Glaucoma diagnosis

I certainly do not know all ths ins and outs.
But noone else has replied yet so thought I would.

Of the 3 people I know, it isnt good.
One I dont know very well. It either hasnt progressed much or she is coping.

The other two - not good.
Both from the same family.
One went blind, but could see vague things sometimes.
The other person, it has advanced enough that she needs someone to read her post for her.

Sorry it is not better news.

My sister has glaucoma and I have been worried in case I get it. We decided to go private to get advice and help quickly. My pressures were up, mainly because I have thick lenses. However the eye man said he could give me laser treatment to reduce the pressure. It was completely painless and only took half an hour. He now checks my eye pressures yearly and my optician does also, so I fact one or the other does the pressure test 6 monthly.

I can’t remember the exact cost but the first meeting and the procedure was in total under £500.

I am very pleased with the results.

I am sure this can be done on the nhs but I just wanted to do everything quickly.

My SIL has had laser surgery and it has been very successful.

DH had Trabeculectomy (Glaucoma Drainage) Surgery 12 weeks ago. This has also helped to lower the pressure in his eye to single figures.

The Glaucoma Uk website has a lot of useful information as does the Moorfields Hospital website.

Glaucoma Uk have a helpline, which you can contact by phone or email, and they’re very helpful.

My sister has drops which are successfully treating her glaucoma.

I have been treated with drops for glaucoma for some years and the pressure has decreased.

My late Mum was treated successfully with drops which saved her sight. The ideal situation is one where there is an early diagnosis as a result of regular eye tests. My Grandfather had undiagnosed Glaucoma, his sight eventually failed and he died as a result of a fall downstairs when he broke his neck.

My Mother was told to have regular check ups due to this family connection. She did and was successfully treated. Her Sister (who always knew best) thought that the whole 'family risk' was a nonsense (!!) and she ultimately became blind.

When I lived in England, a long time ago, I was regularly tested at the Opticians and so, ultimately, were my children. This has continued here in France. It's yet another health problem which will benefit from professional advice, early action and if appropriate, a treatment plan. Hope that your friend, Rosiebee, doesn't shy away from seeking help as soon as is possible. Time is of the essence if she wants to protect her sight and not worry about the future.

Thank you for all replies. I shall relay them to my friend who I'm sure will be somewhat reassured that things can get better with treatment.

High eye pressure (Ocular Hypertension) is not the same as Glaucoma, and some professionals use the terms interchangeably. Has your friend definitely been diagnosed with Glaucoma by a consultant at the eye hospital? The reason I ask is that OH does not have to be reported to DVLA whereas Glaucoma (where there is already sight loss) does.

Anyway, as to progression of the disease, this was addressed at the latest Glaucoma UK Webinar. For some people, their OH stays well-controlled by eyedrops. For others, they will need MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery) such as laser treatment. It is thought to have a 70% success rate. A smaller percentage will go on to experience sight loss and will need more invasive surgery such as a traceculectomy or a shunt. At this stage, your friend will not know, it is more as it unfolds.

A friend of mine has had Glaucoma for about forty years - it is in the family so he was diagnosed early and has regular injections and laser treatment but he is still driving with no problems. I think early treatment is very important.

My son was diagnosed in his 40s, but declined the lazer treatment.

He puts drops in his eyes each evening, is checked six monthly, and the drops are keeping the levels even.

His eyesight is fine, he only uses glasses for driving.

I have glaucoma and use drops every night. I did have laser treatment to one eye but that was for a sub retinal occlusion: it was fine, absolutely painless and I only wish I could have it for the other eye because the alternative has been injections, which don't get any easier. I also have cataracts and a consultant said he wouldn't touch my eyes because of the other complications. I know my left eye is getting worse and it's worrying... Good luck to your friend

My glaucoma was diagnosed nearly 20 years ago when I was in my late 50s. Inspite of a trabeculectomy and drops I’ve lost some field of vision in my right eye. I also have glaucoma in my left eye where I’ve had a trabeculectomy and no longer use drops. There’s no significant loss of vision in that eye. I had to inform the DVLA and take the required field test which I passed so I am still able to drive. These days people who receive treatment don’t lose their sight entirely and it’s a gradually progressing condition you learn to live with. For help and support I would recommend the Health Unlocked website group which is linked to the National Glaucoma Association.

I had high pressure in both eyes 30+ years ago duagnosed after an eye test for pressure rexommended as my father had glaucoma.
Since then the pressure has been kept down by nightly eye drops and annual hospital check ups
Prssure increased last year to the high 20s and the hospital changed the eye drops to Ganfort and I had NHS laser treatment in both eyes which has been successful. I have a hospital appt next month and my cataracts will be discussed. The cataracts have increased in thickness probably hastened by chemotherapy 3 years ago.
The main thing for your friend to take on board is she must do the drops every single night and make sure the drops go in properly....I lie down on the bed to do mine.and I now do mine in the morning which I find easier. And she must have regular check ups. I have an annual hospital one and 6 months later an optician one.
So far I have not lost any sight and still drive, although I have declared it on the recent Driving licence renewal and the optician says my driving sight is fine..with glasses.
The Glaucoma charity website is very helpful.

I was diagnosed with glaucoma last year and prescribed nightly Latanoprost drops. At a recent checkup at the Ophthalmology Department, I was pleased to be told my pressures have stabilised. On the advice of my optician, I use moisturising drops regularly during the day. I’m 75 and still drive.

Unless your friend has information other than the raised ocular pressure being in the 20s, she may be worrying more than necessary. I had raised pressure diagnosed about 10 years ago. It was kept at between 18 and 21 with the use of eye drops but, in my case, I was told that cataract surgery would probably resole the pressure - which it has, though I still use drops.
My brother was diagnosed with glaucoma about 2 years ago as an emergency - he had raised pressure of 24 and over 40, and had lost a small amount of sight in one eye. He had laser surgery immediately and his pressures are now about 14 and he continues to use eye drops. He has also now had cataract surgery which caused those pressures to drop from the post laser surgery of 16. Incidentally, my brother did inform the DVLA but after the success of the laser surgery he did not stop driving. In our the glaucoma is genetic; our grandmother lost her sight 60 years ago, and two aunts 20 years ago. Treatment has improved greatly. Apologies for my long reply.

Dear Rosiebee, I have had Glaucoma for some time now and was only at the Glaucoma Clinic yesterday. I’ve also had two Central Retinal Vein Oclusions. I take 2 types of eye drops three times a day and have had eye injections for over two years but that is to treat the CRVO (above), so you shouldn’t need them. Apart from that I’m absolutely fine, out all day and every day, swimming, and just about to go abroad on my own. So nothing for you to worry about. If you are worried and want to talk with me, I would be only too pleased for you to private message me. All the best.

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I’m just adding a PS Rosiebee to you as I’ve just read a couple of scary replies, which, in my opinion are OTT. I lost 40% of my sight but because of Central Retinal Vein Oclusion NOT Glaucoma, and the hospital have managed to get it back. Also, in my opinion there is no need to pay £500 or indeed any amount privately, unless you want to. Don’t let people frighten you, there is nothing to be frightened of!

My dh has Glaucoma in both eyes. He has lost 65% of his sight in his right eye but this isn't all caused by the Glaucoma. His vision wasn't great in the first place and he's worn spectacles from being a child. He has be sent for the specified sight tests for driving by the DVLA and so far he is still considered ok to drive. He now has cataracts in both eyes and has been put down for urgent treatment for this in his right eye. So this is imminent. We did ask if this would increase his vision percentage but was told no ...that 65% has gone forever. I know the cataract op does help in some way though not totally clear how if that vision is now lost. I think, from other friends experiences, it will help his night time driving.

One more last PS. I had my eye lazered which brought the pressure right down.

My late FiL had glaucoma but I don't think he lost any sight. He had eye drops for many years. Regular visits to an optician should provide early diagnosis then treatment will be offered. My ex is obviously more at risk as his dad had it, but I get regular eye tests too.

I have had it for 25 years treated by drops alone but in only one eye . I had to tell DVLA and have to have a field test every 3 years at a designated opticians . I am over 70 by the way and complicated by also being type 2 diabetic on insulin which is also notifiable to DVLA . I am just waiting to see if I am OK to drive as my 3 years are up it is a worry .

Thanks again to everyone. At least when I see my friend again, I can relay lots of positive experiences. Love Gransnet.

My experience ,living in Wales, has not been good. It took 7 referrals for glaucoma over 3 years before I saw an eye surgeon . I was then prescribed eye drops and was told I would have an appointment in 3 months. This turned out to be 12 months and by that time my glaucoma had got to the point where laser surgery would not help.
A week later I had trabeculectomy on my left eye. I have now finished my use of eye drops and have an appointment in two days with the surgeon. As is typical of the NHS in wales a date for this appointment did not appear and I had to chase the surgeons secretary for this appointment.

Sight in my left eye is still not good but if it stays as it is I can cope with that,