

• Williamston, NC

• Clayton, NC

• Holly Springs, NC

• Suffolk, VA

Schedule your visit with Clarity Vision today.

How to prevent blindness in half of the world’s population

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How to prevent blindness in half of the world’s population

ISSN 2305-2066 (Print)
ISSN 2658-5049 (Online)

How to avoid blindness – glasses no longer help – MEDINVEST eye clinic

Many eye diseases cannot be cured by simple gymnastics or glasses. But in the arsenal of ophthalmologists today the surgeon’s scalpel, laser and ultrasound. In the hands of a good doctor, they work real miracles. Doctors return to Chelyabinsk residents not only a clear picture of the world, but also save them from blindness in such complex eye diseases as cataracts, keratoconus and age-related macular degeneration.

Changing the lens

Cataract is one of the most common diseases among the elderly. It will not be difficult to detect it: the lens of the eye begins to become cloudy and, in the end, stops transmitting light, like a window frozen with ice. At first, the vision just sits down, and then the visibility disappears.

The disease, unfortunately, is irreversible – you can’t stop clouding with folk remedies or medicine. The only way out is to replace the lens with an artificial one. And it is better to carry out the operation at an early stage.

With an advanced stage of cataract, its removal becomes more complicated and the invasiveness of the operation increases, – says the ophthalmologist of the clinic, candidate of medical sciences, Dmitry Fironov. – In addition, a swollen lens increases intraocular pressure. Because of this, secondary glaucoma can occur, which, if left untreated, also leads to blindness.

Lens replacement surgery gives a 100% recovery. In the eye clinic “Medinvest” such operations are performed for 16 years. Experienced doctors using modern expert-class equipment eliminate cataracts of any complexity in 20 minutes, and after a couple of hours they let the patient go home.

Correcting the shape of the cornea

Behind the complex word “keratoconus” is an eye disease that leads to thinning of the cornea and to a change in its shape – the cornea protrudes forward like a cone. At some point, the thinned tissue can even tear, which threatens with a complete loss of vision.

• Little is known about this disease, although, according to various estimates, 8% of people are affected by it, says Dmitry Fironov. A regular examination by an ophthalmologist helps to detect an ailment, and you need to go through it from childhood.

Until recently, the only way to treat the cornea was its transplantation. But European doctors have developed a therapeutic method to strengthen and correct the cornea using ultrasound – cross-linking. As a side effect, the patient often gets an improvement in vision. The Medinvest clinic was one of the first in Chelyabinsk and in Russia to introduce cross-linking into medical practice and has been successfully using it for several years now.

Fighting back old age

Another common problem is age-related macular degeneration of the eye. This disease is associated with loss of vision, which occurs due to the proliferation of blood vessels. To stop it, ophthalmologists inject a unique drug called Lucentis into the eye. Today it is the only drug that guarantees the preservation and improvement of vision, and the effect of one procedure is enough for about six months. Recently, this service can also be obtained at the Medinvest eye clinic. The first patients have already appreciated its effectiveness.

It is worth noting that all these treatments are intended for patients over 18 years of age. Any intervention is performed when the human eye is already formed.

Before starting treatment in our clinic, the patient undergoes a comprehensive examination of the visual system and receives a consultation with an ophthalmologist. This allows doctors to make an accurate diagnosis, make sure there are no contraindications and choose the most effective method of treatment. After any operation, all patients are observed at the Medinvest Eye Clinic free of charge for six months. And so that payment for services does not force you to change your life habits, the clinic gives all patients an interest-free installment plan for ten months.

Take advantage of the rich experience of specialists, modern technologies, expert-class equipment and the opportunity to save money.

Call: +7 (351) 220-15-05

Chelyabinsk, st. Kalinina, d. 5-B

Working hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00 – 17:00

Sat: 10:00 -15:00

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