Eating healthy and following a well-balanced diet is generally important for your overall health. But how can your diet prevent glaucoma from worsening? Research findings on specific vitamins and nutrients—especially a type of antioxidants, called carotenoids—may be beneficial in preventing disease progression in people with glaucoma.*

In what ways can I prevent illness and stay healthy? 

While not directly associated with glaucoma or eye health, following these four tips will help to maintain good health: 

1. Eat a well-balanced diet, filled with fruits and vegetables.
2. Engage in moderate exercise.
3. Get an appropriate amount of rest.
4. Take a daily multivitamin. 

What may cause my glaucoma to get worse?

Dr. Amish Doshi, a glaucoma specialist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and an editor for the Glaucoma Research Foundation, states that oxidative stress is associated with damage to the optic nerve and may lead to the worsening of glaucoma. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals in the body. 

Pollution, UV exposure, cigarette smoke, and other factors cause free radicals to form, which damage your body’s cells. Antioxidants work by neutralizing the free radicals in our body and preventing oxidative stress. By consuming antioxidants, you are preventing oxidative stress, which may, in turn, prevent glaucoma from getting worse. 

What foods may benefit eye health?  

Antioxidants include a range of vitamins and minerals and are mainly found in plant-based foods.** Each antioxidant serves a different function, so it’s important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to get the maximum amount of benefit. 

Well-known foods that are a good source of antioxidants include:

• eggplants
• legumes, such as black beans, kidney beans, and lentils
• broccoli
• spinach
• green and black teas
• apples
• red grapes
• blueberries
• pomegranates
• goji berries
• dark chocolate

A specific type of antioxidants, called carotenoids, is known to be beneficial to eye health and could help prevent glaucoma disease progression. There are nearly 600 types of carotenoids, but only a small amount of them are consumed in the typical Western diet. 

Here is a list of common carotenoids and foods that contain a high level of them: 

• Vitamin A: Dairy, eggs, and liver
• Beta-Carotene: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, like carrots, peas, spinach, and mangoes
• Lycopene: Pink and red fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and watermelon
• Lutein: Corn, papaya, oranges, and green, leafy vegetables
• Zeaxanthin: Paprika, corn, egg yolks, and green, leafy vegetables
• Beta-cryptoxanthin: Tropical fruits, like oranges, papaya, peaches, and tangerines 

*Doshi, A. (2018, July 23). What Vitamins and Nutrients Will Help Prevent My Glaucoma from Worsening? Glaucoma Research Foundation. https://www.glaucoma.org/treatment/what-vitamins-and-nutrients-will-help-prevent-my-glaucoma-from-worsening.php

 **Ware, M. (2018, May 29). How can antioxidants benefit our health? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301506