Did you know that less than 50% of glaucoma patients use their eye drops properly and risk vision loss? Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. When glaucoma is treated in its early stages, vision loss can be prevented. Recent studies show that more than half of glaucoma patients do not adhere to their prescribed treatment plans due to factors including difficulty in applying eye drops, lack of medication education and forgetfulness. Here are 6 tips to help overcome glaucoma medication challenges:
·
Be
honest with your eye doctor about your medication difficulties.
Missed a dose? It may not seem to matter much, but research shows that skipping
doses can cause your glaucoma to become more severe. Be candid with your eye
doctor about any problems you face in taking your medicine regularly, and ask
about the best way to make up for a missed dose. The more you tell your doctor,
the better he or she can help you find ways to customize your treatment plan to
make it more manageable for your lifestyle.
·
Ask
for help from health professionals and loved ones. It
can be difficult to keep track of which meds to take and when. Talk with your
ophthalmologist or pharmacist about your medications, their impact and possible
side effects. Also, use the buddy system and tell your friends, family and
caregivers about your condition and treatments. Consider taking a loved one or
caregiver with you to your eye appointments, so they can help you follow your
treatment plan when you're at home. They may also be able to help you apply
your eye drops at home.
·
Use
memory aids. The most common reason for not taking eye drops is
forgetfulness. Try simple memory aids like linking your eye drop schedule to
other things you do routinely. For example, put your eye drop bottle next to
your toothbrush or your pill box if you take other medications. Try using physical
reminders such as marking off a calendar when you use your drops, or moving
your eye drop bottle from one place to another after you've applied your drops.
Also, take advantage of today's technology and set an alarm on your phone to
help you make your medication a part of your daily routine, or look for free smartphone apps and other tools.
·
Perfect
the "pocket." Giving yourself eye drops can be challenging. In
fact, research has shown that nearly 30 percent of people taking glaucoma
medication are not properly applying their eye drops. This should involve
gently pulling and pinching the lower lid to make a pocket to catch your drops.
Once the drops are in, close your eyes (do not blink) and apply pressure to the
point where the lids meet the nose for two to three minutes.
· Don't use pot as a glaucoma treatment. Don't fall for rumors that medical marijuana can replace glaucoma medications. Prescription medicated drops are much more effective at treating the condition and have fewer risks than marijuana. Marijuana can also affect memory, which could make it more difficult to remember your treatments.
Certain factors put people at higher risk of developing glaucoma. These include age, family history of glaucoma, African-American and Hispanic-American ancestry, diabetes and past eye injuries. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all people get an eye exam by age 40, especially those who have a higher risk of glaucoma.
If you or someone you know is over 40, or has other glaucoma risk factors please schedule a glaucoma eye exam at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
