Maintaining a healthy diet not only helps to keep some illnesses at bay but can also help manage existing conditions. Medical science proves that certain foods have health benefits that help manage and even minimize symptoms caused by certain medical conditions, namely glaucoma.
Before we get into the best foods to eat when you have glaucoma, let’s have a look at what glaucoma is and what causes it.
What Is Glaucoma & What Causes It?
Glaucoma is known to develop when there is intense fluid pressure within the eye. The increased pressure then causes gradual loss of vision within the affected eye.
The general rule of thumb for good eye health is to schedule regular visits to your optometrist for eye tests and eye screenings, better enabling you to detect problems early.
As of now, there is no cure for glaucoma. It is advisable to follow a healthy diet and eat the proper foods to help manage the symptoms of glaucoma.
The Best Foods To Eat When You Have Glaucoma
- Fresh fruit, such as peaches and oranges, are good to eat for people with glaucoma. Oranges and peaches are known to reduce the risk of developing glaucoma by 82% and 70%, respectively.
- Seafood is another great food to eat to help improve ocular blood flow. Seafood is high in fatty acids and Omega-3, something that glaucoma patients have less of than non-glaucoma patients. Tuna, salmon, and sardines are great natural sources of Omega-3 and essential fatty acids.
- Leafy green vegetables, anyone? Incorporating some leafy greens into your diet can do the world of good in managing glaucoma for those affected by it and lowering the risk for those who are not. Nitrates in leafy greens are thought to help boost healthy blood circulation and can help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma by up to 20% and 30%.
- Eggplant (Known as Brinjal In SA) is known for its effectiveness for lowering intraocular pressure by up to 25% when consumed in small amounts daily.
- Blackcurrants are known to be naturally high in anthocyanins that help to slow down visual degeneration. They are also helpful in normalizing the flow of blood within the eyes.
These are only five of the best foods to eat when you have glaucoma to help reduce, minimize or manage symptoms and effects. There are many more tasty foods that can be found online to manage and minimize glaucoma symptoms.
To improve vision, start by taking good care of your eye health with frequent visits to registered and trusted eye specialists that cater to your specific eye healthcare needs.
