How To Prevent Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that is usually associated with pressure buildup within the eye. This pressure buildup causes damage to the optic nerve of the eye. This damage worsens over time, eventually culminating in permanent blindness within a few years. Here are a few tips that will help you prevent glaucoma and preserve your eyesight.

Exercise

One way you can prevent glaucoma is by exercising on a regular basis. Not only will moderate exercise do wonders to your overall health, but it can also reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, you should strive to walk or jog at least three times a week. Even if you don't have the time or energy to walk or jog three times a week, you should at least try to exercise on a regular basis. The benefits from exercise will cease if you stop exercising, so it is important that you continue to exercise, even if you only walk or jog once a week.

Yoga also has the potential to be very effective in terms of lowering IOP. However, you should try to avoid inverted positions if you want to reduce IOP. Some examples of inverted positions are headstands and shoulderstands. Overall, the vast majority of yoga positions are at least somewhat effective in terms of reducing IOP.

Protect Your Eyes

Another way you can make yourself less susceptible to glaucoma is by doing anything in your power to protect your eyes from injury. For example, you should wear protective eye-wear each time you engage in sport activities and home improvement projects. Exercise extreme caution when utilizing chemicals and cleaners. If you have children, you should not allow them to play with certain toys, such as BB guns, pellet guns, and projectile toys. Children should also not be allowed to use laser pointers, especially green laser pointers that have short wavelengths. Finally, you should make an effort to eliminate hazards within your home that may lead to falls. If you do all of this, you will be far less prone to serious eye injuries, which can lead to traumatic glaucoma or secondary glaucoma.

People tend to become more susceptible to glaucoma as they age due to buildup of pressure within the eyes. Therefore, as you get older, it is important to take measures to prevent glaucoma, which can lead to permanent blindness if not treated. Visit an office like North Central Eye Associates Inc to learn more about how to prevent glaucoma.

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