Living with Glaucoma
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Being diagnosed with glaucoma can be scary. It’s important to know that while blindness can develop with glaucoma, it is a rare occurrence; only about 5% of glaucoma patients experience blindness. However, sight impairment is occurs in around 10% of patients.
Although loss of vision can occur even with the best treatment, correct treatment practices and follow-up exams will help the majority of patients with glaucoma. In addition to diagnosis and treatment, a major factor in living with Glaucoma is you. Some ways to better live with Glaucoma:
- Know your medications & make sure all of your doctors know your Glaucoma medications also. This is useful to prevent other prescriptions from interfering with glaucoma treatments and to keep your glaucoma symptoms under control.
- Report any side effects of your medication immediately. Even if your side effects are common or expected, it is best for you and your doctor to know how your body is reacting to treatment.
- Stay organized Use a schedule and keep a record of the medications you must take each day and at which times. A small notebook or alerts and notes on your cellphone may be helpful in this case.
- Stay healthy – This means a healthy diet rich in foods that aid eye health in addition to protecting your eyes from sun, water or debris during outdoor activities and reducing stress in your environment. All of these can wreak havoc on your health and glaucoma treatment.
Remember to keep regular visits with your eye care practitioner and help spread awareness about Glaucoma, its affects on people who have it and how others can manage after diagnosis.