October is Health Literacy Month, a reminder of how important it is to understand the health information that guides your care. For people living with glaucoma, this couldn’t be more relevant. Managing glaucoma often involves learning new terms, weighing treatment options, and making decisions that impact your vision and long-term quality of life. But glaucoma language can be complicated, especially if your doctor uses words like intraocular pressure, visual field loss, or trabeculectomy without breaking them down.

Why Health Literacy Matters in Glaucoma

Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, and use health information to make choices that are right for you. For glaucoma patients, this means understanding how to interpret test results, knowing your treatment plan, and recognizing how lifestyle choices can impact your vision.

Without strong health literacy, patients may miss important details about:

• How and when to use prescribed eye drops
• Why consistent follow-up appointments are necessary
• What test results like OCT or visual field scans mean
• Which surgical procedures may be appropriate as the disease progresses

With better health literacy, you can:

• Ask clear questions about treatment side effects
• Compare options like laser therapy, drops, or surgery
• Follow medication instructions more accurately
• Recognize changes in your vision that need quick attention

Breaking Down Common Glaucoma Jargon

Glaucoma care comes with its own vocabulary. Understanding these words makes it easier to follow your care plan.

Common glaucoma terms explained:

• Intraocular pressure (IOP):The pressure inside your eye. High IOP is a major risk factor for glaucoma.
• Optic nerve: The “cable” that carries signals from your eye to your brain. Glaucoma damages this nerve.
• Visual field: The full area you can see without moving your eyes. Glaucoma often causes blind spots in this field.
• OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography): A test that uses light waves to create images of the optic nerve.
• Trabeculectomy: A type of surgery that creates a new drainage pathway to lower eye pressure.
• Angle-closure glaucoma: A type of glaucoma caused by blocked fluid drainage in the eye.
• POAG (Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma): The most common form of glaucoma, often slow and symptomless.

Recognizing terms like these can help you better follow conversations with your ophthalmologist.

Preparing for Your Doctor’s Visit

Glaucoma is a long-term condition, and every appointment matters. Preparation can help you get the most out of your time with your doctor.

How to prepare for a glaucoma checkup:

• Write down your questions ahead of time, for example: “How is my eye pressure trending?” or “Do my test results show any changes since last time?”
• Note any changes in your vision, such as new blind spots, blurry vision, or trouble seeing at night.
• Bring a list of all medications, including non-eye prescriptions, as some drugs can affect glaucoma.
• Ask if you can receive written instructions for your treatment plan, such as when to use drops and what side effects to watch for.

Communicating Clearly With Your Ophthalmologist

It’s natural to feel rushed or overwhelmed in the clinic, but there are strategies that can help:

• Ask for plain language: “Can you explain what these test results mean in everyday terms?” 
• Use teach-back: Repeat the instructions back to your doctor: “So I should use this eye drop once in the morning and once before bed, right?”
• Bring a trusted person: A friend or family member can help take notes or remind you of details later.
• Don’t hesitate to ask about alternatives: If a drop causes irritation, ask about other formulations or treatments.

Choosing Reliable Information About Glaucoma

It’s tempting to search online, but glaucoma information can vary in accuracy. Stick to reputable sources that are reviewed by medical experts and designed for patients and caregivers. Reliable options include:

• The Glaucoma Community
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
• Prevent Blindness—Glaucoma
• Glaucoma Research Foundation
• MedlinePlus—Glaucoma
• National Eye Institute (NEI)
• CDC—Vision Health

These organizations provide plain-language, medically reviewed resources designed for patients and caregivers.

Taking Charge of Your Glaucoma Care

Health literacy gives you the power to actively manage your glaucoma. With a better understanding of your disease, you’ll be able to:

• Follow your treatment plan more accurately
• Ask the right questions about medications or surgeries
• Identify trustworthy information online
• Protect your vision by making confident decisions about care

This Health Literacy Month, commit to one small action: write down your next set of questions, ask your doctor to explain a test result in plain language, or bookmark a trusted glaucoma resource.

Because when it comes to protecting your vision, the most powerful tool you have is understanding.

To ensure that we always provide you with high-quality, reliable information, The Glaucoma Community closely vets all sources. We do not, however, endorse or recommend any specific providers, treatments, or products, and the use of a given source does not imply an endorsement of any provider, treatment, medication, procedure, or device discussed within.