Some people know that glaucoma may be associated with another existing eye condition. More often than not, even those people don't realize that it usually does most of its damage without causing pain or other symptoms. By the time symptoms are noticed, irreversible vision loss may have occurred. With appropriate treatments, further vision loss can often be prevented.
Understanding glaucoma is the first step to ensuring that you get the proper care. Glaucoma is not "an old people's disease," as it was once thought. Senior citizens are at greater risk of developing glaucoma than younger people; however, a number of other factors place a person at risk as well. The incidence of glaucoma is greater in African-Americans than in any other ethnic population. Other eye conditions such as retina damage, cataracts, and myopia also place a person at risk of developing glaucoma, regardless of age. Some infants are born with glaucoma.
Edith Marks and Rita Montauredes' experiences with glaucoma led them to write a book for patients. In Coping with Glaucoma, they provide other patients with information about how the eye works, types of glaucoma, diagnosis, and various treatment options. One chapter is devoted to glaucoma in infants and children, and another to personal experiences with the effect of nutrition on control of intraocular pressure. Entire chapters discuss medications, laser therapy, and invasive surgeries. Chapter 11 discusses the importance of taking an active role in your own health care and presents some tips for communicating with your doctor. Chapter 12 provides some information about support services and stresses the importance of using these services.
A small percentage of people with glaucoma have severe visual impairments because of additional eye conditions or the fact that their glaucoma is difficult to control. Coping with Glaucoma ddoes not address the issue of living with a visual impairment. However, people whose glaucoma is in the early stages or who are undergoing treatment will be likely to find Coping with Glaucoma a helpful resource. At the time of my diagnosis, it was the only book about glaucoma I could find for patients. I found some portions of the book did not apply to me because of the severity of my visual impairment, but some chapters were extremely helpful. The book paved the way for my search for further information about the eye conditions I have.
Purchase Coping With Glaucoma from Amazon.com.
This document is copyright 2003 by Sarah J. Blake. For permission to reprint, please email Sarah at sarah@growingstrong.org.
Sarah J. Blake is a person with a visual impairment who has also studied blindness and eye conditions. She is not an eye care professional, and information on this site is not a substitute for face-to-face consultation with an eye care professional. This site is designed solely to assist patients and doctors in building cooperative relationships.
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