Family Support Crucial for Glaucoma Treatment

Modern medicine has progressed to the point where glaucoma is now a very treatable condition. However, it is still one of the biggest causes of preventable blindness. This is largely due to the fact that many people fail to go to their ophthalmologist regularly for eye screenings.

By the time you notice any signs of deterioration in your vision, your glaucoma has most likely damaged your eye and optic nerve. Unfortunately, this damage is permanent. For this reason, it is extremely important to start getting regular eye exams around age 40, when many degenerative eye conditions such as glaucoma start to develop.

Research also indicates that people with support from at least one family member are much more likely to maintain their treatment course for glaucoma than people who don't have any familial support.

Patients with a family member intimately involved in their treatment are much less likely to forget to take their eye drops. Often, family members are instrumental in helping an elderly patient set up a medication schedule that fits in with his or her daily routine, and in some cases are even necessary to help administer drops. If glaucoma treatment is neglected, the patient runs a serious risk of blindness.

You can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.