Glaucoma is a group of diseases or conditions that affect the eyes. These diseases are often caused by extraordinarily high pressure inside the eye or intraocular pressure. This pressure damages the optic nerve in the eyes.

Glaucoma is a serious condition. It is one of the major causes of blindness. When you suffer from this disease, your vision will be reduced until such time that it will be lost completely.

While glaucoma may be a serious condition, it can be prevented or its effects can be minimized with early detection and treatment.

Drops

There are different ways to treat this eye condition. One easy way of treating it is with the use of glaucoma drops. Treating glaucoma with eye drops is by far the most common way that treatment is begun. Luckily most people respond well to eye drops and do not have to resort to surgery, especially if they are fully compliant with all instructions.

Although it would appear that drops are easy to use, they should be used properly in order to maximize their benefits. Instructions on labels as well as guidelines from your eye doctor should be strictly followed.

Here are the steps you need to follow when using glaucoma drops to treat your eye condition:

•    Before applying the drops, make sure that you are in a comfortable and stable position so you will be able to put the drops directly in your eyes.

•    Once you find a good position, tilt your head backward.

•    Use your index finger to gently pull downward the skin below your lower eyelid to create an opening. If you feel that the opening is not sufficient to catch the drop, you may use your thumb and forefinger to support your index finger in pulling down the skin on your lower eyelid.

•    Put the prescribed number of drops in the opening or pocket. Maintain a considerable distance between the dropper and your eye or eyelid so that the former will not touch the latter.

•    When the prescribed number of glaucoma drops has been completed, close your eyes. Note, however, that you should not close them tightly as the drops may be pushed out of your eyes. If you are not sure if the drop fell into your eye, allow one more drop to fall in. By experience, an eyelid can only hold one drop at a time and the excess will be pushed out of the eye. In fact the eye can only hold half of one drop so some spillage is to be expected.

•    Using your index finger and thumb or two index fingers, gently press the inner corner of your closed eye. The inner corner of the eye is the one near your nose. This will help the drops stay inside your eyes instead of rolling out. Maintain pressure on the inner corner for around two minutes or for the time prescribed by your ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist.

•    If there are any excess medications around your eyes, use a tissue to gently blot them out. Most glaucoma eye drops have preservatives so if you experience itchy, dry irritated eyes and eyelids you might be having an allergic reaction to the preservatives.  This is not dangerous but needs to be attended to as it can become quite uncomfortable.

•    If you are having difficulty finding a stable position that will allow you to put the drops in your eyes perfectly, you can try to lie down on your side. Close your eyes and place a drop on the inner corner of your eyelid. Afterwards, open your eyes to allow the drop to fall in. If you still encounter difficulties in placing glaucoma drops in your eyes, you should consult your eye doctor so he can advise you of other alternatives.