Possible glaucoma

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Does anyone have experience of glaucoma?

I'm not sure yet that I have this (further tests are due). But I just wondered if anyone else has this condition. If so, how do you manage it? Does it make a huge difference to your day-to-day life, or is it something that is easy to manage?

I'd be really grateful for any answers, as I admit that the idea of having glaucoma is really worrying me.

[ThatVikRinA22]

how old are you?

certain types of glaucoma can be easily managed with daily eye drops - you will however need monitoring and the pressures in your eyes checked regularly. i take it you have been referred to a hospital ophthalmologist? They will advise more on what type of glaucoma you have and its important you follow their instructions on management etc.

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Vicar: thanks for replying. I'm 52. And yes, I've been to see an ophthalmologist. I've been referred to go again - this (the additional referral) is what worries me. If it's just daily eye drops, I think I can manage that. But if it's not just drops - I just wondered what else people with glaucoma might be advised to do.

[ThatVikRinA22]

i am not usually an advocate of googling but you could do to know the definitive diagnosis (ie - what type of glaucoma you have - if you have it)
nhs choices website

What did the ophthalmologist say?

try not to worry - glaucoma can be picked up at a routine eye test before you are even aware of it. Its better that you know and it can be monitored and treated.

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Thanks for replying, Vicar. The ophthalmologist told me last week that there was probably nothing to worry about, but they would monitor me annually. Then yesterday I had a letter saying 'The scan of the optic nerve is rather hard to interpret' and they will call me for another appointment 'soon'. I admit this freaked me out a bit. Hence my wondering about other people living with this condition (if I have it).

[CMOTDibbler]

My friend has a type of glaucoma called normal pressure glaucoma. He's been diagnosed for about 5 years now, and has daily eyedrops. Though he's lost some of his visual field, it doesn't affect his daily life at all, and still drives etc.

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Thanks CMOT. That's quite reassuring. I suppose I've always had a fear of losing my sight (ever since I was a teenager and first had to wear glasses for short sight). But I know that's irrational!

[Melady]

Hi Princess,
I just came across your post and thought I'd let you know what you might expect.

I was referred 3years ago after a higher than normal pressure reading at my normal opticians appointment and family history of glaucoma (I'm 44 now)

You will have a series of tests, field, pressure, visual checks on the back of your eye, none are painful. You might have already had these.

I have annual checks at the hospital because I still have early signs but nothing much has changed so I know how worrying it is.

Try not to worry, I also have abnormal signs on the optic nerve but have been told that I could have been born with this. This could be the case with you.

There are lots of options if it's found early, and the earlier it's found the better because any damage can't be repaired.

From the research I've done drops are the most common treatment but it does depend which type is diagnosed. I think usually if damage is detected treatment is started Straight away but if it's just suspected regular checks are carried out to look for changes.

When I was first referred I flew into a complete panic and googled everything til I was sure I was going to go blind overnight, but I didn't! So as I said try not to worry and have your questions ready when you go to your next appointment.

There are some other good websites, try Glaucoma UK.

Good luck x

[chipmonkey]

Princess, if you are diagnosed with glaucoma, the most likely possibility is that you will be given eye drops to use once or twice a day. And the most likely outcome of this is that this will control the glaucoma and that your visual field will be preserved.
In some cases, a minor procedure is done, where a tiny hole is lasered at the edge of the iris to reduce pressure but only small minority of the patients I see who have glaucoma end up having this one.
These days, glaucoma is only really likely to cause problems if not diagnosed early enough or if the patient is non-compliant about taking their drops. Neither of which apply to you!
Best of luck with this, I know how worrying it is.

[magso]

As Melady found having an unusual shaped appearance of the optic disc (optic nerve) can made picking up the first signs of glaucoma tricky, so may need monitoring to decide if you have glaucoma - or not. Some ophthalmologists specialise in glaucoma, so it might be you get to see a glaucoma specialist, or the clinic maybe just want to see if things have changed. It may even be that the scan itself was not clear due to technical difficulties. I know its hard not to worry so good luck.

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Thank you very much, Melady, chipmonkey and magso. I've only just seen your posts.

You are all really reassuring. I have had the field tests, etc., and have also been told I have thick corneas, which apparently bumps up the pressure reading, but it was the remark about the optic nerve that worried me. So it's good to see there could be non-sinister reasons for this!

My next appointment isn't till July, so I guess they don't think I'm in urgent need of attention.

I really do appreciate the kindness of everyone who's taken the time to reply.

[chipmonkey]

Thick corners are good though ! thick corners are good though It.Re it redthick corners corners are good though. It reduces means the overall risk of glaucoma is reduced.

[chipmonkey]

Stupid phone !

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Bless you, chipmonkey - I know what you (and your damn phone) are trying to say!

[chipmonkey]

LOL! I have a cheap android phone which replaces the lovely android phone which was stolen from me. It has this weird predictive text and not only that, when I am on the MN app, I can't see what I'm typing till after I've posted1