5 Simple Tips to Protect Your Eyes From Glaucoma

Glaucoma can steal your vision often without noticeable symptoms. It’s a group of diseases that raises pressure around the optic nerve, which may lead to permanent vision loss if untreated.

Regular eye exams at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge are the best way to prevent and manage glaucoma. Our team of four experienced ophthalmologists offers general eye exams, glaucoma treatments, and laser vision correction.

Glaucoma facts

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that raises pressure on the optic nerve. This pressure causes damage and vision loss.

Glaucoma has no early symptoms when it's most treatable. Without regular eye exams, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Various forms of glaucoma exist, including open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Those at risk for glaucoma are people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, have had a previous eye injury, and those who are nearsighted or farsighted.

You’re also at risk if you’re over 40, have a family member with glaucoma, or have higher-than-normal eye pressures.

Five tips to prevent glaucoma

Although glaucoma can happen to anyone, it’s essential to understand the prevention measures. The sooner you start preventing glaucoma, the less likely you are to develop it.

We offer many tips and strategies to keep glaucoma at bay, but our five simplest tips to prevent glaucoma include:

1. Protect your eyes

Protect your eyes to avoid injuries and lower your risk of glaucoma. Wear safety glasses for home projects and outdoor work. Use proper sports equipment to prevent eye injuries.

2. Shield your eyes from UV rays

UV rays from the sun harm your eyes. Wear UV-protective sunglasses or eyewear to shield your eyes and help prevent glaucoma.

3. Limit caffeine intake

Caffeine doesn't cause high eye pressure, but it can raise the risk if you're already at risk for glaucoma. Limit caffeine to one or two cups of coffee a day.

4. Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Eat well and exercise to stay healthy and reduce glaucoma risk. Get regular moderate exercise and eat leafy greens and colorful fruits for better eye health.

5. Schedule regular eye exams

The absolute best way to prevent glaucoma is through regular eye exams. At these exams, we evaluate eye health and check intraocular pressure to detect glaucoma early, when we can treat it most effectively.

The sooner we find high eye pressure, the easier it is to treat and preserve vision. Early detection helps prevent permanent vision loss.

If you already have glaucoma, we offer various treatments to reduce eye pressure. We offer medicated eye drops to lower intraocular pressure. You use these every day to maintain healthy eyes.

Laser correction is another treatment option if you can’t tolerate the eye drops or want a permanent fix for glaucoma.

To get your glaucoma screening, schedule an appointment at our Brooklyn, New York, office for an eye exam. Contact Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge today, or book your general eye exam online.