A 72-year-old African American man with a history of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus presents with the inability to clearly see objects at a distance and visual field loss. He also states that 2 days ago, he missed some stairs as he was walking up to the second floor of his home. The physician conducts an eye examination and determines that the patient’s IOP is 25 mm Hg, there is no hemorrhage in the retina, and his right eye has a mild cataract. The physician diagnoses this patient as having glaucoma.

1. After the physician leaves the room, the patient asks the medical assistant about this condition. How should the medical assistant explain the diagnosis to this patient, including its complications and possible relationship to his other disorders?

2. What available treatment options would you tell the patient about?

3. What would you tell the patient about his lifestyle that may be helpful with regard to this diagnosis?