Glaucoma

[Caretaker]

Anyone have it?

I've been diagnosed with chronic glaucoma and have some loss of peripheral vision in my left eye. Diagnosed a few months ago and have been on eye drops since. Had a session with an eye specialist today and he's putting me on other drops and I've to go for some sort of laser test next week and then return to the eye guy in November.

Apparently 5% of the population over 65 have it. From what I read any sight loss can't be restored but with treatment further loss can be minimised.

[Longjohn ★]

I have an appointment Monday morning at 8am, they do medical testing on my eyes and attach a microscope to my eyeball to examine the optic nerve. My pressure in my eyes is normal but they don't like the looks of the nerve, said it looks like glaucoma. They have me in for this testing every six months. They also do some kind of computer testing that is weird.

[Caretaker]

4 minutes ago, Longjohn said:

I have an appointment Monday morning at 8am, they do medical testing on my eyes and attach a microscope to my eyeball to examine the optic nerve. My pressure in my eyes is normal but they don't like the looks of the nerve, said it looks like glaucoma. They have me in for this testing every six months. They also do some kind of computer testing that is weird.

I'm going for that test in the laser lab Monday morning also. That microscope in the eyeball check sounds like one of the things I had earlier today, it affected my sight (temporarily)so badly I had to walk my bicycle home from the hospital. Fortunately I live just about a km away.

[Longjohn ★]

They let me drive home with dark glasses. I am surprised because it is really difficult to see. I have to drive about twelve miles. I'll bet if they could see what I am seeing they would require someone to transport me.

[Dirtyhip]

sorry. That is in my family. 

[tybeegb]

I had been going to the eye doctor regularly since I retired.  This doctor takes a really strong light and shines it in your eyes for what seems like a long time while he looks at the inside of your eyeball.  Then I started to see red blotches at night when I looked at my alarm clocks display.    I told him I didn't like that but he didn't seem to care.  He cancelled my appointment last year and said to reschedule but I think I might find another doctor. 

And every time I went he did the same battery of tests with those weird machines and did not see anything wrong.     

[petitepedal ★]

My bike buddy has it..but he has also had possibly a stroke or something that messed his vision..I don't think he was good with using the drops when first diagnosed... he has very little vision left 

He does still ride his bikes..but he has taken some nasty falls on and off the bike. 

[Caretaker]

43 minutes ago, petitepedal said:

My bike buddy has it..but he has also had possibly a stroke or something that messed his vision..I don't think he was good with using the drops when first diagnosed... he has very little vision left 

He does still ride his bikes..but he has taken some nasty falls on and off the bike. 

Thankfully I'm not that bad and hopefully never will be.

I'd never have been diagnosed if it weren't for a free eye test for diabetic retinopathy I had due to being pre-diabetic which turned up negative. My sight is generally good and only wear glasses when reading.

[Digital_photog ★]

I've been on drops for 5 years.  Developed reactions to many of the drops. Now on the last one available for 3 years and it is still working but is very expensive.  Had laser surgery on both eyes.  Dr. says if this drop quits working I will need more surgery.  It is controlled for now.

[Kirby]

Glad they caught it early and that there are ways to prevent it from progressing!

[groupw]

My parents and grandparents were fine. My mom's youngest sister has some variation of glaucoma. She was only in mid 50's when it affected her. Otherwise, it looks like I can plan on cataract surgery in about 15 years or so. 

[maddmaxx ★]

2 hours ago, Digital_photog said:

I've been on drops for 5 years.  Developed reactions to many of the drops. Now on the last one available for 3 years and it is still working but is very expensive.  Had laser surgery on both eyes.  Dr. says if this drop quits working I will need more surgery.  It is controlled for now.

I've had laser surgery but not for glaucoma.  My retinas keep separating and when they tear they need to be spot welded back in place.  764 spot welds in my left eye.  Owie.

I suppose that any upside to glaucoma would be the legal pot prescription if you're into that.