Glaucoma

Glaucoma


Here’s a free collection of resources about Glaucoma (eye condition that can result in blindness).

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Glaucoma Survey

We’re surveying people about their experiences with Glaucoma. Here will be a collection of their responses.

*This information is not meant to replace medical advice, and the information gathered via surveys may or may not be correct. Hopefully it will be helpful to you!

*Response format = Answer (Name, Age)

**Click here to share your experience with Glaucoma**

Glaucoma Symptoms

What symptoms have you experienced?

  • Pain, vision loss, cataracts secondary to Tx. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • Loss of vision and eye pain. (Kathy, 60 years old)
  • None, only when I was tested did I know. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Causes

Is there anything you believe contributed to or caused your Glaucoma?

  • Possibly triggered by Topamax. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • My mother, uncle (on mother’s side) and sister have glaucoma. (Janice, 59 years old)
  • No. (Kathy, 60 years old)
  • I’m very nearsighted, my Mom is also a glaucoma suspect. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Facts

What are some interesting facts about Glaucoma?

  • The number of people with glaucoma; if you don’t follow-up with eye appointments you may never know you have glaucoma; lifestyle changes, how eye pressure fluctuates. (Janice, 59 years old)
  • It is a disease that if caught early and with the proper treatment, can be controlled. (Kathy, 60 years old)
  • I’m surprised at how many don’t regularly treat it. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Difficulties

What are the hardest aspects of living with Glaucoma?

  • Loss of vision. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • Taking the eye drops. Learning about people that have gone blind from the disease and the desperation of sufferers trying to keep what vision they have. The anticipation of blindness when it may never come. (Janice, 59 years old)
  • The hardest aspect is that everyone thinks it is is curable, it is not, it is only controllable. (Kathy, 60 years old)
  • The side effects from eye drops. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Advice

What encouragement/advice can you give others who experience Glaucoma?

  • It can be slowed. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • Live your life without thinking about having glaucoma. I think the stress and anxiety of trying to figure out when you will go blind adds to the intensity of having the disease. Stay positive and think about living life to the fullest and make sure you take the drops and attend all your appts. with your GS. Also, find a good GS who is committed to helping you keep your vision. (Janice, 59 years old)
  • Keep all your appointments and do not miss your drops. (Kathy, 60 years old)
  • Do everything you can to preserve your vision, it is priceless. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Treatments

What’s been your experience with treatments (medication, surgery, etc.)?

  • Laser, Rx. and surgery. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • I was recently diagnosed during an annual exam after switching doctors. I’ve only taken drops but would be hesitant with surgery. (Janice, 59 years old)
  • Two trabeculectomy surgeries, multiple revisions, and many medications. (Kathy, 60 years old)
  • Eyedrops. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Recommendations

Anything you’d recommend for someone with Glaucoma?

  • Follow the plan developed by your Doctors. Find daily aids that help you function. Such as tablets for reading, changing the lighting in your home, adjust furnishings for ease of getting around, and enlist friends/family when driving becomes an issue. I have multiple sets of sunglasses in various locations. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • An OOphthalmologistwho specializes in glaucoma. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Resources

What specific resources have you found most helpful?

  • Patient education, do be careful of sources. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • Facebook Glaucoma groups. (Janice, 59 years old)
  • The Internet. (Paula, 63 years old)

Glaucoma Stories

Share an experience you’ve had related to living with Glaucoma.

  • First acute angle closure altered my world. The subsequent journey has been difficult but not impossible. (Sandra, 55 years old)
  • It’s the lifestyle changes that has surprised me. For example, yoga positions and certain weight training that could raise your eye pressure and the toll the eye drops take on your eyes (redness, black circles, burning, etc.). (Janice, 59 years old)
  • I am only a suspect, but I have many side effects from eyedrops. (Paula, 63 years old)