A study has reported that drinking five or more cups of caffeinated coffee can increase a person's risk of glaucoma, in addition to the usual side effects of drinking too much of the brew.
Caffeine has been linked to an increase in the production of aqueous humor, a type of eye fluid. When eye fluid volume rises, so does the pressure inside the eyes. This is why some experts recommend that glaucoma patients or those at risk of developing this condition should stop consuming caffeinated beverages.
Studies on the pathophysiological effects of caffeine in the eye are still very limited. However, coffee drinking has been suggested to cause a transient elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. The magnitude of such pressure elevation ranges from 1 to 2 mmHg, an hour after drinking coffee.
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.
Drinking decaffeinated tea, regular or decaf coffee, iced tea and sodas appeared to make no difference to glaucoma risk. The British Journal of Ophthalmology published the findings.
No “statistically significant” connection was established between consumption of the caffeinated versus decaffeinated beverages and glaucoma risk. However, researchers did find that those who drank one daily cup of caffeinated hot tea were 74 percent less likely to have glaucoma.
Other findings, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, show that drinking caffeinated tea (like green or black) reduces glaucoma risk by up to 74%. The pressure-reducing benefits could come from tea's antioxidants, researchers theorize.
Glaucoma is treated by lowering intraocular pressure. Treatment options include prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser treatment, surgery or a combination of approaches.
Many people assume that 'using your eyes' can worsen your glaucoma. Reading, watching TV or using your phone or computer does not have any impact on your glaucoma.
Maintaining a healthy weight, controlling your blood pressure, being physically active, and avoiding smoking will help you avoid vision loss from glaucoma. These healthy behaviors will also help prevent type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Dark Chocolate
Even if your Dove bar doesn't sharpen your vision, the flavonoids found in dark chocolate may help improve vision in people with glaucoma as well as reduce the risk for macular degeneration.
Drinking a quart of water in less than five minutes has been shown to increase intraocular pressure; instead, advise your patients to drink small amounts of water often to stay hydrated.
Caffeine. Some studies suggest caffeine increases intraocular pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. You'll want to limit the amount of (or replace) coffee, green tea, dark chocolate, soda, and energy drinks in your diet.
Bananas, avocados, pumpkin seeds, and black beans are great sources to help you meet the recommended daily allowance of 300-400 magnesium. Though more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that dietary magnesium may benefit people with glaucoma by improving blood flow to the eye.
Stress and Glaucoma
Stress does not cause the most common form of glaucoma, known as primary open-angle or wide-angle glaucoma. But feeling overwhelmed or stressed on a regular basis can discourage people from taking their medicines or going to follow-up appointments, says Dr. McKinney.
Peaches and Oranges
According to a NIH study, women consuming fresh peaches and oranges in excess of two servings per week reduced their odds of developing glaucoma. Orange consumption led to 82% reduction in glaucoma development, while peaches served to cut this risk by 70% percent.
“Steroids are the main medicine that can raise eye pressure for patients with open-angle glaucoma,” Dr. McKinney says. Taking steroid drugs in any form – orally, topically, through an inhaler or IV – can worsen glaucoma for these patients. Steroids applied closest to the eye carry the highest risk.
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.
Adopt a healthy diet for glaucoma
In particular, fruits and vegetables that are higher in vitamins A and C, as well as carotenoids, appear to be helpful. For this reason, some of the most important vegetables to incorporate into your diet include leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, kale and Brussels sprouts.
Particularly, Mg has been shown to improve the ocular blood flow in patients with glaucoma and may protect the retinal ganglion cell against oxidative stress and apoptosis [2, 3, 19].
Bananas, avocados, pumpkin seeds, and black beans are great sources to help you meet the recommended daily allowance of 300-400 magnesium. Though more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that dietary magnesium may benefit people with glaucoma by improving blood flow to the eye.
Aerobic exercise is a great option for staying healthy while managing your glaucoma. This type of exercise includes activities like walking, swimming, biking, or working out with stationary machines like treadmills. These exercise types can increase blood circulation, which benefits the heart and brain.