The Truth About Living with Glaucoma: Unseen Battles and Quiet Wins

Extra Medication And Consulting Doctors

We are all human, which means misplacing items is inevitable. Although, on average, individuals are better at keeping track of their medication, having extra on hand can still be quite beneficial, especially for glaucoma patients. If patients accidentally misplace pills or eye drops, even temporarily, an extra supply ensures they do not miss a dose. This is especially important when traveling, since replacing medication or getting another dose on the go is much harder than when patients are at home. Of course, all medications have potential side effects. Sometimes they are not worrisome and easy to deal with, but in certain cases, they can be severe. Thus, it is vital for glaucoma patients to talk to their doctors about their medication, even before they start taking it. Getting familiar with the potential side effects makes it much easier to course-correct if necessary. Patients should talk to their doctor about any side effects they experience, not just serious ones. Even when there are no side effects, patients should still keep in close contact with their doctor if the medication decreases in its effectiveness, stops working entirely, or if there are significant changes to their daily routine. Doctors can adjust the dosage, change the medication entirely, or find an alternative timing for doses that work for the patient.

Other Healthcare Providers And Glaucoma

Whenever individuals visit the hospital or a new health care provider, one of the most common questions they will be asked is if they are taking medication, and if so, what it is for. Most doctors will also ask their regular patients this periodically to update their knowledge. Thus, patients should always disclose they have glaucoma and what they are doing or taking to treat it. This knowledge helps other healthcare providers prescribe treatments and other medications that will not interfere with the glaucoma medication. Although interactions may differ, sources often recommend being particularly wary of medications with steroids when taking glaucoma medication.