4 Strategies to Remember Glaucoma Medications
Glaucoma patients often struggle with remembering to take their medications, a crucial aspect of managing their condition. This article presents expert-backed strategies to help improve medication adherence for those dealing with glaucoma. From emotional anchoring to treating eye health like business meetings, these practical tips aim to make remembering glaucoma medications a seamless part of daily life.
- Emotional Anchoring Boosts Medication Adherence
- Link Drops to Daily Habits
- Keep Medications Visible in Bathroom
- Treat Eye Health Like Business Meetings
Emotional Anchoring Boosts Medication Adherence
As a therapist working with clients managing chronic conditions and addiction recovery, I've seen how medication adherence directly impacts mental health outcomes. Many of my clients initially struggled with consistency until we implemented what I call "emotional anchoring" - connecting the medication routine to a meaningful personal value rather than just a schedule.
One client dealing with both anxiety and a chronic eye condition transformed her approach when we linked her morning medication to her commitment to being present for her children. Instead of relying on phone alarms that felt clinical and easy to dismiss, she placed her medication next to her daughter's school photo on the nightstand. Every morning when she saw that photo, it reminded her that taking care of her health was taking care of her family.
The breakthrough came when we shifted from "I have to take this" to "I choose this because it serves my bigger purpose." This reframe reduced the resistance and guilt cycle that often sabotages medication routines. When people connect their health management to their core values - whether that's independence, family, or personal goals - compliance becomes an act of self-respect rather than a burden.
From my work in substance abuse counseling, I've learned that sustainable habits require emotional investment, not just behavioral modification. The most successful clients create meaning around their health routines, making each dose a conscious choice toward the life they want to live.
Link Drops to Daily Habits
One simple but effective strategy I use is tying my glaucoma drops to an existing daily habit. I keep them right next to my toothbrush and apply them immediately after brushing my teeth each morning and night. This habit-stacking approach makes it much harder to forget because the medication becomes linked to something I already do automatically.
If you're struggling with consistency, try setting multiple reminders that work for your lifestyle. This could be a phone alarm, a smart speaker alert, or even a sticky note on your bathroom mirror—whatever works until taking your medication becomes second nature. Getting support from family members or friends can also make a difference, especially during those first few weeks of establishing the routine. Remember that consistency is crucial for protecting your vision, and building a reliable routine around your medication can truly be a sight-saver.
Keep Medications Visible in Bathroom
It may not sound ideal, but I keep my medications in a small transparent bag in my bathroom, and I almost never forget to use them, especially the eye drops. Setting alarms or keeping them in other places might help a bit, but it's not as effective as this method. You might rush to work and miss them, but when they're in the bathroom where you go every morning, it's nearly impossible to skip the medications. Finding what works best for you is great, and if you spend a lot of time at your desk at work, consider leaving them there for easy accessibility.
Treat Eye Health Like Business Meetings
I don't personally have glaucoma, but building NanoLisse taught me everything about consistency when it comes to health routines. When we were developing our nano-absorption technology, I had to test our collagen mist and hyaluronic serum twice daily for months to track results.
The game-changer was treating my medication like a non-negotiable business meeting. I set two phone alarms daily - one at 8 AM and one at 8 PM - with custom labels that said "Eye Health Meeting." Just as I wouldn't skip a call with investors, I trained myself never to dismiss those alarms.
What really sealed it was keeping my medication next to my skincare products. Since I use our NanoLisse duo religiously morning and night, I physically can't reach my serum without seeing my eye drops. This visual trigger eliminated the mental load of remembering.
The pharmaceutical approach works: make it automatic, not dependent on memory. Your vision is worth the same systematic attention you'd give any critical business process.
