What Happens If I Don’t Take my Glaucoma Eye Drops? 

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, it is likely that you were prescribed eye drops to lower the pressure inside your eyes. Since glaucoma is a chronic condition, there is no cure for it and treatment is needed for the entire lifetime. Many people struggle to use the eye drops properly and wonder what consequences there would be if they were to stop using the eye drops altogether. 

Basics of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve as a result of high pressure within the eyes. 

There is a fluid within the front of the eye that can be produced too quickly, have trouble draining from the eye, or have a combination of both problems. 

The only way to treat glaucoma is to lower the eye pressure either using eye drops or surgery. 

For early glaucoma, eye drops are the first line of treatment since the eye drops are less invasive than an eye surgery. 

Types of Eye Drops for Glaucoma

There are five categories of eye drops which can be prescribed to lower the eye pressure in glaucoma. 

Prostaglandin analog medications are eye drops with a teal cap that are prescribed to be used one time a day before bed. These medications increase the drainage of fluid from the eye. 

Beta blocker medications are eye drops with a yellow cap that are prescribed to use twice a day. These drops reduce the amount of fluid produced in the eye. 

Alpha agonist medications are eye drops with a purple cap that are prescribed two to three times per day. These drops reduce the production of fluid and increase the drainage of fluid from the eye. 

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor medications are eye drops with an orange cap that are  prescribed to us twice a day. 

There are also combination eye drops which contain two of the medications to lower eye pressure. These combination eye drops are prescribed to be used twice a day. 

Issues with Using Eye Drops

If the glaucoma eye drops are not used routinely and as prescribed by the eye doctor, the pressure lowering effect can be less than desired. 

If there are multiple eye drops prescribed, it is important that all drops are used appropriately and every day. 

If the eye drops are not used routinely or at all, the eye pressure can increase and the damage to the optic nerve from glaucoma can occur more rapidly. 

Risks of Not Using Eye Drops for Glaucoma

While the pressure increase that can occur when eye drops are not used is concerning, the effects of this increased pressure is even more concerning. 

Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and the fibers that carry vision to the brain. 

If these nerve fibers are damaged, there can be areas of the vision that develop blind spots where the visual field is missing. 

If the progression of glaucoma is not stopped with eye drops, it can require surgery later or may be irreversible and result in permanent vision loss and blindness. 

When an eye doctor prescribes medications for glaucoma, it is very important to use the drops regularly as directed. 

Dr. Nathan Abraham and the staff of the Abraham Eye Center specializes in cataract surgery, LASIK, PRK, and various corneal surgeries.  Call our ophthalmologist in Valencia, CA today at 661-977-7377 or schedule an appointment online if you have any questions or are having difficulty taking eye drops for glaucoma.  Our eye doctor provides only the highest quality eye care and surgical services amongst eye doctors in the Valencia California area.