Glaucoma by Jane Cronin

The Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma is actually a collection of conditions that have been grouped together as they cause sight loss by damaging the optic nerve. This damage occurs from excessive pressure inside the eye, caused by excess eye fluids. Things are fine when new fluid is created and excess fluid is drained off.  Most problems start when fluid cannot be drained, so the pressure inside the eye builds and the optic nerve at the back gets squashed and damaged over time. (The optic nerve is vitally important for sight as it carries visual images to the brain for processing; any damage to the optic nerve is irreversible).

The most common type of glaucoma, accounting for 60-70% cases, is called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and is caused by gradual congestion in the drainage canals or hardening of the tissues around them.  (A bit like a blocked drain) This results in a gradual loss of peripheral vision, which goes unnoticed until it is fairly advanced. Some signs may be headaches, eye pain, red eyes, halos round lights and blurred vision, but these mostly occur later on with disease progression.

Risk factors include the following:

Being over 60 Family history Smoking Eye injury High blood pressure Low thyroid function Heart disease Diabetes Low nitric oxide

Prevention:

The number 1 suggestion is to get your eyes examined regularly, with specific checks for glaucoma.  The recommendation is to have a test by 45 years of age and 5 yearly thereafter.

Advancing age is associated with a number of degenerative eye conditions such as Glaucoma, Cataracts and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It has been shown that genetics, diet and lifestyle can have a strong impact on age related eye disorders.

A healthy diet, with lots of coloured fruit and vegetables has been shown to support general health and wellbeing and eye health. For individuals wanting additional support the following nutrients have been shown to support healthy vision and eye health:

• Omega-3 and antioxidants such as selenium, zinc, vitamins A,  C, D, E and CoQ10.
• Carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are naturally present in macular pigment to protect the eyes from damaging blue light. 
• Vitamin C and flavonoids such as rutin, which work together in the body to help protect against free radical damage and support collagen production, both of which are essential for healthy vision and long term eye health.
• Bilberry from the Blueberry family, which has also been widely used to support eye health.

 

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