Receiving a glaucoma diagnosis can be unsettling, overwhelming, or even scary. Glaucoma progresses so slowly that it can seem to sneak up on you. Once it’s far enough along to receive a diagnosis, you must start ongoing treatment to avoid further vision loss. 

You can rest assured that many people with glaucoma continue their lives with minimal restrictions, especially if they have only just begun to exhibit symptoms. Here are some tips on how to manage life with glaucoma and maintain an optimal quality of life.*

Taking action

When you first find out that you have a chronic medical condition, you may feel as though your health is out of your hands. but that’s not the case. Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, so it’s helpful to learn as much as you can about your type of glaucoma, such as:

• How it affects your eyes 
• What causes it
• How it’s treated
• What underlying diseases and behaviors can affect it

Understanding your glaucoma can help you make informed choices and empower you to take steps to prevent further vision loss and preserve the vision you have. 

Keeping appointments

One step that is in your power is keeping all of your scheduled appointments with your ophthalmologist. Your doctor needs to know how your eyes are responding to treatment and make sure that there are no new adverse conditions that may interfere with your treatment. You can also use these opportunities to ask any questions you may have and voice any concerns.

Managing medications

You must take your medications exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Eye drops need to be administered daily, so if you have difficulty establishing new habits, you can try the following techniques:

• Set a timer for taking your medication.
• Take your medication first thing in the morning or just before bed.
• Schedule your medication doses to coincide with activities that are already daily habits, such as meals, showers, brushing your teeth, or favorite TV shows.

Missing doses of your glaucoma medications can elevate your inner eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP), and cause your glaucoma to worsen. 

Finding support 

Having a chronic condition can feel isolating and cause feelings of loneliness, so it’s a good idea to gather a support network around you. Support can come from many different places, including your care team, friends, family, spiritual advisors, members of your religious organization, and more. 

There are millions of people in the U.S. alone who understand what you’re going through, based on their own firsthand experience. It’s recommended to find a glaucoma support group, whether online or in-person in your area. Help is available if you seek it out—and you can learn to be a valuable resource for someone else with glaucoma like you, too.

Changes to tell your doctor about

Lastly, it’s important to monitor your condition in between office visits. If you notice signs that your vision is getting worse or recognize changes that interfere with your daily activities, let your doctor know. 

Such signs or changes may occur when or include:

• Driving 
• Playing sports 
• Loss of contrast sensitivity (differentiating between objects and their backgrounds) 
• Problems with glare (e.g., from car headlights at night)
• Light sensitivity

If you’re finding it challenging to drive at night, consider changing your schedule, carpooling, or arranging for alternate modes of transportation for evening jobs, appointments, or other events, for your safety and that of others.  

*Bedinghaus, T. (2020, Aug. 17). How to Cope and Live With Glaucoma. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/living-with-glaucoma-3421932