Newly diagnosed early open-angle glaucoma: experiences with drops and options

[James.A]

I was recently diagnosed with early-stage open-angle glaucoma during a routine eye exam, and my ophthalmologist has prescribed daily eye drops to lower the pressure. While I understand the importance of treatment, I'm concerned about the long-term commitment and potential side effects of the medication. For others managing glaucoma, what has been your experience with different classes of eye drops, and were you able to find one with minimal side effects? How do you remember to take them consistently, and what monitoring schedule do you follow with your doctor? I'm also curious about when laser treatments or surgical options are typically considered, and what the recovery and success rates are like for those procedures.

[Alexander91]

Questions to bring: what's your target IOP and what happens if I fall short? Will you test for glaucoma progression with OCT/visual fields? What are the expected recovery times and restrictions for each option? How many of your patients need repeat interventions? Do you have experience with MIGS vs traditional surgeries? Also ask about costs and insurance.