Glaucoma

Yes Santababy A bit of perspective is what I could have done with last year. All I could think about was losing my sight and trying to imagine what it would be like. I kept reminding my self that a lot of people have to deal with having cancer but it didn't make me feel any better. Now it does feel much more like an annoying health issue that just has to be dealt with. As others have said, now you are being treated you are unlikely to go blind, just as I have been telling myself

Thanks Wilma and Grandma2213 etc, such reassuring comments have made me get this into perspective.

There's nothing like having a conversation with sensible women to make you feel better. So glad I discovered Gransnet. It's great to be able to contact others in this way. I just wish my Mum had had the same ability.

My FiL is still driving at 81 and he gets checked every year without fail because he doesn't want to lose his licence. He's not bad enough for laser treatment, but will have it if it means he can continue to drive. He lives on his own now, so he was worried when he was first diagnosed, but now it's just another health thing to cope with.

My friend's father had the laser treatment in November and was so impressed by how easy it was that he told everybody all the details when they asked how he was! . He'd bought a brand new car last year and only drove it for a few months before deciding not to drive anymore. We think he must have had a scare when he was driving, but he never said anything. He's been back driving since before Christmas and is now a happy bunny.

I know there's no point in saying don't worry, but hopefully these posts will help you feel a little bit better.

Santababy I was diagnosed with glaucoma over 15 years ago by Boots Opticians at a regular eye test and was immediately referred to an opthamologist who congratulated them on spotting it at such an early stage. I have used eye drops once a day since then and it has not deteriorated at all. I also developed macular degeneration about 10 years ago which left me with a tiny kink or blank spot in the vision in my right eye. This also remained stable. I am now 68 and have annual checks at the hospital.

Last year I needed surgery for a macular repair (unrelated to the other conditions) and was amazed to find that my eye pressures were in the normal range even the day after the operation so obviously the eye drops have done their job!! I am now waiting for a cataract operation but I am told most people of a certain age develop cataracts of some sort.

My grandfather went blind from glaucoma and all his descendants have carefully monitored themselves, and as Nelliemoser says we get free eye tests over 40 years old.

I hope this reassures you a little. Now you have been diagnosed and, I assume, being treated there is little or no more likelihood of you going blind. Try not to worry.

Useful advice from everyone. Still shocked at diagnosis and wondering how life would be in a very rural area if unable to drive. I am sure I am worrying too soon but still....

You can always pay for a yearly one- not expensive really. As we are no longer elegible for NHS treatment- we always pay for hours- money very well spent.

My poor mum became totally blind as opticians here do not perform the pressure test, field of vision and back of the eye examination. Tragic.

She ended up with cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration- and nothing could be done. I was so sad, and furious too.

The rules have changed in this country as I discovered last 0ctober when I routinely rang to make an appointment for my annual eye test to discover that the Government has decided that it should be every 2 years. The way around that is to say that you are certain that your sight has changed. I have Macular degeneration as well as Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy and I knew that my sight had worsened so I received a free test. If one does not cause blindness, the other definitely will! I also have cataracts so it will soon be a full house like bingo.

Yes Granjura I do agree with that. I was having regular eye checks every 2 years so I was shocked to find that damage had already been done. I was surprised at how many of my friends hadn't had a check for years thinking that if their glasses were ok there was no need. Needless to say I have told them all how important this is.

So sorry to hear that Santababy. With treatment they should be able to stop in its steps- thank goodness you found out early enough.

But when was you last full eye test? We both have 1 at least once a year, and if possible every 6 th months- It is unsual to go from normal sight to glaucoma in such a short time.

Only saying this to remind EVERYONE over the age of 55 approx to have a full eye test at least every year. The risks of not doing so are just not worth it.

I have a bad family history of Glaucoma. It's through all the descendents of my MGM.
At the moment it is called "normal tension glaucoma" where although the eye pressure is not exceptionally high there are signs of changes in the back of the eye where the optic nerve goes.

I have been on eye drops for quite a long time now which. which is the standard treatment it is monitored annually.

I think if you have diagnosed Glaucoma your children can get free eye tests from the age of 40. Worth checking out.

When I had my cataracts dealt with last year, my consultant told me that in the States hey are seriously considering replacing lenses in the eyes of those with glaucoma, because it can ease the problem (more room in they eye or something,)

Glad it helped. My consultant seemed very blunt when he told me the news. I asked would I go blind and he replied "Thats my job"! Of course I had wanted him to say no. At that point I really didn't want to go back again but now I have complete faith in him. I think yours meant that it would take 12 years if left untreated. I wish I had gone onto Gransnet at the time but I was so scared I couldn't even type the word! Now writing this I realize how far I have come since then.
By coincidence as I was replying to you the phone rang. It was the hospital to say that they had a cancellation and they can do my first cataract on Monday. That is another story but he is going to try and widen the angle at the same time so there are things they can do.
Please keep in touch. I'd like to know how you get on.

Grandma60, you have absolutely no idea how reassuring it is to read your post.

I have been feeling very scared and alone. So glad you are feeling so much better a year on. The laser treatment sounds horrible but again your comments are very comforting. The consultant I saw yesterday was only doing his job but his comment of " it can take 10 or 12 years before you become blind" was hardly helpful as I am 63 next month! Perhaps he thought 75 year olds wouldn't mind about losing their sight.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me your experience. I will certainly try and resist searching for info on the Internet. Good advice.

Santababy This is exactly what happened to me about a year ago. Picked up at the optician and confirmed by an ophthalmologist soon afterwards. I also have a loss of some peripheral vision and also a little central vision in one eye although I wouldn't have known that. It is a shock isn't it? I had nightmares about going blind.. Since then I have had laser irridotomies in both eyes. (painless laser surgery to help with eye drainage). The thought of that was terrifying but there really was nothing to it. I use prescribed eye drops three times a day and my eye pressures are within normal levels although you may find it takes a bit of experimenting for the consultant to find the right ones for you. Do be careful of browsing the internet. A lot of what you find is very technical,meant for medical experts. Do try to relax. Not easy I know. A year on have become much more excepting about it and the thought of it isn't taking over my life as it was.