Your choice of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors can either support or hinder your glaucoma treatment. Since glaucoma is a condition that you need to manage for the rest of your life in order to avoid total vision loss, it’s important to make informed choices and cultivate healthy habits. Here, experts share some foods that are good for eye health, along with other lifestyle tips to help protect your eyes and preserve your vision.*

Nutrients that nourish your eyes

Nutrients with protective qualities for eye health and vision include:

• Vitamins A (particularly retinol), C, and E
• Zinc
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin

All of these nutrients contain high levels of antioxidants, substances that fight off free radicals that cause oxidative damage to cells, proteins, and DNA.

Beneficial foods by color

Many experts recommend eating a variety of foods that create a “colorful plate” for overall good health. Different colored foods are rich in different nutrients, so eating a rainbow of foods helps ensure that you are receiving a balance of vitamins, minerals, and other building blocks of optimal health. Here are some eye-healthy foods according to color.

Green foods

• Spinach and other dark, leafy greens
• Green beans, peas, and peppers
• Cucumbers and celery
• Avocados

Yellow, orange, and red foods

• Apricots, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, and papaya
• Carrots, sweet potatoes, and corn
• Cheese
• Egg yolks
• Pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and summer squash
• Tomatoes

Other foods 

• Berries, flaxseed, and nuts
• Cauliflower
• Dark chocolate
• Green tea
• Milk
• Seafood and lean meats

Foods to limit or avoid 

If you have glaucoma, it’s good to consume certain foods in moderation, such as salt and coffee (and other caffeinated products), or avoid them altogether. Experts also suggest sipping beverages, and not drinking large amounts of liquid in a short period of time. 

Lifestyle habits to support eye health

Other steps that you can take to further reduce your risk of glaucoma progression and support your vision and eye health include: 

• Adhering to your medication schedule 
• Keeping up with your routine eye exams
• Engaging in regular physical activity or exercise
• Elevating your head at a 20-degree angle with a wedge (not pillows) when sleeping
• Managing your stress constructively through healthy means
• Managing underlying medical issues such as high blood pressure

Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes alone won’t prevent the development or progression of glaucoma, but in conjunction with your formal treatment they will support your overall health, which impacts your eye health, and help you retain your remaining vision. 

*Glaucoma Associates of Texas. (2024). Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Glaucoma. https://www.glaucomaassociates.com/glaucoma/nutrition-lifestyle-glaucoma/ 

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