Is There a Link Between Glaucoma and Diet?

When it comes to nutrition, it’s easy to find endless claims about which foods are the best and how different diets correlate to different disorders. Of course, what isn’t easy is deciphering which claims to follow. If you’re wondering if you can prevent glaucoma by changing up your dinner, we’ll look at what you should know about the two.

Glaucoma and Nutrition
The long and short is that there is no direct link between glaucoma and nutrition, though there does seem to be some correlation. The standard advice is to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants because they protect against oxidative stress that may lead to optic nerve damage. This includes many fruits and veggies, preferably leafy greens like chard, kale, or spinach. You might also consider adding in nuts, fish, and black beans into the mix.

Fast Facts about Your Optic Nerves
Glaucoma occurs when the fluids in your eye build up, putting too much pressure on the optic nerve. The first few symptoms tend to be blind spots in the field of vision, largely because the fluids in your eye aren’t flowing and draining as well as they once did. There are different types of glaucoma, with some progressing far more rapidly than others. No matter how healthy your diet is, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your vision and schedule an eye appointment in Pittsburgh, PA, as soon as possible.

Eye Exams in Pittsburgh
Regular eye exams can catch early signs of glaucoma, especially when you visit the same facility year after year. If you’re looking for an optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA, who can monitor how your eyes change, the staff at Lappen Eye Care is here to help.