5 Ways to Manage Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a complex disease characterized by optic nerve damage that can lead to progressive and permanent vision loss. Early intervention plays a big role in preserving your eyesight.

In this article, our team at Maryland Eye Care Center shares five ways that you can manage glaucoma. 

Why glaucoma treatments matter

There are different types of glaucoma, but all involve high intraocular pressure (IOP). The intense pressure damages your optic nerve and can ruin your vision. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, and blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible. 

The good news is that a diagnosis of glaucoma doesn’t mean you’re destined to go blind. That’s because glaucoma is manageable, especially if caught early. Treatment focuses on reducing the pressure in your eyes, which helps prevent optic nerve damage.

5 ways to manage glaucoma

Glaucoma can be diagnosed during comprehensive eye exams at Maryland Eye Care Center. During a glaucoma screen, we measure your IOP, assess your optic nerve, check drainage angles, and measure the thickness of your cornea. 

If you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, you can manage it by:

1. Sticking to your medication schedule

Medication is typically the first line of defense against glaucoma, but it’s important to take your medication, including eye drops, on a strict schedule. Your eye drops, for example, can help preserve your vision by lowering your intraocular pressure. 

If you need help remembering to take your medication on time, use the alarm on your phone or set a reminder on a home-based virtual assistant device.

2. Exploring all of your treatment options

Medication is invaluable for managing glaucoma, but it’s not the only treatment option. Here at Maryland Eye Care Center, we also offer surgery and laser procedures, such as:

• Laser trabeculoplasty
• Filtering surgery
• Drainage tubes

The goal of surgery is to preserve your eyesight while minimizing the damage from glaucoma. 

3. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Regular aerobic exercise helps lower the IOP in your eyes. Even better, you don’t need to commit to an intensive exercise program to reap these rewards. 

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, any exercise that raises your heart rate by 20% can lower your IOP. Adding a few brisk walks to your weekly routine can help support your eye health.

4. Using assistive tools when needed

The symptoms of glaucoma, such as low vision, can make your daily tasks more challenging, but know that there are tools and assistive devices to help you manage. For instance, if you find reading to be difficult, consider:

• Hand-held magnifying glasses
• Audiobooks
• Online audio readers

You may also find that glaucoma support groups are invaluable in acquiring real-life tips for managing the challenges of glaucoma.

5. Scheduling regular ophthalmologist appointments 

Glaucoma won’t resolve on its own, so it’s important to schedule routine ophthalmologist appointments. We’re here to walk you through all of your options and recommend the right treatment based on the type of glaucoma you have and the severity of your vision loss.

Whether you need to schedule a glaucoma screening or have questions about your current treatment plan, book your appointment today at one of our Maryland Eye Care Center locations in Silver Spring and Hyattsville, Maryland.