Glaucoma is a common eye disease which can wreak havoc in a sufferer’s life. Production and drainage of fluid within the eye becomes unbalanced for various reasons, raising pressure within the eye and ultimately damaging the optic nerve. Although it’s easily detected and treated too many patients slip through the net, due to not having their eyes checked regularly. So the first piece of advice is to keep up with your eye tests, especially if you are over the age of forty, and if you have a family history of Glaucoma. But can you do anything else to reduce your risk?

Watch what you drink – We’re told to drink plenty of water for our general health, but there is some evidence to support the fact that excessive water consumption can raise the production of aqueous fluid in the eye. This will increase pressure within the eye, an early sign of Glaucoma. If you are susceptible to the disease, and your regulation of the fluid you produce is not good, then this may increase your risk. So drink plenty, but not vast amounts at any one time. Caffeine, particularly coffee can raise pressure, so drink in moderation, or switch to tea!

Stay Fit – Keeping active and regularly taking moderate exercise can reduce the internal pressure of the eye, just a modest 20 minutes of brisk walking about five times a week will help. Your good work will wear off about a month after you stop, so keep at it! Strenuous activities however, such as weight lifting, will temporarily affect pressure, so it’s best avoided if you are at risk.

Think about supplements – Selenium is a mineral which many people are aware of as a healthy supplement to eye health. Excessive amounts will actually cause Glaucoma, so eat a varied diet, including plenty of cereal, nuts, seafood and dairy products to get your Selenium, but avoid over consumption via supplements if you have other risk factors. Gingko Bilboa, used to enhance brain function and aid memory loss, also has many positive effects on the eye. So a supplement of Gingko can be beneficial

Smoking – of course this is an obvious one! It has such a disastrous affect on the body that of course it’s implicated as a risk factor with Glaucoma too – another incentive to quit!