How to Control Glaucoma

Glaucoma can be tough to control, and the consequence of not controlling it is blindness. Glaucoma usually occurs when there is abnormally high eye pressure that damages the optical nerve. Because glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness, knowing how to control it is important.

Things You'll Need

• Referral to ophthalmologist
• Prescription medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Use your prescribed eye drops exactly as directed by your ophthalmologist. If you are prescribed more than one type of eye drop, wait the directed time between applications. When using your eye drops, close your eyes for one to two minutes after putting the drops in. With your eyes closed, press the corner of your eye next to your tear duct lightly with your fingertip. Also, wipe off any moisture on the skin.

• 2

  Take your oral medications as prescribed. Take them with meals to reduce nausea. Also, increase potassium intake by eating banana or taking a potassium supplement.

• 3

  Get surgery if your ophthalmologist recommends it. Although you might be apprehensive, surgery could save your vision.

• 4

  Drink small amounts of fluid throughout the day instead of drinking large quantities a few times a day. One quart of liquid can dramatically and temporarily increase eye pressure, causing more damage to the optical nerve.

• 5

  Exercise regularly if you have open-angle glaucoma (a type of glaucoma that causes loss of peripheral vision and tunnel vision). Regular exercise helps decrease eye pressure in this type of glaucoma. But an ophthalmologist and a physician should monitor exercise if you have inherited pigmentary glaucoma, which, while rare, is marked by pigmentary granules that float in the eye . Strenuous exercise and yoga positions where the head is down should be avoided, because both will increase eye pressure.