Managing Glaucoma: How to Keep Your Vision Longer
Glaucoma usually creeps up slow, so the best wins come from steady habits, not quick fixes. If you have glaucoma or are at risk, you can slow vision loss by using treatments correctly, tracking changes, and making simple daily choices.
Start with your eye drops. Most people use drops as the first line of defense. There are several types — prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors — and each works differently to lower eye pressure. Stick to the exact schedule your doctor prescribes. Missing doses is the most common reason pressure isn't controlled.
Drop technique matters: wash hands, tilt your head back, pull down the lower lid, squeeze one drop into the pocket, close your eye for about 1–2 minutes and gently press the corner of your eye (punctal occlusion) to keep the medicine in the eye and reduce systemic side effects. Wait five minutes before another different eyedrop. Store drops as advised and check expiration dates.
When drops aren’t enough
If pressure stays high despite drops, your doctor may suggest laser or surgery. A laser trabeculoplasty can lower pressure and sometimes reduce the number of drops you need. It's quick, outpatient, and many people see results in weeks.
For more advanced disease, surgical options include trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices (shunts), and newer minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). Each has trade-offs: some lower pressure more but need more recovery and follow-up; MIGS often has faster recovery but may lower pressure less. Ask your surgeon what improvement to expect, the recovery timeline, and how many follow-up visits and procedures are typical.
Daily habits and monitoring that help
Keep regular follow-ups: visual field tests and OCT scans track nerve damage and guide treatment changes. Bring a list of all your meds (including steroids and supplements) to every visit — steroid eye drops or even long-term oral steroids can raise eye pressure.
Simple lifestyle steps help too. Moderate aerobic exercise can lower eye pressure temporarily and supports overall vascular health. Avoid heavy weightlifting or straining that can spike pressure. Limit very high caffeine intake if you notice pressure fluctuations. Sleep with your head slightly elevated if one eye worsens overnight.
Know warning signs: sudden eye pain, halos around lights, sudden vision loss, or intense headache need urgent care. If you can’t afford meds, ask your clinic about generic options, patient assistance, or laser as a cost-saving step. Talk to your doctor about side effects like burning, redness, or slow heart rate — some meds interact with heart or lung medicines.
Managing glaucoma is a team effort: you, your eye doctor, and sometimes a surgeon. Keep appointments, use drops right, report changes quickly, and ask questions about options and costs. Small, consistent steps make the biggest difference for keeping sight.
May, 12 2023