PRESERVING YOUR VISION

How Compliance Can Help Save Your Sight

Compliance is the term for following a medication schedule as prescribed by a doctor. Non-compliance has been suggested as a leading cause of glaucoma blindness.

Research shows that up to 25% of glaucoma patients take none of their medication! Many others use their eye drops only now and then. Some people use their drops incorrectly - too much, too little, at the wrong time etc. Yet research shows that a rise in eye pressure by even a small degree is the biggest factor in the progression of glaucoma. If you let lapse the treatment which will keep your eye pressure down you are risking permanent vision loss.

It’s always a challenge for people to stick to treatment with any chronic disease. Glaucoma brings the added challenge of being symptom free, so you don’t notice any immediate bad effect when you skip a dose.

It’s important to be honest with your doctor if you are having trouble sticking to your eye drop regime. There is a risk that your eye specialist might opt for an unnecessary change of medication or even surgery if they misunderstand how much medication you have been using to achieve the result shown.

If you are experiencing unpleasant side effects say so. A different medication might be available for you. If you have trouble putting the drops in ask your doctor or eye clinic nurse for a lesson, or for an eye dropper aid. If it’s simple forgetfulness buy and set an alarm clock!

You want your sight to last you the rest of your lifetime. If you have glaucoma, to preserve your vision it is essential to lower eye pressure. This is not going to happen just because your eye specialist signs a prescription form. It will only happen when you put your drops in – day after day, year after year, without fail.