On January 20, 2026, Prevent Blindness hosted “Critical Conversations About Glaucoma”—a practical, patient-focused webinar moderated by Hillary Golden, Founder of Glaucoma Coach and an ASPECT Patient Engagement Program graduate. The session featured glaucoma specialists and members of our Expert Advisory Council Karen Allison, MD (University of Rochester Medical Center) and Pathik P. Amin, OD, FAAO (University of Illinois Chicago), plus a powerful advocacy moment from Jeanetta Price (Prevent Blindness).*

If you couldn’t attend live (or want to rewatch), the full recording is worth your time. Below are the main takeaways—with timestamps so you can jump to the parts that matter most to you.

Glaucoma basics: what patients should understand early on [2:04–6:40]

Dr. Allison emphasized that many patients leave early visits with unanswered “big” questions; sometimes because they’re unsure what to ask. She encouraged patients to start with the fundamentals:

• “What is glaucoma?” and how it differs from being a “glaucoma suspect”
• Is it curable? What do treatments actually do?
• “How did I get this?” Many people blame themselves, but in most cases we don’t know exactly why glaucoma develops

Dr. Amin reinforced an important reality: glaucoma is often painless and symptomless, and treatment is designed to prevent future loss, not restore what’s already been damaged. He also explained “normal” eye pressure and why it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Eye drops: adherence, technique, and how to make them easier [6:48–10:17]

Dr. Amin broke drop use into three common problem areas: adherence, instillation (getting the drop in), and access.

What patients found most useful:

• Pair drops with an existing habit (brushing teeth, nightly meds) rather than creating a brand-new routine
• Use tools like reminder apps, calendars, or printable schedules
• Instillation tip: tilt head back, pull down lower lid, and place the drop into the “pocket”
• If you’re unsure the drop is landing, ask someone to confirm, or ask your provider to watch you do it
• Helpful hacks: refrigerating drops for a “cool” confirmation and using squeeze aids for hard-to-dispense bottles

Bottom line: drops aren’t “just drops.” They’re medication, and consistency matters.

“How do I describe my vision changes?” (without guessing medical terms) [10:17–13:12]

Dr. Allison explained why glaucoma is so hard to notice: vision loss often begins in the periphery, and the brain “fills in” missing areas, so people may not realize what’s happening until disease is advanced.

Instead of trying to describe the defect clinically, she recommended describing how it affects daily life, such as:

• Trouble going down stairs
• Needing more light
• Difficulty with depth perception (pouring, cutting, reaching)

She also suggested checking each eye separately at home (briefly closing one eye at a time) to notice differences you may not pick up with both eyes open.

Daily life and independence: what tends to be hardest [13:30–15:28]

Dr. Amin shared that most patients with early, treated open-angle glaucoma can maintain a good quality of life, but those diagnosed later or who progress quickly may face real challenges.

Common quality-of-life topics include:

• Mobility and fall risk, especially when lower (inferior) peripheral vision is affected
• Driving concerns, even in mild disease, including lane positioning and reaction variability 
• Reading and task accuracy, particularly if central vision is affected 

Managing fear and overwhelm: what helps patients cope [15:28–19:47]

Dr. Allison emphasized the importance of knowing your stage (early/mid/late) and glaucoma type, because it helps replace vague fear with clarity. She also reinforced a hopeful message: glaucoma is often slowly progressive, and many people do not go blind, especially with consistent care.

She highlighted support options when life feels heavy: vision rehab, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, and community resources. She also shared practical lifestyle reminders, exercise, careful yoga (avoid inverted positions), and healthy eating, framed as supporting overall eye/optic nerve health, not “curing” glaucoma.

Talking to family: why it matters and what to say [20:10–23:09]

Dr. Amin explained why family conversations are so important: glaucoma is often silent, so screening is how we catch it early. He also shared that family history can significantly increase risk and encouraged patients to talk to siblings and children about routine eye exams.

He added an important reminder: one normal screening doesn’t “clear” someone forever, risk increases with age, so follow-up matters.

Lifestyle: sleep, blood pressure timing, and being engaged in your care [23:09–27:23]

Dr. Allison recommended:

• Prioritizing good sleep and sleeping with your head slightly elevated
• Discussing nighttime blood pressure drops with your medical team, especially in normal-tension glaucoma contexts
• Tracking and logging key numbers: eye pressure, plus related health factors like blood pressure and blood sugar
• Keeping up with annual testing such as visual fields and OCT

“What should I ask my doctor?” A simple question list [28:12–34:10]

Both speakers emphasized that patients should feel empowered to ask directly:

• “Is my glaucoma stable?” 
• “What’s my prognosis—what’s my personal risk of vision loss?”
• “What other treatment options are available?” (drops, preservative-free options, laser, procedures) 
• “What type of glaucoma do I have?” 
• “What’s my target eye pressure?” and “Am I at target?” (and keep a log)

Low vision support (and why you may need to ask for it) [34:28–38:46]

Dr. Amin explained that low vision referrals aren’t automatic, so it helps to speak up about what you’re struggling with. He outlined what low vision care can include:

• Tools like magnifiers
• Training for mobility and safety
• Home modifications (lighting, contrast, glare reduction, tactile markers)

Dr. Allison added something patients rarely hear out loud: mental health and financial support matter too, especially when vision loss affects work, independence, and daily functioning.

A powerful advocacy moment: Jeanetta Price’s poem [52:39–56:19]

Jeanetta Price shared an emotional and motivating poem about what glaucoma can take—and why advocacy can give people their lives back. One line that landed hard: “Yes, glaucoma can steal eyes, but not our lives.” 

 👉🏼 Read her entire poem here.

*Prevent Blindness. (January 20, 2025). “Critical Conversations About Glaucoma” Webinar Session youtube.com

The information provided by The Glaucoma Community is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always talk with your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or care. The Glaucoma Community does not endorse specific treatments, providers, or products.