1. Everyone should undergo glaucoma screening after 40 years of age. This can be done earlier and is a must if there is a close relative having glaucoma.
2. Follow your health center's appointment schedule. Not all patients have the same follow-up pattern. Stick to what the doctor ordered.
3. Tests are sometimes required to get a baseline even if you do not have glaucoma.
4. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important factor in glaucoma and must be monitored. Try checking the IOP at different times of the day. The air puff or non-contact tonometer, which uses a burst of air to check IOP, is sensitive to your eyes. Do not squeeze your eyes during the test. Loosen the necktie before the test. If there is any doubt, get the IOP checked with a different machine.
5. Structural-functional tests are required for diagnosis. They need to be repeated at regular intervals to provide an idea about the trend in the changes.
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Have a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid stress and smoking. Avoid any supplements like body-building products without consulting a doctor first. Some of them have steroids which can cause/worsen glaucoma.
7. Seek support. Join a support group or keep in touch with individuals/relatives having glaucoma. This will give moral support and also information regarding any new treatment options.
8. Stay informed yourself. Educate yourself about glaucoma.
9. Avoid anxiety and depression regarding the condition. Glaucoma damage occurs very slowly in most cases. Use the medications regularly.
10. Compliance with treatment is the foundation of glaucoma management. It is seen that individuals who adhere to treatment in the first 2 years have long-term compliance. Therefore, the patient and treating healthcare worker should be very diligent in enforcing compliance in the first few years.
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