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Will I go blind?
With treatment, glaucoma can usually be prevented from worsening and most people retain useful vision for life. Remember that having a high eye pressure doesn’t usually cause any symptoms and, therefore, damage from your glaucoma can be quite advanced before you notice a difference in your sight. If you’re using eye drops, it’s important to remember to use them exactly as prescribed to prevent further damage to your sight.
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Can I be cured?
The damage done to your vision before you were diagnosed is irreversible and there is no cure for glaucoma. However, it may be possible to prevent it from worsening, and the best way to do this is to use your treatment as prescribed and by keeping your regular follow-up appointments.
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I have been prescribed eye drops. Does it matter if I miss a dose?
It’s very important to try to take all your doses of eye drops. People who often miss doses experience worse vision loss and higher eye pressure than those who never miss a dose. However, if you very occasionally forget, don’t panic. Simply use your drops as soon as you remember, or carry on as normal if it’s almost time for your next dose. Never double the dose to make up for a missed one.
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How important is it to put the drops in at exactly the right time?
It’s important to get into a routine and to put the drops in at roughly the same time each day, but the exact time is less important. There are several ways to help your remember when to put your drops in – using a chart with tick boxes or a box with compartments for the drop bottles, for instance
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Does it matter if I put more drops into my eye than I should?
No. If you’re not sure whether the first drop went in, it is ok to put in another drop. But generally, try not to put in more than your doctor has advised, to avoid the possibility of side effects.
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What is the difference between glaucoma and ocular hypertension?
Glaucoma is usually linked with high pressure in the eye, known as raised intraocular pressure. This raised pressure generally leads to optic nerve damage and the greater the pressure, the greater the risk of damage. Ocular hypertension is raised intraocular pressure but with no optic nerve damage.
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How often do I need to have my eyes checked?
That depends on how severe your glaucoma is. Ask your healthcare professional when you need to return for your next appointment.
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What should I expect at my appointments?
During your appointment, your general and peripheral vision will be tested and your eye pressure will be checked. You may also be given eye drops that help the healthcare professional to examine the back of your eye. These drops may make your vision temporarily blurred, so it’s best not to drive home from your appointment.
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How will I know if my treatment is working?
Glaucoma can sometimes have no obvious symptoms so really the only way of seeing if your treatment is working is to have regular check-ups with your eye doctor so that the pressure in your eye can be monitored.
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Can I continue to live my life the way I always have?
Yes. Providing you take your prescribed medicine, you should be able to carry on with life just as normal. Playing tennis and football are OK, as is exercise like yoga, as long as you don’t knock your eyes or get an infection. Swimming is also fine as eye drops are absorbed quickly, so will not be washed away. You should be able to carry on driving, provided your sight has not deteriorated below the DVLA’s acceptable sight standards. You can find out more about this on their website. Glaucoma should not stop you enjoying your life or socialising with friends and family.
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If I want to talk to someone or find out more about my condition, what should I do?
Contact your eye doctor or GP. You can also talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about your medication. For further support and information, there are patient support groups such as the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) and the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB). Please also see LoveSight, a Pfizer Patient support programme
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Will glasses help?
Glasses do not directly help glaucoma but you may need them anyway.