Is there any way to prevent glaucoma?

Though it’s unclear whether glaucoma can be prevented, you might be able to reduce your risk for the disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Current research is suggesting that optic nerve nutrition can be enhanced with certain drugs and also with certain nutritional agents, like gingko biloba.

“our suggestion would be to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, eat a healthy diet, keep your weight down, exercise, take nutritional products and be sure to see your optometrist on a regular basis.”

Factors that may increase your risk are:

  • Being over 50
  • Being over 40 and African-American
  • Having a family history of glaucoma
  • Having a history of serious eye injury
  • Taking steroid medications
  • Having diabetes
  • Being nearsighted
  • Having high blood pressure

People with these risk factors should have their eyes examined on a regular basis to look for the disease.


Worcestershire Glaucoma Support Group