Living with glaucoma
With well-treated glaucoma you can lead a normal, active life. A few points:
Driving:
as long as your visual acuity and visual field meet the legal requirements, you may drive. In Switzerland, driving a car (cat. B) requires minimum values for visual field and acuity. Advanced glaucoma can limit fitness to drive – have this assessed by your ophthalmologist.
Sport:
physical activity is healthy and usually safe; endurance exercise may help. Extreme head-down positions (some inverted yoga poses) and straining while holding your breath can briefly raise pressure – ask if unsure.
Diet:
balanced, drink enough spread through the day (not litres at once), stop smoking. Coffee in moderation is fine.
Pregnancy:
some glaucoma medicines are unsuitable in pregnancy/breastfeeding. If planning a pregnancy, discuss treatment beforehand with your ophthalmologist.
General:
cortisone only under ophthalmic supervision; tell your other doctors about your glaucoma; encourage relatives over 40 to get checked.