Mature man using eye drops at home in a living room

Dealing With Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an incurable eye disease often resulting from a build-up of pressure inside the eye. That pressure damages the optic nerve, which relays what the eye sees to the brain for processing. As that pathway fails, more and more vision is lost until none remains.

Just drop it

Eye drops designed to treat glaucoma can halt the harmful effects of the condition and prevent sight from worsening. For patients with the disease, that could mean having to take medications for life. Some drops only last around 24 hours and must be used systematically in order to be effective. Simply put, not taking a medication creates a risk of elevated ocular tension.

I like those odds

Therefore, taking glaucoma eye drops as prescribed offers the best chance of keeping pressure at a safe range. Here are some tips for helping to stay on track with keeping glaucoma at bay:

Stay motivated

Without a current cure, the fight against glaucoma can be a life-long ordeal. The key is to stay motivated with glaucoma treatment and take medications seriously. An alarming number of patients stop using glaucoma drops after just a short time.

Make a schedule

Perhaps the best method for adhering to an eye drop regimen is with a precise schedule. Lay out exact times to administer medications each day and don’t deviate from the plan if at all possible. Lining drop times up with meals or a particular activity can help prevent missing a dose.

Use memory aids

Memory aids can serve as excellent reminders for when to use drops. Mark a calendar with the times drops need to be taken or place bottles in clearly visible locations. Smartphones can work wonders for setting an alarm, and there are plenty of apps for tracking regimens as well.

Ask for help

Don’t hesitate to ask a friend or family member for help along the way. These acquaintances can help immensely with accountability and making sure drops are being used correctly. For particularly tricky droppers, a literal helping hand can make a huge difference. Having an individual come to an ophthalmology appointment gets another pair of ears on the treatment plan.

Count the costs

Medications are rarely cheap, and glaucoma eye drops are no exception. Because drops are essential for holding down eye pressure, being able to afford bottles is important. Different insurance carriers can pay various amounts for the same drop, but similar alternatives may be available. Working with a physician can help navigate costly pitfalls that could stand in the way of a regular routine.

Learn the pocket

Knowing how to administer drops properly can remove a lot of the frustrations surrounding glaucoma medication management. Good practice involves creating a pocket by pulling down and pinching the lower lid to catch drops. With the drop in place, gently close the eye without blinking so meds don’t get flushed out. Spacing drops about 5 minutes apart will further prevent washout.

Be honest with your doctor

Above all, keep any and all visits with the ophthalmologist. Only the doctor can gauge how effective drops are in lowering eye pressure and adjust medications as needed. This is also a great time to share concerns or difficulties in taking medicine regularly.