Learning how to prevent glaucoma is essential since it’s one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. You can begin by doing simple changes in your habits, particularly nutrition.

How To Prevent Glaucoma | 11 Easy and Natural Treatment Tips

1. Consume Food Rich in Carotenoids

One of the first steps how to prevent glaucoma is to improve nutrition. Perhaps you have been told time and time again how carrots and squash are great for maintaining eye health. This is due to the high levels of carotenoids present. This xanthophyll contains antioxidant properties and high amounts of vitamin A.

Foods that contain carotenoids are often either yellow or orange in color because of the pigment it contains. Examples of foods rich in carotenoids are the following:

• Squash
• Carrots
• Tomato
• Sweet Potato
• Apricots
• Pumpkin
• Kale

2. Add More Fruits and Vegetables

It is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. The juices of these contain many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and are all necessary for the maintenance of eye health.

3. Make a Smoothie Out of Berries

Among the fruits good for your eyesight, cherries and blueberries are special. They contain the compound anthocyanidin. Studies have shown how this flavonoid improves eye health along with anthocyanin.

For example, more than 130 patients with normal-tension glaucoma received two bilberry capsules daily. The eye tests revealed they had a better visual function. In another test, 19 patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma took 50 mg of anthocyanin every day for 24 months. They experienced an increase in blood flow without major changes in the intraocular pressure.

4. Dine on Fresh Fish

Another way how to prevent glaucoma is to eat fish. This seafood, especially if freshly caught such as salmon, is high in essential fatty acids. These are DHA and EPA. Studies have revealed how it can improve the drainage of the eyes. It then lowers the intraocular pressure, which leads to the nerve damage in the first place. Besides glaucoma, these amino acids can be helpful in treating or managing macular degeneration.

It also contains a compound called astaxanthin. A powerful antioxidant, it can reduce the risk of cell death in the eyes. It can also help regulate diabetes. It is important since there’s a strong correlation between this condition and glaucoma.

5. Consider Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a single-cell fungus that helps with the fermentation of beer and bread. People also use this as a nutritional supplement for chromium. The yeast also contains magnesium, which helps with peripheral conditions that contribute to glaucoma.

Not everyone, though, is a fan of brewer’s yeast. As an alternative, you can add to your diet these types of magnesium-rich food:

• Fish
• Dairy
• Meat
• Brown Rice
• Cantaloupe

6. Avoid the Foods You Are Allergic To

Anyone with food allergies must take special care to avoid the offending foods. Triggering allergies increases eye pressure.

7. Limit Caffeine

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Are you a fan of coffee? One of the ways how to prevent glaucoma may be to avoid it. The stimulants such as caffeine can open up your blood vessels and increase the blood flow to your eyes. The increased blood flow may cause the buildup of intraocular pressure.

8. Stay Away from Sugar

The relationship between sugar and glaucoma is complex, to say the least. It still needs more study. Many types of research, though, have highlighted how sugar and glaucoma are interrelated. It could be because high in sugar can lead to diabetes. This metabolic condition can result in neuropathy (nerve damage).

9. Do Not Gorge on Alcohol

Alcohol may be a great addition to a party, but it also causes a lot of stress on your liver. Unfortunately, liver toxicity problems can also cause a lot of metabolic issues.

10. Use Essential Oils

There are certain essential oils that can help prevent the occurrence of glaucoma. Try adding the following to your routine:

• Frankincense oil (can improve overall eye health as well as the quality of vision)
• Helichrysum oil (can support nerve tissue)
• Cypress oil (can enhance blood circulation and thus relieve pressure on the eyes)

You can apply these through dabbing 3 drops of the oils twice daily on your cheeks or around your eyes. As a precaution, do not get these oils directly into your eyes.

11. Learn How to Prevent Glaucoma Naturally

Here is a simple protocol on how to prevent glaucoma naturally you can try:

• Bilberry (160 mg twice a day) — contains flavonoids that can improve eye function and blood flow
• Astaxanthin (2 mg once a day) — has carotenoid that can help reduce retinal damage
• Fish Oil (1 g once a day) — can help lower intraocular pressure
• CoQ10 (300 mg per day) — can help treat the damage that occurs due to free radicals
• Magnesium (250 mg twice a day) — can relax the walls of blood vessels and lower pressure

Dr. Kondrot, a leading alternative Ophthalmologist,  states glaucoma is a disease of the autonomic nervous system and ways to reduce stress like meditation, deep breathing, exercise can help.

Check out Dr. Kondrot’s webinar: Big Lie in Glaucoma treatment!

Below is an infographic that helps you remember the simple and natural steps to improve eye health and keep Glaucoma at bay:

Learning how to prevent glaucoma is essential especially if you are already old or have a history of diabetes. These simple tips are easy to add to your routine, but remember, consistency is key. Do not forget to visit your eye doctor regularly.

Do you have some tips how to prevent glaucoma? Share them with us in the comments section below!

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