Advice for glaucoma patients

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Saturday, December 25, 2021 3:00 PM

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, or what is known as glaucoma, is known among people as glaucoma, as it is a group of disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve to the eye. This is usually due to an increase in pressure inside the eye , as a result of the inability to properly drain the fluid that supplies the front of the eye, which is known as aqueous humor, or an increase in its production. [1] The importance of the optic nerve in sending Visual signals from the eye to the brain so that a person can see, and it consists of a group of nerve fibers that may number more than a million, [2]It should be noted that a large proportion of people with glaucoma do not know that they have the disease since its early stages, and that glaucoma may not be accompanied by clear warning symptoms and feel it, especially at the beginning of the disease, [3] but with the passage of time the patient begins to notice a gradual decrease in the peripheral vision or Side effects, and may lead to vision loss in the end if the condition is not treated and the treatment plan set by the doctor is adhered to. [4] [5]


Another rare type of glaucoma or glaucoma is known as low-tension glaucoma. This disease is represented by damage to the optic nerve even though the eye pressure is within its normal limits. The optic nerve reduces the amount of blood flowing to it. [5] It should be noted that glaucoma should be diagnosed and treated early. To be able to control it, by reducing pressure in the eye, as some eye drops or laser treatment are usually used, and sometimes surgery is used, and this in turn may help reduce or prevent vision loss, but the damaged part cannot be repaired. Previously lost vision cannot be retrieved. [2] [4]


Advice for glaucoma patients

Regular visits to the attending physician

Regular visits to the ophthalmologist help control glaucoma, especially since glaucoma develops gradually, and often without apparent symptoms at first, so it is important to adhere to the doctor's recommendations regarding the frequency of medical review visits. The doctor may recommend weekly or monthly reviews, or At a lower rate, depending on the situation, it is necessary for both the patient and the doctor to be fully aware of the development of the disease because this makes it easier to control and treat it, and the patient must also inform the doctor if any side effects of the treatment they receive appear or if they feel any developments that are difficult to understand. By the patient. [6]


Lifestyle change

A person with glaucoma must receive the necessary treatment for life in addition to frequent check-ups to avoid the possibility of a gradual decrease in the field of vision. That is why it is important to provide him with moral support from close people. [6] [7] In addition to that, changing lifestyle and following some home advice may help control high eye pressure or enhance eye health, and among these tips we mention the following: [7] [8]

  • Follow a healthy diet, and eat foods rich in nutrients and vitamins , and it is worth noting that these foods do not prevent glaucoma, but they are important for eye health. Examples include: zinc, copper, selenium (*), and antioxidant vitamins such as: vitamin C, vitamin A, And vitamin E.
  • Doing some regular exercise, as it may reduce eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma.
  • Limit drinking fluids containing caffeine , because drinking caffeine in large quantities may increase pressure inside the eye.
  • Make sure to drink moderate amounts of fluids throughout the day to avoid temporary high eye pressure.
  • Raise the head on the pillows while sleeping, as this may help reduce eye pressure during sleep.
  • Take care to clean the eyes, and avoid using substances that cause irritation, especially cosmetics that cause eye irritation.
  • Quit Smoking.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Avoid rubbing the eyes, although some glaucoma medications may cause itchy eyes.
  • Take care of the general health of the body in addition to the eyes.


Tips for glaucoma treatments

Adhere to drug treatments

The patient must adhere to using the prescribed drug treatments to benefit as much as possible from the treatment, and to reduce the aggravation of damage to the optic nerve, and thus prevent the increase in symptoms from getting worse, and these treatments may be in the form of eye drops or oral medicines as the doctor deems appropriate, and from the advice that should be The patient should consider them regarding drug treatments: [7] [8]

  • Commitment to receiving treatment on time every day, and making it part of the daily routine, and the doctor must also be informed in the event of any change in the daily routine of the patient’s life, which in turn may affect the dates of taking medicines, so the doctor may change the times of receiving treatment.
  • Make sure to obtain additional packages of medicines to find in the event of loss, and to take prescriptions for medicines in cases of travel or long trips.
  • Inform the doctor if any side effects appear as a result of receiving treatment , and inform him of the other medicines that he is taking.
  • Inform the doctor in the event that symptoms worsen and do not respond to medication, as the doctor may change the type of medication.


After the surgical procedures

Treatment may require surgery for glaucoma, and the following advice and guidelines are recommended in the postoperative recovery phase: [9]

  • Avoid rubbing or scratching the affected eye, even if the patient feels that the vision is not clear, this is a normal thing that the patient feels after the operation and lasts for a few days.
  • Make sure to use all prescribed eye drops to help relieve itching and avoid infection.
  • Avoid lifting and carrying heavy materials, and not doing strenuous activities.
  • Avoid swimming and temporarily avoiding hot tubs during the post-operative recovery period. As it forms a suitable environment for the growth of the bacteria causing the infection.



Margins: (*) Selenium: one of the minerals beneficial to the human body, it has antioxidant properties, thus it protects cells from damage, and is found naturally in water and some types of foods. [10]


References

  1. Kierstan Boyd (28-8-2019), "What is Glaucoma?" , Www.aao.org , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  2. ^ A b "Glaucoma" , Www.aoa.org , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  3. "At a glance: Glaucoma" , www.nei.nih.gov , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  4. ^ A b "Eyes - Glaucoma" , Www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  5. ^ A b by Tim Newman, Ann Marie Griff (15-12-2017), "What ' Is Glaucoma?" , Www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  6. ^ A b of Troy Bedinghaus (10-12-2019), "How To To Cope With Live Tags And Glaucoma" , Www.verywellhealth.com , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  7. ^ A b t "Glaucoma" , Www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  8. ^ A b "Understanding And Living With Glaucoma" , Www.glaucoma.org , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  9. "What to Expect After Glaucoma Surgery" , www.eyecenteroftexas.com , Retrieved 17-12-2019. Edited.
  10. "Selenium" , www.webmd.com , Retrieved 27-8-2020. Edited.