Are you one of the tens of millions worldwide diagnosed with glaucoma? If so, it would help if you knew the steps to take to prevent or slow its progression. In some people, this condition can lead to irreversible vision loss. Fortunately, medication and lifestyle changes can reduce the impact. 

What Is Glaucoma?

The first step toward preventing glaucoma from worsening is to perform your due diligence about this eye condition. Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve, usually due to increased eye pressure. The optic nerve transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain for interpretation. Left untreated, any damage to this nerve can lead to irreversible vision loss and blindness. 

Symptoms of Glaucoma

The tricky thing about glaucoma and preventing its progression is that it is difficult to detect it on your own. That is due to the lack of symptoms during its early stages. The initial appearance, severity, and range of glaucoma differ between the different types. Nevertheless, the condition is usually in the late stages once symptoms begin showing. 

The main sign of this sneak thief of vision is usually loss of peripheral vision. Other symptoms to watch out for include:

 

• Eye pain
   

• Seeing halos around lights
   

• An eye that looks lazy
   

• Redness in the eye
   

• Vision loss

Preventing Glaucoma From Worsening

Discovering this eye condition in its advanced stages when you start noticing symptoms might mean it is too late. Glaucoma-related vision loss and blindness are permanent. Scheduling regular comprehensive eye is essential. When it is caught early, it is possible to slow or halt the effects of glaucoma. Some of the steps you can take to minimize or prevent the risk of vision loss include:

Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

The best step you can take is to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams. During your examinations, your eye doctor will check for early signs of glaucoma. Your doctor will suggest ways to prevent the condition from developing or worsening based on the results.

Adhere to Your Medications

If you have glaucoma, you may need to use eye drops throughout the day to manage your condition. You must adhere to your medications and maintain a strict schedule to prevent your problem from worsening. Set alerts or alarms on your mobile devices for reminders and inform your doctor if you experience any issues with your dosages or medications.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Exercise can have a positive effect on your eye health. So, regular exercise can help slow or prevent glaucoma progression. However, you should consult your eye doctor about your workout routine. Some activities can increase the risk factor for worsening this eye condition.

Eat Well to See Well

Eat lots of colored fruits and leafy green veggies every day. Such foods contain minerals and vitamins that protect your eyes and body. Studies suggest that eye-healthy foods are more effective at preventing glaucoma than vitamins.

Protect Your Eyes From Injury

An eye injury can cause your glaucoma to worsen. So, always wear protective eyewear while working in your yard or playing sports. It would be best if you also protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing the right sunglasses and a hat outdoors.

People of all ages can suffer from glaucoma, but it is more prevalent in older individuals. Unfortunately, many people with an early stage of glaucoma often do not experience any symptoms or warnings. That can make it difficult to detect or treat it early. So, schedule regular exams with your eye doctor to protect your eyesight and eye health.

For more on glaucoma, visit Raleigh Eye Center at our Raleigh, Durham, Reidsville, Henderson, North Carolina, or South Hill, Virginia offices. Call (919) 876-2427, (919) 899-2472 or (252) 492-8021 to schedule an appointment today.