You must work with your eye doctor if you have glaucoma. Eye doctors know how to treat glaucoma, but they have to work with you to find the best way to treat your disease.
Even if surgery or drugs lower pressure in your eye, it's still possible to lose vision. Therefore, you and your doctor must carefully monitor the disease.
Since you will be visiting your eye doctor regularly, usually every three months, take time and care in choosing a person with whom you are comfortable. Your doctor should be board certified and have advanced training in the specialty field. Your doctor should understand that your questions and concerns are important. A doctor who is willing to work with you, listen to your concerns and provide the best treatment, plays a large part in your success against glaucoma.
You have to help save your sight! You may need medicines every day for the rest of your life. Find support and encouragement from your family, friends and others. Sometimes it helps to talk to people who have experienced the same thing. It can help you to discuss side effects, share ways to remember your medicines and celebrate getting your glaucoma under control.
Unfortunately, there are a few people whose eyesight will continue to get worse, despite doing all the right things to control their glaucoma. Doctors aren't sure why this happens, but research in this area continues.
The future holds great promise for treating glaucoma. New medicines are being developed. Other treatments may soon become available. In the meantime, take heart in knowing that you're doing everything possible to treat your glaucoma successfully. The doctor/patient team approach, support from others and promising scientific discoveries will help you look forward to a bright future.
You will have many questions as your doctor diagnoses and treats your glaucoma. It's helpful to keep a list of these questions, especially if they come to mind in between your eye appointments. Write your questions down and bring the list with you, then discuss them with your doctor. Here are some questions many people have:
Sharing what you've teamed with other people who have glaucoma may help you cope with this chronic eye disease.