Self-Care

Controlling glaucoma is up to you
As we have said, glaucoma- often called the "sneak thief" of sight- is not normally heralded by obvious symptoms. To safe-guard vision, anyone over 40 should undergo a comprehensive eye examination every year. This also applies if other risk factors are present such as high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of glaucoma.

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, you must follow instructions meticulously with regard to your medication. It must become a central part of your daily routine if it is to be effective! You should never stop taking your medication without talking to your ophthalmologist or optometrist. Also, if you are seeing other physicians for any reason, tell them about your eye medication.

Finally, because the effects of glaucoma may worsen (or improve) without your being aware of the change, follow your eye doctor's recommendations on regular check-ups to monitor your progress.

Glaucoma and high blood pressure
Glaucoma is not generally related to high blood pressure, however, any patient on high blood pressure medication should inform their ophthalmologist and family doctor of all medications they are currently taking. Certain drugs taken for glaucoma can interact with those taken for other conditions.

Free Guides books are available from the Glaucoma Research Foundation.