Glaucoma

[Dollie]

Anyone suffer from this please - and if so, how has it affected your eyesight and your life in general. TIA

[Bruizedapple]

Dollie - I do, which is a bit rubbish for a 30 year old man! Mine is casued by cells in the coloured part of my eye flaking off and blocking up the drainage system of my eyes.

This has increased internal optical pressure (IOP) which has damaged my optic nerves. Unfortunately mine wasn't picked up for a long time and only got diagnosed last year, by which time my pressures had risen to a high level. The damage to my right eye is very severe and my treatment is focused on reducing my pressure and saving my left eye.

I use two sets of drops three times a day, have regular 3 monthly check ups and have had some laser surgery to create holes in my iris and hopefully stop the cells flaking off.

I've lost a lot of my peripheral vision, especially in my right eye, but my left eye has been compensating for it. If my drops dont bring my pressure down further then I might have to go for some drastic surgey which will involve shunts being attached to the back of my eyeball to relieve pressure.

In terms of how it affects my life - I was terrified when first diagnosed, but have calmed down significantly and have discovered I know several people who are blind in one eye and function normally (apart from if you throw something for them to catch!)

I'm not an expert by any means but if I can be of any help let me know

C

[Dollie]

Hello there bruizedapple - thanks ever so for your reply. I am not sure yet if I have got the condition. I went to opticians last year for eye and contact lens tests and he said my pressure was raised in left eye. Should have been under 21 but mine was 24. He did a field vision test which was normal. He asked me to return in a years time which was last week. This time the pressure in my left eye had risen to 28 and my right eye had risen to 24 - just out of the normal range. Again he did field vision test which was fine. He says he will have to do a more in-depth test before referring me to eye clinic. He says it could be glaucoma and if so needs sorting quickly. Obviously I feel anxious but as I'm not sure what is wrong just yet - so I suppose I will have to wait and see.
You are kind in giving me so much information about your condition and I'm grateful to you - I wish you well and if I have anything to ask you further i will post here again if that is ok with you.
Many thanks. Doll xx

[Bruizedapple]

Well, if it is glaucoma, its been caught and can be easily managed, which can only be a good thing. Its also a good sign that your field tests were good, suggests no damage to you sight (again, great news!)

I've been using a website called www.krukenbergs-spindle.co.uk which has a lot of information on pigment disperal syndrome and a really useful bulletin board. Have a look at it.

No worries about emailing again, let me know how the further investigation goes

C

[Birty]

I have glaucoma in one eye. They started noticing the damage a few years ago, but it is very limited. No obvious loss of vision at the moment. I have drops I take once per day, and that has kept the pressure down to acceptable levels.
I do feel I am a little more sensitive to sunlight, but overall it has had no impacts on my day-to-day life.

[Dollie]

thank you Birty for that reassurance.

[Dollie]

Well had some good news at my test yesterday. Both eyes were tested for pressure and both were reduced to 20 this time, which the optician says is just within normal range. He cannot offer any explanation as to why my eyes have suddenly had this reduction in pressure but will monitor me every six months for a while. Also my field vision test was normal, so thats good news.
Thank you guys for all your comments and reassurances.
Doll x

[Bruizedapple]

Great news Dollie!!! My next appointment is next wek, lets hope my results are as good!!

C