Glaucoma refers to damage of optic nerve which occurs due to increase intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure may deteriorate the functioning of eyes and in the end-stage can cause sudden painless loss of vision. The last resort of treatment is surgery when medical treatment fails. So how can one prevent glaucoma in later stages? What should one include in one’s diet to reduce the risk of glaucoma? What lifestyle modification on requires? Whether lutein provides any benefit in glaucoma?
Can Lutein Help With Glaucoma?
Yes, indeed lutein can help with glaucoma. When it comes to any eye disease prevention is the utmost important thing which should be done from childhood. As “prevention is better than cure” such prevention steps should be taken early in life. A diet should be taken which includes all the desired nutrition so as to prevent deficiencies in the later stage of life. Vitamin A supplementation and food rich in lutein and carotene can prevent a number of diseases. Lutein is nothing, but carotenes which are abundantly present in green vegetables. This is the reason why children are advised to have lots of green vegetables.
This lutein containing vegetables includes broccoli, spinach, and collard green. Among these vegetables, maximum vegetables are not liked by many of us. These are exotic vegetables which are not usually eaten by Indian people. So, consumption should begin in the form of salads and smoothies which are eaten in less quantity.
Now the question is that what is the role of lutein in eyes? Lutein is among those major carotenoids, which are found as a color pigment in human eyes. Its main role is that it protects eyes from sunlight and thus filters damaging UV rays coming to eyes.
Lutein is a powerful antioxidant and few types of research have proved that it reduces the intraocular pressure thus provides benefit in glaucoma. 10 mg of lutein daily is recommended for better vision. Its intake is recommended in many degenerative diseases including macula. The reason for it is not yet specified, but few hypotheses are suggested.
The specific function of lutein-
- In case of glaucoma, lutein decreases the intraocular pressure.
- It protects against oxidation stress and thus reduces oxidative damage indirectly by filtering the UV rays reaching eyes.
- It provides protection against inflammation and helps in quick healing. Thus, it has a certain role in macular degeneration as it causes early recovery.
- Lutein is found beneficial in maintaining the eyes moisture. So few recommended increasing intake in case of dry eye diseases and glaucoma.
- Apart from lutein consumption of vitamin C is even recommended as it is found to be beneficial in the person of glaucoma.
Prevention at an early age is mandatory. With increasing, westernisation people have started consuming lots and lots of junk food. The importance of healthy lifestyle is not taken into consideration this is the reason why there are loads of metabolic diseases. Green vegetables and fruits can prevent a number of diseases as these contain antioxidants, which decrease free radicals in the body and helps in getting rid of unwanted side effect of free radicals which damage to cornea and epithelium cells. Thus, by scavenging the free radicals, it keeps eyes fit and healthy.
Lutein which is abundant in all green vegetables provides benefit in multiple diseases of eyes which includes macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and other degenerative diseases. Apart from providing benefit in eye disease it is also considered a good anti-ageing and slows down the senescence. Carotene-rich food should be a part of one’s diet from initial stages.
So, in conclusion, glaucoma which occurs due to increase in intraocular pressure and can damage nerve causing sudden painless loss of vision. Along with medicines taking lutein can help in reducing intraocular pressure.
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