LIVING WITH GLAUCOMA

Living with glaucoma and coming to terms with your diagnosis often requires the support of a specialist, alongside any friends and family you tell. So, to help you navigate any changes you need to make we have put together some useful tips on living well with glaucoma.

Being diagnosed with glaucoma

After a glaucoma diagnosis, you might feel worried or concerned about managing it properly and preventing potential future vision loss. But with the right treatment combined with a good at-home eye health routine, it’s entirely possible to carry on living life to the fullest without the fear of sight loss hanging over you.

Although there isn’t a definitive cure for glaucoma, the condition can be managed using drops, alongside other treatment options. Above all, the most important thing to remember is that your eye care professional can help you navigate your diagnosis and treatment.

You can find out more about living with glaucoma in the downloadable patient booklet below.

Glaucoma Patient Booklet

TREATMENTS & SURGERY AVAILABLE FOR GLAUCOMA

The root cause of glaucoma is still unknown, however, there are a few treatment options available that can help slow the progression of the condition. The primary objective of treatment is to prolong your vision by lowering the pressure inside your eyes. You’ll usually work with your eye care professional to choose a treatment that suits you best. From eye drops to surgeries, here are the options available for those suffering from glaucoma.

EYE DROPS

Eye drops are a common treatment option an eye care professional will turn to when going through your choices. This is because they’re non-invasive, quick and easy to integrate into everyday life.

Completing any treatment offered by your healthcare or eye care professional is important, so if you’re told to use drops, you should make sure to follow this advice. Try asking your eye care professional for preservative-free eye drops where possible since these are less likely to cause any uncomfortable or irritating side effects. This can be especially crucial if you’ll be using drops every day.

LASER TREATMENT

Laser treatment can be used to target and unblock the drainage outlets in the eye, allowing the built-up fluid to drain more easily and therefore lower the eye pressure.

MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery)

MIGS can refer to a range of techniques and devices designed to reduce the pressure in the eye. The treatment can include tiny incisions and/or microscopic equipment, which have been designed to reduce risk.

TRABECULECTOMY SURGERY

A surgery in which a stent-like device is implanted into the eye to improve the drainage of fluid from the eyes to lower the eye pressure.

How to put in eye drops with glaucoma

Struggling to apply your eye drops? Here are a few top tips to help you apply them properly so that they can get to work managing your glaucoma symptoms.

Stand at a mirror: Carefully pull down your lower eyelid with one hand to create a good-sized gap for the drops to fall into. With your other hand, either squeeze or gently tap the bottle over your eye to release a drop into the gap.

Lay down: Can’t keep the bottle steady enough to apply your drops when standing up? Try lying down, look up check that the nozzle is above your eye and squeeze it to release a drop.

Keep the drop in your eye: If your eyes tend to water straight after applying an eye drop, it might not have a chance to work properly. Once you’ve successfully applied a drop to your eye, close it and gently press on the inner corner of your eye lid for around two minutes to block the tear duct. This will improve eye drop absorption and help reduce side effects on other parts of the body¹.

Aids: There is a variety of available aids that can help with application of your eye drops. Ask your eye care professional about them.

It's very important to correctly instill your glaucoma eye drops every day. You may not see any difference in vision, which is why regular checks are so important. Report any side effects or intolerance to your treatment that you experience.

Living with glaucoma:
your questions answered

Can you drive with glaucoma?

Statistically, only a little over 1 in 10 people with glaucoma lose their license¹. Providing that signs of glaucoma are caught early, and you stick with the advice and treatment plan given by your glaucoma specialist, it’s highly unlikely that you would have your driving license taken away following a diagnosis. However, as with any other diagnosed health condition that might affect your sight, the DVLA must be made aware if you suffer from glaucoma in both eyes and one eye if you’re a commercial driver.

Can you fly with glaucoma?

Glaucoma shouldn’t put a stop to any holiday plans you make since people with this condition can usually fly without experiencing any issues. Although some people might worry that the air pressure might affect the pressure in their eyes, you can rest assured that the controlled air pressure in the cabin makes up for the natural drop in pressure when planes reach high altitudes. Even slight decreases in the pressure on top of this shouldn’t lead to your eye pressure rising.

The only thing to remember is that you should pack your glaucoma drops in your hand luggage so that they’re within reach if needed throughout the journey. If you have recently had surgery, always check with your eye care professional before making any travel arrangements.

Can you go swimming with glaucoma?

You should have no problem going for a swim if you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma. But if you plan on putting your head under the water, it’s recommended that you wear large swimming goggles since smaller ones might press down on the eye and increase the pressure¹.

Can you wear contact lenses with glaucoma?

Many glaucoma sufferers can continue wearing contact lenses as normal without any issues. We would always recommend you discuss your contact lens use with your eye care professional.

References:
1. Glaucoma UK

GLAUCOMA ADVICE

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

GLAUCOMA CAUSES

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