"People who drink hot tea daily may be less likely than others to develop glaucoma symptoms U.S. researchers say.  Compared to coffee soft drink and iced tea drinkers study participants who consumed a cup or more of hot caffeinated tea daily had  percent lower odds of having glaucoma the study authors report in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.  Glaucoma can lead to blindness and it would be great if it could be prevented because there is no cure said lead author Dr. Anne Coleman of the University of California Los Angeles.  The best way to prevent it is to get your eyes checked Coleman told Reuters Health in a telephone interview. But we are also interested in lifestyle habits and what we can do to make a difference.  Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide according to the World Health Organization affecting an estimated  million people. That includes more than three million Americans only half of whom are aware they have the disease according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.  Coffee or caffeine in general have previously been linked to increased glaucoma risk although recent studies dont agree Coleman and her colleagues write.  To evaluate the relationship between specific caffeinated drinks and glaucoma Coleman and colleagues analyzed data on a sample of more than  people in the U.S. who were representative of the entire population. Participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during  answered questions about their diets and lifestyles had medical exams and blood tests and also underwent eye examinations.  About  participants were over age  had no other known eye diseases and had full eye examination results from the survey. In this group Colemans team found that just over  percent  people had glaucoma.  Almost half of participants reported drinking coffee often but less than  percent drank hot tea daily. The research team found no associations between coffee iced tea decaffeinated tea or soft drink consumption and the likelihood of having glaucoma.   Tea drinkers should keep drinking and dont need to stop because of a fear of glaucoma Coleman said. This makes sense but well see if it holds up in future studies.  Future studies should look at the habits activities and nutrition that affect lifestyle and glaucoma risks said Idan Hecht of TelAviv University in Israel who wasnt involved in the research.  In the past few years there has been a tremendous increase in interest and subsequently research into the ways lifestyle changes can influence diseases Hecht told Reuters Health by email.  Recent research indicates that vitamins C E and zinc can help vision. Other studies indicate that antioxidants in tea could have similar effects he noted.  Patients can and should be involved and take an active role in the management of their ailments Hecht said. Exercising eating healthy and trying novel ways to improve your health is something you should definitely explore and bring up with your physician.  Environmental factors could play a role in glaucoma risk as well said Dr. Ahmad Aref at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  As our population grows older we need to think about the other factors that could help particularly when it comes to the health benefits of physical activity he told Reuters Health by phone.  Overall both medical and nonmedical approaches are key to treating the disease in the future Aref added.  Its a tough disease because we dont have a way to bring vision back once its lost he said. All we can do is prevent it from getting worse and we want to help patients do that.  SOURCE bit.lyBszpc httpbit.lyBszpc British Journal of Ophthalmology online December  . Our StandardsThe Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. httpthomsonreuters.comenaboutustrustprinciples.html"