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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staff- Get regular eye care. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect glaucoma in its early stages before irreversible damage occurs. As a general rule, have comprehensive eye exams every three to five years after age 40 and every year after age 60. You may need more frequent screening if you have glaucoma risk factors. Ask your doctor to recommend the right screening schedule for you.
- Treat elevated eye pressure. Glaucoma eyedrops can significantly reduce the risk that elevated eye pressure will progress to glaucoma. To be effective, these drops must be taken regularly even if you have no symptoms.
- Control your weight and blood pressure. Studies have shown that insulin resistance — which may result from hypertension and obesity — is linked to elevated intraocular pressure.
- Wear eye protection. Serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma. Wear eye protection when you use power tools or play high-speed racket sports on enclosed courts, or otherwise risk being hit in the eye.
References
- Ramulu P, et al. Glaucoma. In: Yanoff M, et al, eds. Ophthalmology. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201760123-9/0/1869/522.html?tocnode=56525066&fromURL=522.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04332-8..X0001-7--p10_4129. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Traynor MP, et al. Glaucoma. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. 61st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00003-X--sc0030&uniq=201760123&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Primary angle-closure. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201760123-10/1000369016/2088/265.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0065_5445. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Glaucoma, Chronic Open-Angle. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201760123-10/1000369016/2088/264.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0060_5420. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Facts about glaucoma. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Care of the patient with open angle glaucoma. St. Louis, MO: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-9.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Are you at risk for glaucoma? Glaucoma Research Foundation. http://www.glaucoma.org/learn/are_you_at_risk.php. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Jacobs DS. Primary open-angle glaucoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Alternative medicine. Glaucoma Research Foundation. http://www.glaucoma.org/treating/alternative_med.php. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Eye drops delay onset of glaucoma in people at higher risk. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/pressreleases/061302.asp. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Glaucoma support group. Glaucoma Service Foundation to Prevent Blindness. http://www.willsglaucoma.org/support.htm. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Common glaucoma treatments. National Glaucoma Research. http://www.ahaf.org/glaucoma/treatment/common/. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 30, 2010.
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