When I was in my early fifties, I experienced flashes of lights in both my eyes. An eye exam revealed that I had holes in both my retinas. I had laser surgery to rectify the condition and drops were prescribed as a follow up. When I returned for another exam, I discovered that I now had glaucoma in both eyes, and that I had lost some vision in my left eye. My doctor prescribed eye drops to treat my glaucoma, and I was sent on my way.

I didnīt consult a glaucoma specialist and, in fact, I didnīt have a follow up exam for about a year. When I did, I found out that glaucoma had now claimed some of the sight in my left eye. Within three years, my right eye also succumbed to glaucoma, but by then I was told that I needed laser and filtration surgery to preserve the eyesight in my left eye. At the time, I was leading an extremely busy life. My job as a trainer of teachers in special education was very demanding and, like many working women, I put my work, my family and my home ahead of my own needs. So, I went through with the treatment of the left eye and subsequently, laser treatment to my right eye while trying to ignore my glaucoma until much later in my life.

After retirement, glaucoma became an important issue for me, requiring that I establish some coping mechanisms. I became more and more intrigued with my disease and I decided that I wanted to learn as much as I could about it. Glaucoma then became a real focus in my life. I joined a support group and started researching medical and pharmaceutical information, and investigating how diet and exercise can affect our eyes. I also began to write and edit a newsletter for the support group in which I attempted to make glaucoma understandable for other people. In fact, I began to devote much of my time to helping others cope with glaucoma. I actually put aside my first love -- writing novels -- to work on a nonfiction book about glaucoma. (For more information on how Edith has changed her lifestyle, please see her book.)

In a strange and wonderful sense, glaucoma has been a gift. It helped me discover that I was capable of learning a whole new discipline. It enabled me to develop a second, very interesting and rewarding career. And, during the last couple of years, it has made my life extraordinary. I have appeared on television and radio talk shows. I have been honored by prestigious organizations for my work in glaucoma and my work as a volunteer who helps those with the disease.

Perhaps the strangest development has been that, despite the fact that I lost some vision in both my eyes, glaucoma has made me a much healthier person. This is the result of my focusing on the health aspects of glaucoma. I started to see the disease in a different light. It is not just an affliction of the eyes. Like any medical ailment, glaucoma is a condition of your mind and your attitude as well as your body. There is much evidence to show that a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce pressure and keep glaucoma under control.

Over the years, I had filtration surgery on my right eye and a second filtration surgery on my left eye. My glaucoma is now controlled with drops only in my left eye. I recently had cataracts removed from both eyes. At one point, I thought I would lose my vision altogether, but now I feel that Iīll be able to maintain my eyesight for the rest of my life.

If I were to point to one thing you need to cope with glaucoma, I would say it is an optimistic attitude. Although your doctorīs advice is crucial for your treatment, you must also do things for yourself. Glaucoma patients need to take charge of their own conditions.

Now, when I look back on my life, I realize that if I had given more time for myself and reduced my stress, I might never have gotten glaucoma. But I also know that glaucoma forced me to make my life healthier and probably has prevented me from getting other diseases. If you believe that there is a purpose in everything that happens to us in life, perhaps this is why glaucoma came my way. Now, I hope to use my experience to help others.


Coping with Glaucoma:
A Guide to living with Glaucoma for You and Your Family

Authors: Edith Marks with Rita Montauredes
Publisher: Avery Publishing Group, 1997


Coping with Glaucoma: A Guide to Living with Glaucoma for You and Your Family has been very well received by patients and doctors alike and is a available in bookstores around the country. This work is the first of its kind: providing plain English, non-medical descriptions of what glaucoma can do to the eyes and the souls of its victims.

Coping with Glaucoma has been called, "the first comprehensive treatment of the subject of glaucoma written for the general public."

                                                                                                                  April, 2003