How Much Is Too Much Caffeine for Glaucoma Patients?

Drinking coffee is an essential part of many people’s morning routines. Unfortunately, caffeine can aggravate certain conditions, such a glaucoma. If you have the condition, there’s no need to worry, however—you don’t necessarily have to quit cold turkey. You just have to be more mindful of your caffeine intake.

Caffeine and Eye Pressure

Caffeine can increase eye pressure, which is problematic for patients with glaucoma because it’s the primary factor that causes the disease to develop. Glaucoma develops when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye and increases pressure on the optic nerve. Studies have shown that after an hour of drinking a cup of non-decaf coffee, the intraocular pressure in a person’s eye increased by 1 mmHg. On the bright side, this increase isn’t clinically significant, meaning you can still enjoy a nice, hot cup of coffee without having to worry about anything.

Coffee and Tea: Impact on Eye Pressure and Glaucoma Risk

A recent study explored whether drinking coffee and tea affects the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and how it influences eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP). Over several years, researchers followed 9,731 participants who were free of glaucoma at the start, regularly monitoring their eye health and tracking coffee and tea consumption.

Key Findings

• No Increased Glaucoma Risk: Drinking coffee or tea was not associated with a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
• Lower Eye Pressure: Both coffee and tea were linked to slightly lower eye pressure. The greatest reductions in eye pressure were seen in participants who drank four or more cups of coffee or three or more cups of tea per day.

What This Means for You

This study suggests that, while drinking coffee and tea does not increase glaucoma risk, it may help lower eye pressure, a key factor in eye health. These findings add to previous research showing that moderate coffee and tea intake could be beneficial for eye pressure management without increasing glaucoma risk.

How Much Is Too Much? Caffeine and Glaucoma Risk

Impact of Coffee on Intraocular Pressure
Drinking coffee, even in large amounts, generally does not increase intraocular pressure or glaucoma risk. However, there is one key exception: individuals with a strong genetic predisposition to higher intraocular pressure. For these individuals, caffeine consumption may slightly raise intraocular pressure, increasing glaucoma risk.

Recommendation Based on Family History
For those without a family history of glaucoma, coffee intake does not pose a significant risk. However, if there is a family history of glaucoma it may be a good idea to limit coffee intake to about two cups per day to potentially lower the risk.

Ongoing Studies

Keep in mind that medical researchers are still studying the link between caffeine and glaucoma, so new evidence that can shed a light on this link may be produced in the future. The only way to know your risk of developing glaucoma—and make the necessary changes to reduce it—is to regularly see one of your local eye doctors

Looking for an eye clinic in Orange County?

Insight Vision Center offers a wide range of advanced eye care services, from comprehensive medical exams to specialized contact lenses such as the HERO lens and the LASIK lens. To set up an appointment with one of our eye doctors, call us at (714) 486-3315 or leave us a message here.

Links For More Information

Five Key Habits for Eye Health

1. Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams: The number one way to prevent permanent vision loss is to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams with a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist.
2. Sun Protection: Prolonged sun exposure, especially from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and sand, can lead to conditions such as exfoliation glaucoma and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses is particularly important for outdoor occupations.
3. Diet Rich in Leafy Greens: High in nitrates, leafy greens have been associated with a reduced risk of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
4. Blood Sugar Management: Poor blood sugar control increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can help prevent this complication.
5. Avoiding Smoking: Smoking is linked to several eye diseases, including macular degeneration and thyroid eye disease. Quitting smoking can significantly benefit eye health.

Located in Costa Mesa, Insight Vision Center Optometry serves patients from Irvine, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, and the surrounding Orange County area for advanced medical and specialty eye care.