Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight,” as there are usually no symptoms until advanced stages. The goal of treatment is to keep the disease under control to prevent further damage to the optic nerve (the brain-eye connection) and vision loss. Research into reversing vision loss is ongoing, but for now, sight that is lost cannot be regained. 

To effectively manage this silent disease, it’s critical that patients adhere to their doctor’s instructions. Here, consultant ophthalmic surgeon Sally Ameen, MBBS, BSC, FRCOphth explains three important ways people diagnosed with glaucoma can prevent loss of vision.*

Take your eye drops as prescribed

Ameen says it’s critical not to miss prescribed eye drops or other medications. “Unfortunately, any damage that happens to the [optic] nerve is irreversible.” She says that “it’s imperative to be as conscious about taking the drops at the appropriate times as possible.”

The Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study has illustrated the importance of medication adherence. Glaucoma patients who hadn’t missed a medication dose in eight years had significantly less estimated visual field loss than those who reported missing doses. The more missed doses, the greater the visual loss.

Fulfill all of your appointments

Keeping up with scheduled eye doctor appointments is the only way to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and how the disease is, or is not, progressing.

These appointments are also an opportune time to ask your doctor any glaucoma-related questions you may have. Areas people often have questions about include:

• Disease basics (what type of glaucoma you have or what caused it)
• Treatment options (knowing all of the options specific to your situation)
• Lifestyle adjustments (diet, exercise, home- or job-related changes, etc.)
• Resources and support (low-vision aids, online support groups, etc.)

Be sure you’re ready to record the answers to any questions. Bringing a notepad is wise, as well as a family member or friend who may remember something you might miss.

Obtaining a printout of your treatment and instructions can help to avoid misunderstandings.

Be mindful of eye safety

Ameen says that it’s “very important” for glaucoma patients who have had eye surgery to lower eye pressure—especially trabeculectomy (filtration surgery)—to not rub their eyes or move suddenly. Doing so could lead to post-surgical complications and further eye damage.

She says patients should be “very gentle” with their eyes and mindful of eye safety. In addition to rubbing, this includes making sure any chemicals don’t get inside the eye. Eye safety is important to avoid damaging the surgical area that could disrupt glaucoma management.

*OCL Vision. (2021, October 20). 3 things to avoid when you have glaucoma [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF2H7RZG-kY