Lifestyle and glaucoma

Patients with a family history of glaucoma are glad to be advised whether there is anything they can do to avoid glaucoma and those with glaucoma or ocular hypertension wish to know whether there is anything they can do to prevent deterioration.

In recent times a great deal has been learned about the effects of lifestyle on the development of cataract and of age-related macular degeneration (AMD),1 but there has been a paucity of information concerning lifestyle and glaucoma. It would seem unlikely that the tendency to develop primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is uninfluenced by external factors, but little has been identified. However, interesting information is now coming to light.