Lifestyle modifications

NUTRITION

  • Frequency of coffee/caffeine intake may be associated with progression of glaucoma (1)
  • Some food supplements may reduce intraocular pressure up to 2.0 mmHg (1)
  • Higher dietary nitrate and green leafy vegetable intake was associated with lower risk of POAG (2)
  • Following a Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet was associated with reduced risk (OR 0.8) of developing open angle glaucoma (3)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

  • Moderate aerobic exercise may reduce intraocular pressure up to 3.0 mmHg (1)
  • Potential negative effects are associated with yoga and weight lifting exercises (1)

SLEEP

  • Sleeping with the head elevated, and at the same time avoiding the worst eye-dependent side during sleep has shown to reduce intraocular pressure and reduce visual field loss (1)

References

1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27743157/

2) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2480455

3) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-022-03003-w

Resources

EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION

Figure: Evidence pyramid

​Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD font

​Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE font

​Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in PLAIN font

​Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE font