Successful management of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) depends heavily on patient compliance with the treatment plan. Studies have clearly shown that early treatment will slow the progress of the POAG. Despite this fact, and even when treatment plans are negotiated with the patient, patient behavior may not be conducive to conserving vision in later life. Poor compliance results from a variety of causes, including lack of understanding of the diagnosis and the progress of POAG. As POAG is a "silent" condition, unless they are aware of visual loss at the point of presentation, POAG patients need to be convinced that there is actually something wrong with them. This paper explores how health care professionals can better understand their patients' response to a diagnosis of POAG.