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Glaucoma - Lifestyle Changes

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of glaucoma.

Lifestyle Changes:

Studies suggest that patients with glaucoma who exercise regularly (at least 3 times a week) may be able to reduce their intraocular pressure by an average of 20%. If they stop exercising for more than 2 weeks, pressure increases again. In one study, those who walked briskly 4 times a week for 40 minutes were able to go off their medications. (Although not confirmed by any evidence, yoga or other exercises that involve head-down or inverted positions may be harmful for patients with glaucoma and should be discussed with the doctor.)

Exercise has no effect on closed-angle glaucoma. It may, in fact, increase eye pressure in patients with pigmentary glaucoma. Vigorous high-impact exercise may cause more pigment to be released from the iris in these patients. Patients should talk to their doctor about an appropriate exercise program.

Diet

Antioxidants in Foods and Supplements. Diet most likely plays very little role in glaucoma. There has been no definitive evidence for an association between important nutrients associated with protection against other eye disorders, including vitamins C, E, A, and carotenoids.

Caffeine. Some studies have shown that large amounts of caffeine drunk in a short period of time can elevate eye pressure for up to 3 hours.

Fluids. Drinking large amounts (a quart or more) of any liquid within a short time, about 30 minutes, appears to increase pressure. Patients with glaucoma should have plenty of fluids, but they should drink them in small amounts over the course of a day.

Sunglasses

Glaucoma can cause the eyes to be very sensitive to light and glare. Medications can worsen this problem. Sunglasses solve this problem and are important for prevention of cataracts. Protective sunglasses do not have to be expensive. Sunglasses are classified into three categories based on protection against ultraviolet radiation (UV) A or B:

  • Cosmetic-purpose sunglasses block at least 70% UVB and up to 60% UVA. People should avoid these glasses if they have any risk for cataracts or eye problems.
  • General-purpose sunglasses block at least 95% UVB and a minimum of 60% UVA. At the very least, people should purchase general purpose sunglasses labeled "Meets ANSI Z80.3 General Purpose UV Requirements.” Labels should indicate that sunglasses block UV radiation up to 400 nm.
  • Special-purpose sunglasses block at least 99% UVB and a minimum of 60% UVA rays. These are the optimal sunglasses for people at risk for eye disease. Special purpose glasses should wrap around the head and block light coming from above, below, and both sides of the glasses. They should also fit snugly on the nose.
  • Lenses that are simply dark but not coated with UV-absorbing material may increase the risk of cataracts because the pupil widens to compensate for the shaded glass. This may allow more harmful ultraviolet waves to enter the eye. Polarized glasses cut glare but have no effect on UV radiation. Mirror finishes without additional processing for UV blockage also are not fully protective. There is some controversy over whether blue light is harmful to the eyes. Some people prefer amber lenses, which block out the blue spectrum.

Nontraditional Treatments

Acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback, and relaxation methods can help counteract stress, and there are some anecdotal reports that they may help some people with open-angle glaucoma, but no rigorous evidence confirms their benefit. A number of herbal and nontraditional remedies have been advertised as glaucoma remedies. A few studies have reported that the herbal remedy ginkgo biloba may have properties that offer benefits to patients with glaucoma, including increasing blood flow in the eye without altering overall blood pressure, heart rate, or intraocular pressure. More research is, however, needed.

Herbs and Supplements

Generally, manufacturers of herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not need FDA approval to sell their products. Just like a drug, herbs and supplements can affect the body's chemistry, and therefore have the potential to produce side effects that may be harmful. There have been a number of reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. Always check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies or dietary supplements.

The following is of special concern for people with glaucoma:

  • Bilberry, a European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), is sold in natural food stores as a glaucoma remedy. Studies indicate that it may help some people improve night vision and glare, but it is not at all effective in preventing or treating glaucoma.

Resources

References

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Burr JM, Mowatt G, Hernández R, Siddiqui MA, Cook J, Lourenco T, et al. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for open angle glaucoma: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess. 2007 Oct;11(41):iii-iv, ix-x, 1-190.

Chang R, Budenz DL. New developments in optical coherence tomography for glaucoma. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar;19(2):127-35.

Dueker DK, Singh K, Lin SC, Fechtner RD, Minckler DS, Samples JR, et al. Corneal thickness measurement in the management of primary open-angle glaucoma: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2007 Sep;114(9):1779-87.

Gedde SJ, Schiffman JC, Feuer WJ, Herndon LW, Brandt JD, Budenz DL. Treatment outcomes in the tube versus trabeculectomy study after one year of follow-up. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Jan;143(1):9-22.

Hara T, Hara T, Tsuru T. Increase of peak intraocular pressure during sleep in reproduced diurnal changes by posture. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006 Feb;124(2):165-8.

Hatt S, Wormald R, Burr J. Screening for prevention of optic nerve damage due to chronic open angle glaucoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Oct 18;(4):CD006129.

Hernández R, Rabindranath K, Fraser C, Vale L, Blanco AA, Burr JM; OAG Screening Project Group. Screening for open angle glaucoma: systematic review of cost-effectiveness studies. J Glaucoma. 2008 Apr-May;17(3):159-68.

Higginbotham EJ. Managing glaucoma during pregnancy. JAMA. 2006 Sep 13;296(10):1284-5.

Hodge WG, Lachaine J, Steffensen I, Murray C, Barnes D, Foerster V, et al. The efficacy and harm of prostaglandin analogues for IOP reduction in glaucoma patients compared to dorzolamide and brimonidine: a systematic review. Br J Ophthalmol. 2008 Jan;92(1):7-12.

Lam DS, Tham CC, Lai JS, Leung DY. Current approaches to the management of acute primary angle closure. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2007 Mar;18(2):146-51.

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Lemij HG, Reus NJ. New developments in scanning laser polarimetry for glaucoma. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar;19(2):136-40.

Leske MC, Heijl A, Hyman L, Bengtsson B, Dong L, Yang Z; EMGT Group. Predictors of long-term progression in the early manifest glaucoma trial. Ophthalmology. 2007 Nov;114(11):1965-72. Epub 2007 Jul 12.

Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):262-7.

Rauscher FM, Barton K, Budenz DL, Feuer WJ, Tseng SC. Long-term outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation for repair of leaking glaucoma filtering blebs. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Jun;143(6):1052-4.

Rivera JL, Bell NP, Feldman RM. Risk factors for primary open angle glaucoma progression: what we know and what we need to know. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar;19(2):102-6.

Rolim de Moura C, Paranhos A Jr, Wormald R. Laser trabeculoplasty for open angle glaucoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD003919.

Rosenberg EA, Sperazza LC. The visually impaired patient. Am Fam Physician. 2008 May 15;77(10):1431-6.

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Wishart MS, Dagres E. Seven-year follow-up of combined cataract extraction and viscocanalostomy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2006 Dec;32(12):2043-9.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/9/2008
  • Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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