About 9% of patients receiving IOP (eye pressure) -lowering treatment deny having glaucoma. While there can be debate as to how the question was presented and whether it over- or underestimated the true number, the fact remains that the number is too high. Clearly, patients need better glaucoma education, and health providers may need more training on how to effectively communicate. Perhaps other methods such as follow-up calls (emails/texts) from staff or doctors might combat the initial information overload that surely follows a glaucoma diagnosis.
In my practice we see a lot of patients for second opinions on glaucoma. I generally find that while the testing and treatment implemented by doctors were reasonable, the lack of adequate counseling (to the patient’s satisfaction) results not only in a poor understanding of glaucoma but also creates a perception of incompetence and doubt as to the proper diagnosis.
When patients are unsure of why they are taking a daily medication, they might forgo the second opinion and simply discontinue treatment. This highlights the fact that even with an extensive diagnostic and therapeutic arsenal,
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