Unfortunately, we don't know of any pair of glasses that can protect your eye health from further glaucoma damage. However, there are glasses that could help you deal with the effects of glaucoma on your daily life.
Researchers are developing innovative technology to create glaucoma glasses that may help reduce eye pressure without drugs or surgery and/or compensate to some degree for peripheral vision loss from glaucoma. (Some of these devices are not yet available.)
Use of glasses can provide protection for patients who may only have one functional eye. In these cases, polycarbonate lenses can offer more protection. Many patients with glaucoma suffer from reduced contrast and difficulty adjusting between light and dark settings.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, people experiencing the condition can enjoy a normal, active, and fulfilling life by keeping the condition under control to slow or prevent vision loss.
But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if you catch the disease in its early stages. Glaucoma is treated by lowering intraocular pressure. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of approaches.
Absolutely. The aim of treating patients with glaucoma is for them to be able to maintain their quality of life and live as normally as possible. Patients with glaucoma have a normal life expectancy and, with treatment, can carry out activities as they did before diagnosis.
If you are in a high-risk group, get a comprehensive dilated eye exam to catch glaucoma early and start treatment. Prescription eye drops can stop glaucoma from progressing. Your eye care specialist will recommend how often to return for follow-up exams.
In addition to avoiding caffeine, saturated fats, trans fatty acids, and salt in your daily diet, glaucoma patients should also consider avoiding any foods they're allergic to. Some of these lifestyle choices might be difficult to make, but they're more than worth it when maintaining eye health.
If your eyes become tired with prolonged concentration, you can rest them periodically - but please don't worry that you have done them any harm. Similarly, longer distance viewing such as driving, watching TV or going to the movies does not harm your eyes.
Untreated glaucoma can lead to the faster development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Treatments can slow down additional vision loss, but they can't restore lost vision. It's important to see an eye doctor right away if you have eye pain, severe headaches or vision problems.
High trans fats have been proven to cause damage to the optic nerve. Time to cut out fried foods, baked goods and any product with an ingredient list that includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated foods that include red meat, beef, lard, shortening and oils can also worsen glaucoma.
Similarly, TheraSpecs outdoor lenses can be a great option for people with glaucoma who find that wearing normal sunglasses outside do not provide enough protection against bright light and glare. Plus, TheraSpecs indoor and outdoor glasses are 100% UVA/UVB blocking.
Who Treats Glaucoma? Most optometrists and glaucoma specialists can diagnose and treat glaucoma. Diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma is a key part of training for optometrists. Part of every comprehensive eye exam includes measurement of eye pressure and checks the optic nerve.
Untreated glaucoma can progress to blindness within several years. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a less common form that can impair vision much more quickly. Early diagnosis and treatment usually results in excellent success and saved vision.
Conclusions: Vision loss in patients with glaucoma is not as simple as the traditional view of loss of peripheral vision. Needing more light and blurry vision were the most common symptoms reported by patients with glaucoma.
But for most people, glaucoma does not have to lead to blindness. That is because glaucoma is controllable with modern treatment, and there are many choices to help keep glaucoma from further damaging your eyes. Treatment cannot reverse damage that has already occurred, but it can prevent further vision loss.
The Glaucoma Research Federation, a US based charity feels that the use of computer screens is not directly linked to glaucoma. Excessive computer use may put you at risk for other eye complaints such as dry-eyes. The point that they do make however is that with older CRT monitors there could be excessive glare.
Although some eyes seem to be resistant to all modalities of treatment, for the vast majority of patients with glaucoma, adherence to treatment and appropriate monitoring will keep them from becoming blind by any definition. Article by Robert L. Stamper, MD. First posted on May 3, 2021; Last reviewed on March 23, 2022.
Research has shown that regular exercise may lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. It does not have to be rigorous exercise to have a beneficial effect, but rather a brisk walk every other day for 20 to 30 minutes.
From a glaucoma viewpoint, there are no dietary or drinking habits that increase the risk of the disease. Drinking a bottle of water very quickly does raise eye pressure, so we recommend you drink slowly to avoid this. Eating a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is a good health habit.
Fluid buildup, eye trauma, medications, and other eye conditions are all potential causes of an increase in eye pressure. Typically, one of the keys to reducing it is treating the root cause. It's important to remember that higher-than-normal pressure doesn't guarantee severe problems.
By the time you notice vision loss from glaucoma, it's too late. The lost vision cannot be restored, and it's very likely you may experience additional vision loss, even after glaucoma treatment begins.
Summary. Living with glaucoma does not necessarily mean giving up driving. Some drivers with glaucoma learn to scan the visual environment such that they are still safe drivers. However, it is important to have your driving assessed if you or your family and friends are concerned about your driving.
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to visual field loss. One of the major risk factors is eye pressure. An abnormality in the eye's drainage system can cause fluid to build up, leading to excessive pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.