Highlights
Risk Factors
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Family history is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma. A 2005 study indicated that siblings of patients with open-angle glaucoma have a 20% chance of developing glaucoma by the time they are 70 years old.
Treatment Research
- Dorzolamide (Trusopt) may work well in reducing eye pressure in young children with glaucoma. Promising results from a trial involving children younger than 6 years old were published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.
- The trabectome is a new type of surgical instrument that is used to perform a less invasive type of glaucoma surgery. Researchers reported at the 2005 meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that surgery using this new instrument successfully reduced eye pressure in 90% of patients with open-angle glaucoma.
- Treating glaucoma in its early stages can significantly reduce economic costs for patients. According to a 2006 study in the Archives of Ophthalmology, early-stage glaucoma treatment costs patients around $600 per year, while late-stage glaucoma treatment costs more than $2500 per year.
Take Your Eye Drops
Consistently taking glaucoma medication is the best way to prevent blindness, but recent research suggests that nearly half of patients do not follow their doctor's orders. If you are skipping your medication, or have problems taking it, be sure to talk with your doctor. Here are some tips for taking eye drops:
- Tilt your head back.
- With one hand, pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket.
- With your other hand, hold the bottle near your eye.
- After the drop, press your index finger against the corner of the eye near your nose. Gently move the lower lid upward until the eye is closed.
- Keep your eye closed for at least 1 minute.
- Wait at least 5 minutes before applying another drop.
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