If you’re one of the millions of people living with glaucoma, Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) wants you to know that there are actions you can take to slow or even prevent disease progression, especially when glaucoma is found early. According to JHM ophthalmologist Jithin Yohannan, M.D., M.P.H., though some glaucoma patients may permanently lose eyesight, “lifestyle changes and medications can reduce its impact.” What can you do?*

Be consistent with medications

It’s not uncommon for glaucoma patients to take multiple eye drops each day to manage their disease. Yohannan offers several tips to make medication use easier.

• Create a schedule to ensure you take the right dose at the right times.
• Set alarms/alerts on your digital devices for handy reminders.
• Inform your doctor of any issues with your medications.

Says Yohannan, “Strict adherence to medication is the single most important thing a patient with glaucoma can do to keep their vision from worsening,”

Prevent falls and accidents

Loss of peripheral (side) vision can predispose glaucoma patients to falls and accidents. To help stay safe:

• Use colored tape to mark hazardous areas, such as stairs, doorways, and table edges.
• Arrange frequently used utensils and appliances for easy access.
• “Scan” an area before entering, carefully looking side to side and up and down for objects you may otherwise miss.

Exercise regularly

Exercise is not only very good for overall health but also for the eyes. Yohannan recommends exercising several times per week, but first consulting with your doctor about your routine.

• He suggests avoiding exercises that place your head below your heart, such as certain yoga positions, and not lifting very heavy weights.

These two caveats are linked to increased eye pressure that can worsen glaucoma, he explains.

Keep reading

Reading can be challenging for people with low vision, but Yohannan has several tips.

• A handheld or tabletop magnifying device can enlarge text and labels.
• An audiobook can allow you to work on your listening skills.
• Online audio readers are also available for internet browsing.

There’s also help for those who do their reading on a computer. The screen can be made brighter, and most web browsers allow for font size enlargement and contrast change, as well. Look for the three-dot sequence (“…”) in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Accept support

There’s no shame in accepting help. In fact, open discussion with your support network is key to maintaining independence and comfort. Transportation and other needs can be worked out with family, friends, and local resources, while a support group can help provide emotional uplift and inventive hacks for carrying out daily activities with greater ease. 

Keep the lines of communication open with your healthcare team, as well, Yohannan advises. Giving them status updates and going for regular checkups helps with optimum management.

The good news is “[g]laucoma is often a very manageable disease,” encourages Yohannan. “The vast majority of patients will not go blind from glaucoma if they maintain good follow-up with their care team and follow their recommendations.”

*Yohannan, J. (n.d.). 5 Tips for Living Better with Glaucoma. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-tips-for-living-better-with-glaucoma