The choices you make in life affect your health. That includes your eyesight. Establishing better habits now will pay off in the future. The following list will help you get started so that you can keep your vision for as long as possible.
- Be Proactive – Take a proactive approach by learning about your risks. You may be more likely to develop glaucoma if you are over age 40, have a family history, are farsighted, suffer an eye injury, have high blood pressure or use corticosteroids.
- Don’t Smoke – Smoking can be harmful to your health. While there isn’t currently a direct link to smoking and glaucoma, some studies found that it can cause intraocular pressure (IOP) to increase.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight – Obesity has been connected to age-related cataracts, maculopathy, and glaucoma. It can also bring on a host of other health problems. Keep a healthy weight to lower your risk of these and other diseases.
- Limit Caffeine – It’s okay to drink a little coffee. However, it should be enjoyed in limited quantities. A Blue Mountains Eye Study found that patients who drank coffee regularly had a noticeably higher IOP compared to those that don’t.
- Get Daily Exercise – Research has found that moderate to vigorous exercise like jogging may lower your risk of glaucoma. In one study, regular workouts can reduce risk by as much as 73%.
See Your Eye Doctor
There are many factors involved in determining your risk. It is best to talk to a professional who can assess your eye condition and lifestyle and make recommendations. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey ophthalmologists today to schedule an appointment.