Glaucoma is a disease that affects millions of people around the world. Glaucoma occurs when the fluid level inside your eyeball rises causing an increased pressure, this can lead to vision loss. According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma the second leading cause of blindness. At the moment, glaucoma is incurable, but there are many different eye care treatments that can help control the disease and hopefully prevent vision loss. Once diagnosed with glaucoma, life-long eye care treatment is necessary. One of these treatments is eye drops.

Prescription eye drops are an important part of the eye care treatment regimen. They help prevent progression of glaucoma by working to maintain the pressure inside your eye at a healthy level. In a 2002 study, Americans said blindness was their 3rd biggest fear behind cancer and heart disease. But if that’s the case, why is it that 40% of the patients diagnosed with glaucoma do not take their glaucoma medications as prescribed, or do not continue to refill them? East West Eye Institute has come up with some possible explanations why so many glaucoma patients don’t follow the doctor’s orders.

Some people are afraid of eye drops and flinch at the thought of something going into their eye. If this sounds like you, please don’t let that prevent you from taking your medication, because if you don’t take them as prescribed, it can lead to further blindness and eye care. If you are afraid of the drop hitting your eyes, East West Eye has an alternative that can help. Place the drop outside of the lid in the corner of your eye near your nose. When you open your eye, the drop will roll in. Then, gently close your eye again, and keep it closed for a few minutes without blinking.

A lot of patients run out of drops too quickly. Insurance companies have placed limitations on the quantities of eye drops and the speed at which patients can get a refill. These regulations have a big affect on your treatment routine. Sometimes two drops come out at once or do not land directly in your eye, so there is a small percentage of drops that get wasted. If you are running out of eye drops, please let your doctor know. Keep track of when you run out, or on days when you have to skip doses because you don’t have enough. Your doctor may be able to provide you with a sample of eye drops, or can request an exception from your insurer. Also tell your pharmacist, and they can check what your insurance allows. If that doesn’t work, contact your insurance company directly and file a complaint. We know that this can be tedious, but it is important to maintain good eye care.

Once diagnosed with glaucoma, it is a lifelong battle, and eye care treatment must become a daily part of your life. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the East West Eye Institute at 877-871-1684.