Before Patrice Keegan developed open-angle glaucoma, her husband Bob says, they used to have “a lot of fun” being active, engaging in sports, and traveling. Life has changed now. In a video produced by BrightFocus Foundation, Bob describes how he and Patrice have had to adjust to the challenges of her low vision.*

Game-stopping disease

Bob and Patrice Keegan used to enjoy playing tennis with a group of friends. Now that Patrice has open-angle glaucoma, however, Bob says she can no longer see the ball coming, and they’ve had to stop playing.

There have been less tangible changes, as well. Patrice had always been a confident person, Bob explains, but after the diagnosis, there was a “sense of insecurity.” He’d had no idea of the extent of her vision loss, he admits, and that realization came as quite a shock. 

Bob and Patrice have been together 46 years, building their careers and a family and then adjusting to an empty nest. Glaucoma presented a new challenge they would also face together.

Runs in the family (1:04)

At the time of their marriage, Bob knew that Patrice’s grandfather was blind from glaucoma, as were her grandfather’s two brothers. Yet, Bob had no real understanding of the disease, nor did he know that Patrice was so vulnerable. “It was a scary thing” when she was diagnosed.

Gradual adjustment (1:18)

It took a while for him to learn the many ways in which Patrice would need his help as she began to lose her independence. Today, he is Patrice’s primary caregiver and helps with driving, preventing falls, and assisting with things she enjoys, like cooking. When preparing meals, Patrice says Bob makes sure she doesn’t cut herself or drop too much food and that she prepares the food safely and appropriately.

What worries most glaucoma patients (2:07)

A recent survey revealed that most glaucoma patients worry about how the disease will affect their lives. In particular, they worry about:

• No longer able to drive
• Losing their independence
• Becoming a burden

The need to make adjustments does not constitute a burden, and many products, services, and other resources are available to help patients and caregivers who live with low vision and blindness. 

New priorities (2:23)

Bob says that caregivers need to prioritize many different things and in new ways. His wife’s needs have become more important than his career. “You really…have to re-prioritize things in your life to help.”

Over the years, Bob has come to understand a lot about caring for Patrice. He explains that you take for granted your loved one can see when you don’t know what it’s like to have glaucoma. “Without that sense of awareness, it’s not gonna work.”

A message for those not yet diagnosed (3:40)

For those not yet diagnosed with glaucoma, Bob advises getting checked out if you:

• Have difficulty driving at night
• Find yourself tripping over things

“Get professional intervention before it gets worse because it will get worse,” Bob cautions. “That’s what happened to my wife. She was too late.”

*BrightFocus Foundation. (2021, April 8). A Husband’s Story: Bob [Video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoc8HmiOzPw