Several people have been living with glaucoma for 30 years, and they have done so by proper treatment. You can’t regain your vision once you lose it. Those who manage glaucoma well can live a normal, independent life. The major problem with glaucoma is that people with early-stage glaucoma live without any symptoms. Glaucoma at this stage is almost unaffected. There is no exact cure. The only options for treatment are medication, surgery, or laser treatment.
Table of Content
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition that gradually damages the eye’s nerves. This condition destroys the cells responsible for sending images to the brain. The average fluid rises in the eye’s front part resulting in increased pressure within the eye. It is also referred to as increased intraocular pressure. If left untreated, it will eventually lead to blindness. It is possible with the awareness of this issue and managing it well from the start. You can also become the one living with glaucoma for 30 years or even more.
Diagnosis
This condition can be challenging to diagnose. The symptoms do not appear immediately and progress slowly over the years which is why glaucoma may be a silent killer. You will start noticing when you already have had severe damage. Glaucoma can be diagnosed at any stage, even at a young age. There have been cases where people are diagnosed with glaucoma at age 26. Many patients have glaucoma at 25 years. So age doesn’t matter. To diagnose glaucoma, the following tests can be performed:
1. Using Eye Drops
The glaucoma test is painless and quick. Your ophthalmologist will check your eyesight. They will widen (dilate) your pupils by using drops to examine your eyes.
2. Taking Pictures
The eye specialist will examine the optic nerve for indications of glaucoma. They can take pictures so they can see the changes on your next visit.
3. Tonometry Test
The doctors perform a tonometry test to check the pressure in your eyes.
4. Visual Field Test
They can also do this test to see if you have lost peripheral vision.
5. Imaging Test
If your doctor suspects glaucoma, he may order a particular imaging test of your optic nerve.
Living With Glaucoma Tips
For the patient, the only real meaning of glaucoma is that it can disable them. Of course, the doctor aims to prevent patients from becoming disabled. But the main thing that matters is you taking care of yourself. You can be among those who have been living with glaucoma for 30 years. Just take care of your eyes, don’t ignore their needs. Stop asking, can you live a normal life with glaucoma? Just stick to your doctor’s instructions, and you can live a normal life. Here are some living with glaucoma tips that will help you in managing this condition.
Keep your Glaucoma Condition Well Checked
You should visit your doctor to get a regular examination of your eyes. With every visit, your doctor will identify the level of glaucoma, i.e., how it is progressing or under control. It will provide helpful information to your doctor. The data will guide him to treat your condition correctly.
Educate Yourself
It is challenging for most people with glaucoma to accept the interpretation. Glaucoma frequently does not show any symptoms and progresses at a prolonged rate. Glaucoma education will make it easier for you to manage it. It is beneficial when you have glaucoma at a young age. Say you came to know that you are suffering from glaucoma at 25 years old. You have much potential to gain deep knowledge about your condition. We have seen many glaucoma success stories in which the patient becomes a glaucoma specialist later on in life. They educated themselves in so many ways and were able to treat other glaucoma patients.
Manage Your Medications
You should take your medicine regularly to treat glaucoma. The drug should be taken accurately as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss your medication, it will increase your eye pressure. Increased IOP will aggravate the condition.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
It is not surprising if someone has been living with glaucoma for 30 years. You can also live a normal life by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Consume a Good Diet
Take food rich in antioxidants, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamins A & D, etc. Such nutrients are helpful for the health of the eyes. Although they do not treat it completely, they prevent its progression.
Exercise Regularly
Maintain a healthy weight by making a routine of doing exercise daily. It will help to decrease the eye pressure and will increase the blood flow to the eyes.
Be Persistent
The best tip among the various living with glaucoma tips is patient consistency. If you have glaucoma, you too can become a part of glaucoma success stories. But the thing to do is be consistent with your treatment. Don’t get tired of your routine.
Other Tips
- Maintaining your blood pressure
- Avoiding smoking
- Not being in the sun for a longer duration
Glaucoma Success Stories
Here we will share the Glaucoma success stories of the people. They have been living a healthy life with this condition for a long time.
Story of a patient who had glaucoma at 25 years
There’s a patient named Laura, who is a director in New York. She has been living with glaucoma for 35 years. She shared her glaucoma success story. In the story, she told that she was 25 and in university when Laura noticed her eyes get tired when she read. As glaucoma has no early symptoms, she did not take it seriously. She thought she might have some eyesight issues and need new glasses. She went to the doctor with her mother—the first time when the doctor told her about her eye disease. She got scared at first by knowing that she had some severe disease at such a young age.
But having this disease at such a young age helped her so that she could recover, and she grew up with this disease. Because her glaucoma had already progressed, she had surgery at age 30. After that, she remained stuck to its treatment. For example, she was taking eye drops and other medication regularly and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After the diagnosis, she remained careful and adjusted to the condition. Now in the past 15 years, she has had no vision loss.
Story of 65 years old Ryan
There is another patient named Ryan who shares his success story. In his story, he said that he sometimes did not even remember he had glaucoma. The condition was painless and under control in the case of Ryan. He said he was diagnosed with this disease 30 years ago when he was 35 years old. He said that he managed his condition from the start as he regularly goes to medical checkups. He said he strictly follows the instructions given by his doctors. He took medicine regularly. He started at 5 to 6 types of drops. Now he is using only two types of drops for morning and night. He has been successfully living with glaucoma for 30 years.
The Average Age for Glaucoma
In people over 40, glaucoma is prevalent. The average age for glaucoma could be 40 to 60 years. Yet, glaucoma can develop in individuals of all ages, even in newborns. So don’t worry if you have glaucoma in your early 20s. If you handle the condition well, it can remain under control, and you can live a normal life just like others.
Celebrities with Glaucoma
Although there is a greater risk of having glaucoma at over 60, it can affect anyone, even celebrities.
- Bono the U2 frontman is famous for both his singing and his unique colored shades. People consider it a fashion statement. But he wears it because he was diagnosed with glaucoma about 20 years ago.
- Whoopi Goldberg is an outstanding host and comedian of America. She is also living with glaucoma.
- Roseanne Barr, famous for the popular comedy play Roseanne. She is also diagnosed with glaucoma.
Now you know there are many celebrities with glaucoma. They all are living successful lives. So if you are wondering, can you live everyday life with glaucoma? The answer to that question is yes. All you have to do is follow the above-described tips. The most important tip is to book an appointment with an eye specialist immediately. Don’t know which one to contact? Marham. Pk is such a platform that makes this task easy for you. You can book an online appointment as soon as you want. You can search for the best eye specialist in Lahore or any other area you are living in as soon as you want. Go to Marham. Pk and book your appointment now.
FAQs
1. Can you live a normal life with glaucoma?
Yes! By strictly following your doctor’s instructions and by educating yourself, you can live a normal life with glaucoma.
2. Is it normal to have glaucoma at age 26?
Yes, it is normal if you have glaucoma at age 26. There is no need to worry. You can manage glaucoma with proper treatment at any age.
3. What is the average age for glaucoma?
The average age for glaucoma is 40 to 60 years. However, glaucoma can develop in individuals of all ages, even in newborns.
4. Could stress be the reason for glaucoma?
Yes, it is one of the significant reasons for glaucoma because it negatively affects the brain and eyes.
