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Brain Pressure, Eye Pressure and Glaucoma Risk

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A study reveals a new feedback pathway between the brain and eye that regulates inner eye pressure, and the research may shed new light on glaucoma treatment.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, and it develops from stress on the optic nerve. Researchers have wondered whether intracranial pressure (brain pressure) may influence glaucoma development because optic nerve stress does not fully depend on eye pressure as much as it does the variance in pressure between the brain and the eye.

The new study from the University of South Florida shows concrete evidence that intracranial pressure and eye pressure are linked. The research team concluded this by “altering intracranial pressure in animal models and noting changes in the fluid drainage properties of the eye that could be blocked by chemicals that eliminate feedback signals from the brain.”

Now, the researchers are attempting to verify the exact location of the brain cells that are transmitting messages to the eye, as well as to pinpoint the nerve fibers in the eye that the brain mediates.

What Factors Influence Glaucoma Risk?

Glaucoma is a complex disease that can be difficult to diagnose. Recent studies link glaucoma to blood pressure and even poor sleep, yet experts are still searching for more answers on what causes the disease. The research team hopes this study will assist physicians in having a clearer understanding of glaucoma and effective glaucoma treatments.

Chris Passaglia, Ph.D., Professor of Medical Engineering at the University of Florida, feels optimistic about the findings of the study. “The drainage control system may service to protect the optic nerve from swings in eye or brain pressure,” he said. “Its discovery offers a new target for glaucoma treatment, wherein the modulatory mechanisms of the system might be exploited to help lower eye pressure and impede disease progression in glaucoma patients.”

What is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Do you know your glaucoma risk? Call your ophthalmologist to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for the whole family. A comprehensive eye exam provides you with an extensive evaluation of your vision and your eye health. An ophthalmologist will make sure your prescription is current and test you for degenerative eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

If you are not under the care of a board-certified eye doctor, Enter your zip code above the orange box. Clear vision is just a phone call away.

Highly Polluted Areas Increase Glaucoma Incidence

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Living in a polluted area could increase your risk of developing glaucoma, one of the most common causes of vision loss.

Few studies have analyzed the relationship between pollution and glaucoma. However, since ninety percent of the Earth’s population breathes air that is over the World Health Organization’s limits for air pollution, it is certainly worth researching the connection between air quality and eye health.

Particulate Matter and Air Quality

Air quality is measured by amounts of particulate matter, the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air molecules. Particulate matter includes both organic and inorganic particles and can include pollen, dust, smoke and soot.

Exposure to particulate matter is one of the strongest predictors of mortality due to air pollutants. Poor air quality increases the risk for lung and heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Air Pollution and Glaucoma

According to a recent study from the University College London, people who live in areas in the United Kingdom with higher amounts of pollution were more likely to report they had glaucoma than people who live in less polluted areas.

The study found that people who lived in the most-polluted 25 percent of areas were at least six percent more likely to say they had glaucoma than people in the least polluted areas. They were also more likely to have a thinner retina, which is one of the hallmarks of glaucoma progression. Pollution did not seem to affect inner eye pressure, which researchers usually associate with glaucoma progression. The team concluded air pollution must influence glaucoma development through a different route.

Paul Foster, Ph.D., is the study’s lead author and a professor of ophthalmic epidemiology and glaucoma studies at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital. “We have found yet another reason why air pollution should be addressed as a public health priority, and that avoiding sources of air pollution could be worthwhile for eye health alongside other health concerns,” Dr. Foster recently told Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. “While we cannot confirm yet that the association is causal, we hope to continue our research to determine whether air pollution does indeed cause glaucoma, and to find out if there are any avoidance strategies that could help people reduce their exposure to air pollution to mitigate the health risks.”

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Glaucoma is the leading cause of vision loss among adults, second only to cataracts. Many glaucoma risk factors cannot be controlled, such as genetics and age. However, healthy lifestyle habits, exercise and proper nutrition can help reduce glaucoma risk.

Perhaps this new information will prompt legislators to create policy changes regarding air quality. In the meantime, you can help protect your own vision health by keeping up with your yearly comprehensive eye exams.

Call your ophthalmologist today to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. Annual eye exams can preserve your eye health by detecting eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts in early stages when they are more treatable.

Blood Pressure Linked to Glaucoma Risk

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Although glaucoma is a complicated disease, new evidence suggests a range of blood pressure that is neither too high nor too low is best to help prevent it.

A 2018 study suggests a “Goldilocks scenario” may exist for each of us when it comes to blood pressure and glaucoma. If you recall from the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Goldilocks is rather finicky, preferring her chair, porridge and bed to be “just right.”

For years, scientists have known about the connection between blood pressure and glaucoma. Elevated blood pressure does not cause glaucoma, but it is a known risk factor, especially if it goes untreated. Low blood pressure can also be concerning when it comes to glaucoma. The goal is to achieve a Goldilocks scenario in which blood pressure is “just right.”

According to a 2018 study, the prevalence of glaucoma was lowest in patients who had a systolic blood pressure reading of 111 mmHg and 120 mmHg and a diastolic reading of 81 mmHg and 90 mmHg.

How Can Low Blood Pressure Increase Glaucoma Risk?

It would seem that in regard to blood pressure, only high blood pressure would increase the risk of glaucoma. This makes sense because glaucoma is characterized by elevated pressure inside the eye. Hypertensive blood vessels should increase eye pressure, correct? In truth, it is not that simple.

Low blood pressure can also increase the risk of glaucoma. It can cause a condition known as decreased ocular perfusion pressure. Ocular perfusion pressure is the difference between blood pressure and eye pressure. If blood pressure is low but the intraocular pressure is high, blood cannot get into the eye to supply it with nutrients and oxygen.

In a normally functioning body, circulation to the eyes is maintained, even when blood pressure, body position or the environment fluctuates. However, some people have systems that cannot adapt as well to changes, and the eyes may not receive proper nourishment (Glaucoma Research Foundation).

What is Your Ideal Blood Pressure Range?

The researchers in the 2018 study discovered the relationship between glaucoma and blood pressure followed a U-shaped curve. This means glaucoma incidence was highest in patients who had elevated blood pressure or low blood pressure.

Controlling blood pressure is essential for all of us, regardless of whether we are on blood pressure medication. High blood pressure can lead to arteriosclerosis, which can damage the optic nerve. However, low blood pressure can increase your risk of open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma. You and your primary care physician and ophthalmologist can work together to find the blood pressure range that is “just right” for you.

If you are on blood pressure medication, your doctor can monitor your readings to ensure the medication is not creating too much of a gap between your blood pressure and eye pressure. It may be that you could take less medication and still stay within a safe blood pressure range.

Make an Appointment for a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Call today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor to discuss how your blood pressure relates to your eye health. If you are not under the care of a board-certified physician,you can access a list of doctors in your area and find an ophthalmologist in your area.

To Drink or Not to Drink: Moderation is Good Mantra for Glaucoma

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We all have our little vices when it comes to our diet. It could come in the form of caffeinated beverages, sugary desserts, salty snacks, or an occasional drink. These comfort foods and drinks can be challenging to regulate, and we can often find that a rare treat can become a bad habit if we are not careful.

If you have glaucoma, you should be especially careful with what you are putting into your body so that you are not raising the pressure inside your eye, or intraocular pressure (IOP). Because there is no cure for glaucoma, the only way of slowing the progression of the disease is by lowering your IOP. There are many factors that can potentially affect eye pressure, such as:

  • Maintaining normal blood pressure
  • Exercising regularly
  • Taking in antioxidants
  • Keeping a healthy body mass index (BMI)
  • Not smoking
  • Avoiding caffeine
  • Moderate alcohol use

Many adults enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail, but this risk factor requires special attention. Alcohol consumption could affect your eye pressure in two ways. Alcohol has been known to lower IOP initially (Source: Modern Medicine). However, over the long-term, alcohol actually increases IOP. It sounds confusing, doesn’t it?

It is important to remember that what you drink and how you drink any liquid is important when it comes to your eye pressure. In fact, drinking two standard bottles of water very quickly can actually raise your eye pressure by one-third, so it is essential to intake liquid slowly to maintain safe eye pressure (Source: Glaucoma NZ).

We need to look no further than the ancient philosopher Aristotle, who encouraged “Moderation in all things.” Glaucoma requires special attention and care, but the answer can usually be found in moderation. An occasional glass of wine or a celebratory cocktail will probably not affect your glaucoma, but it is important to have self-control and use good common sense when it comes to diet and lifestyle habits.