Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Do’s & Don’ts of Treatment

#GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Do’s & Don’ts of Treatment

Close up of a human eye
Get-hooked January 27, 2021
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
2

Glaucoma is the leading cause of vision loss among Americans, particularly people over the age of 40. There is no cure for this condition but there are many things one should do and should not do to keep the condition from worsening.

January is marked as Glaucoma Awareness Month. This related eye disease, which is age-related, affects over three million Americans, mainly over the age of 40.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve in the eye. This is the nerve that sends images to the brain. It’s often linked to a build-up of pressure inside the eye called intraocular pressure. The condition gets worse over time and if left untreated can cause permanent vision loss. People with glaucoma who follow their treatment plan and have regular eye check-ups can keep their vision.

Tips for Living with Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a lifelong condition and needs continual follow-up with your eye doctor. There are other things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy.

Here are do’s and don’ts when you have glaucoma.

  • Exercise regularly – Regular exercise helps reduce eye pressure and keep blood flowing to the nerves in your eye. But check with your doctor about the exercise program as some activities like weight lifting can raise pressure.

“Do not hold your breath when lifting heavy weights”, advises Dr Tania Lamba, glaucoma specialist at the DC Veterans Affair Medical Center and Clinical Assistant Professor at the George Washington University. “If you have glaucoma it can cause the eye pressure to increase”.

  • Healthy diet – A healthy, well-rounded diet helps keep the body and eyes healthy. Eat food rich in nutrients like dark, leafy greens for instance.
  • Don’t miss your medications – Ensure you take your eye drops or medicines as directed by the doctor. Being careless about your medication can make the condition worse. Dr Lamba advises gently closing the eyes for one to two minutes after putting in the eye drops and waiting five minutes between drops if you are using many drops at the same time. Sharing eye drops with other people is also strictly a no-no. “There are many different types of glaucoma eye drops!”, she warns. Another reason to not share is to avoid cross infection from the medication bottle”.

“Do take your drops every day and as close to “on time” as possible. They only work to lower your eye pressure when you get them into your eye”, cautions Dr Jullia A. Rosdahl, MD PhD, a glaucoma specialist at Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina.

  • Don’t smoke – Smoking raises blood pressure and eye inflammation. This increases your chances of getting diabetes and cataracts – both of which are risk factors for glaucoma.
  • Limit intake of caffeine. – Control the amount of soda, coffee, and tea you drink as too much caffeine can raise eye pressure.
  • Elevate your head – Using a wedge pillow while sleeping so that your head is raised a little can help lower eye pressure when you sleep. Dr Rosdahl recommends the use of a 30-degree wedge pillow especially for people with advanced glaucoma.
  • Drink fluids slowly – Sip your beverages through the day as drinking too much at once can strain the eyes.
  • Regular eye check-ups – Don’t miss out on regular eye exams. It is important to get regular checks to make sure the glaucoma is stable”, says Dr Lamba. “You may not know if the glaucoma is getting worse as the changes are usually slow and painless”.
  • Protect the eyes – Wear goggles while swimming and replace your makeup often. Always wear sunglasses outside especially in summer.
  • Be mindful with yoga – Certain yoga positions are to be avoided. These include head-down moves that put your heart above your eye. These can raise your eye pressure. Avoid poses like downward-facing dog, standing forward bend, plow, and poses that involve putting your legs up on the wall.
  • Avoid medical marijuana – This is not recommended for glaucoma. “We have better treatment options that we can monitor and that are more predictable”, says Dr Lamba. “With marijuana we cannot predict the outcomes and it causes other undesirable side effects”.

You cannot prevent glaucoma so getting regular eye exams in critical. If you are over the age of 40 and have a family history of glaucoma, you must get yourself checked regularly. Do check with other family members if they have been screened for glaucoma as glaucoma can run in families.

Watch in Sign Language

2

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy
  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Close up of blind cook Christine Ha

Get-hooked

“Find ways to help yourself” – Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s powerful message for women with disabilities

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Parasports

'Playing golf gives me satisfaction, makes me happy' - My Take by Ankush Saha, para golfer

Get-hooked

#ChampionsWithCP – Rohit Jain believes he is different, not disabled

Get-hooked

Parenting Corner – Fun activities for vacations

Get-hooked

At Sristi village, people with intellectual disabilities get the opportunity to find their potential

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.