Prevention

Most of the risk factors (such as age, race, and family history) for glaucoma are beyond your control. If you are under age 40 and have no known risk factors, you need to have an eye exam that includes tests for glaucoma every 5 to 10 years.⁷ These tests may be done by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. If there is a history of glaucoma in your family or if you have other risk factors for glaucoma, talk with your doctor about having more frequent exams. If you are at increased risk, you need to have regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist.

Home Treatment

The success of treatment for glaucoma depends on your learning about the disease, using your medicines as prescribed, and getting routine checkups to monitor the condition and prevent complications. By doing so, you can decrease your chance of losing your eyesight.

• Use your glaucoma medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Use color-coded bottle caps on your medicines to help you remember when to take them. If you need reminders for using your medicines, use alarm clocks or watches, notes on mirrors or tables, and other cues. If you have problems using your medicine according to the prescribed schedule, talk with your doctor. Some tips to decrease the side effects of glaucoma medicines, such as the proper way to insert eyedrops, may help you use your medicines as prescribed. If you notice side effects from your glaucoma medicine, notify your doctor. Your medicine may need to be changed.
• Check with a doctor before taking any nonprescription medicines. If you have narrow drainage angles and are at risk for closed-angle glaucoma, your doctor may warn you about medicines that widen (dilate) the pupil. When the pupil dilates, the drainage angles can become blocked, causing closed-angle glaucoma. There are some medicines that you need to avoid, such as certain antihistamines and motion sickness medicines. Also, tell your eye specialist what other prescription medicines you are taking. Make sure all your doctors know that you have glaucoma.
• Carry a wallet card or other identification that states that you have glaucoma. The card needs to list all medicines you are taking, including glaucoma medicines.

Living with reduced vision

Reduced vision from glaucoma can affect a person's life in many ways. How much you will be affected depends on the severity of your vision loss, what kinds of activities you do, and your lifestyle. Work with your doctor to find ways to make the best use of your remaining vision. You can use vision aids such as video enlargement systems and large-print items, develop a support network, and receive counseling and training to help you cope with reduced vision and maintain your quality of life.

Because glaucoma often leads to a significant loss of vision, learning that you have glaucoma can be difficult. You may feel anger or fear, or you may feel saddened and become depressed. These feelings are perfectly normal. If you need help in dealing with them, talk to your doctor and to your family and friends. Your doctor can also refer you to counselors who specialize in helping people adjust to living with low vision. Because glaucoma is a lifelong disease, it may be helpful for you to join a support group for people who have the disease.

Glaucoma: Living With Reduced Vision

For additional information on support groups, products, and services related to glaucoma and living with low vision, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.