Living with Glaucoma
You must work with your eye doctory if you have glaucoma. Your eye doctors know how to treat glaucoma, but they have to work with you and to find the best way to treat your disease.
- Be sure to ask any questions you have at each visit or call with any concerns between visits so these can be addressed.
- Advise your eye doctor if your eye medicines are causing any side effects.
- Tell all of your other doctors about your eye medicines you’re taking.
- Tell your eye doctor if you have any changes to your systemic medications.
Getting More Involved in Your Treatment
Even if medication, laser, or surgery 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 someone you are comfortable with. 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 in treating glaucoma.
You may require medicine daily 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 and share ways to remember your medicines.
Unfortunately, there are a few people whose eyesight will continue to get worse, despite doing all the right things to control their glaucoma. There is continued research for glaucoma treatment options and your doctors are a great resource in regard to new developments in glaucoma.
Questions for your Eye Doctor
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:
- What do these medications do?
- How much will they cost? Will my insurance help pay for them?
► These may be questions for your insurance company rather than your doctor, however we will assist in answering as best as possible. - What are the potential side effects of these medications?
- Can I do anything to lower the chance of side effects?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Will I need surgery? What are the risks and benefits of laser treatment and/or glaucoma surgery?
- What will my vision be like after surgery?
- How long will recovery take and what restrictions will I have after surgery?
Share What You’ve Learned
Sharing what you’ve learned with other people who have glaucoma may help you cope with this chronic eye disease.