The majority of people are unaware of the fact that 75 percent of potential vision loss can be prevented or treated in some way. This largely depends on patients taking responsibility for their own eye health and being knowledgeable about many aspects related to it.
Vision Loss Symptoms and Causes
Families and caregivers should be aware of the various symptoms of a senior’s vision loss. These may consist of, but are not restricted to:
- Having trouble reading small print
- Squinting
- Focusing by tilting the head
- Running into objects
- Tipping over objects
- Avoiding vision-focused activities like reading and writing
- Items that go missing when you grab for them.
- Having trouble seeing in low light
- Difficulty moving about inside or outside
- Loss of the capacity to distinguish between dark colours like black and dark blue
Sudden vision loss can occur suddenly, and the symptoms may worsen as a result of conditions like:
- Stroke
- Accidental brain damage
- Brain cancer
- Brain operations
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
Exercise regularly
Recent research has shown that those who participate in moderate to vigorous levels of physical exercise tend to have a 73% lower risk of acquiring glaucoma. This is due to the fact that exercise can produce changes in both blood flow and pressure within the eye, which can in turn affect glaucoma risk.
Consume a diet that is abundant in fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are green and leafy in colour. According to the findings of one study, individuals who consumed a greater quantity of vegetables with a leafy appearance had a 20–30 percentage point decreased risk of developing glaucoma. Why? Nitrates found in green vegetables are capable of being turned into nitric oxide, which has the potential to enhance blood flow and assist in the regulation of pressure found within the eye.
Coffee should be consumed in moderation. Even better, switch to tea instead of coffee in the morning. According to the findings of a study that was released at the beginning of this month, the risk of developing glaucoma was reduced by 74% in individuals who drank at least one cup of hot tea per day compared to individuals who did not drink hot tea. Caffeine should be consumed in moderation, however drinking too much coffee is not recommended. According to the findings of one study, consuming five cups of coffee or more that contains caffeine daily was associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma. How exactly might drinking tea be helpful? It is possible that the antioxidants and flavonoids that are included in tea can increase the body’s ability to defend itself against the destructive effects of free radicals.
Use of Magnesium Supplement
Take into consideration the use of a magnesium supplement. According to a number of studies, persons diagnosed with glaucoma could potentially benefit from increasing their magnesium consumption through diet. Why? Magnesium seems to have a good effect on the vision loss of glaucoma sufferers in addition to its ability to promote circulation. However, the results of another study suggest that consuming an excessive amount of magnesium can be linked to an increased risk of glaucoma.
Brush your teeth, use dental floss, and see your dentist on a consistent basis. A recent study suggested that an increased risk of glaucoma may be associated with the loss of teeth. This is because periodontal disease has the potential to set off an inflammatory response, which is known to have a role in the development of glaucoma.
Don’t smoke. According to a number of studies, smoking cigarettes not only raises the prospect of developing glaucoma but also has a deleterious effect on one’s overall eye health.
Keep your weight at a healthy and stable level
According to several studies, those who have a higher body mass index (BMI) are at an increased risk for developing diabetes. In addition, having diabetes puts an individual at an elevated risk for developing glaucoma. Having a body mass index (BMI) that is too low is also related with an increased risk of glaucoma.
When practising yoga, you should avoid inverted poses. According to several studies, head-down positions can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure and are therefore not advised for glaucoma sufferers. There is a large number of yoga poses that do not have this impact.
Avoid neckties
According to the findings of certain studies, wearing a necktie that is excessively snug might raise the intraocular pressure, which in turn raises the chance of developing glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a condition that should be checked for on a regular basis, especially if there is a history of it in your family. Recent research has led to the discovery of a number of genes that are linked to an increased likelihood of developing glaucoma. Persons of African heritage, people who have diabetes, and people who have a family history of glaucoma are all at an increased risk of developing the eye disease glaucoma. If any of your parents or one of your brothers or sisters has glaucoma, your likelihood of developing the disease is increased.
