Glaucoma - anyone have experience with this disease?

[UnatcoAgent]

I went to see the eye doctor this morning, he said that the pressure in my right eye is at level 23 (21 is normal) but the difference in my left eye is fairly large, as the left on is at 16.

He's booked me for a follow up appointment in 3 months to check it again, after saying that you can have high pressure for a few days and it's nothing, but this has got me immediately scared and stressed out.

I asked him if it was something to worry about and he said 9/10 times it's nothing, but the pressure difference is enough to have him question what's going on.

Anyone have experience with Glaucoma? I'm wondering what to expect if the pressure is not lower in 3 months.

Edit - also I'm a healthy 23yr old, without a family history of glaucoma.

Update --------------

OK well an update:

I went to another clinic this morning, and asked if I could simply have the pressure in my eyes checked. The technician looked at my funny and said flat out "umm why?" and I explained my situation.

She then said "come with me" and took me straight in and checked the pressure right then, the first reading came out as 20 in the left and 20 in the right, I then asked her to check it again and both were 18. The important thing being that they were both under 21 and both the same pressure, which is what my eye history has been, both eyes the same pressure until yesterday.

So I'm not as worried now, she said it could just be fluke thing, and that if the doctor yesterday was worried he would have taken the pressure himself, but that I should still go for the follow up. I'm not sure why the pressure changed so dramatically from yesterday, or why it was different each time she took it today, but this is quite reassuring either way. Thanks to all those who have responded with their support and personal accounts!

 

[darkxshade]

expect to get high!

 

[Vehemence]

Smoookkee weeeed!

 

[insect9]

Only experience I've had is my dog has it. His pressure was 60 in one eye and 45 in the other. He lost the eye that was 60, but with medication the pressure in his other dropped to 12 in two weeks. Not much help, as human and dog eyes are completely different, but thats my experience with it.

 

[sdifox]

Monitor it closely. You may end up having to use cosopt http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_i...and_name_id=1534&rot=4 to control the pressure. It is no laughing matter. Do a vision field test to see if any damage has already occurred.
Glaucoma = squeezing your optical receptors to death. If not controlled, you will have spots where you can't see.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Monitor it closely. You may end up having to use cosopt http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_i...and_name_id=1534&rot=4 to control the pressure. It is no laughing matter. Do a vision field test to see if any damage has already occurred.
Glaucoma = squeezing your optical receptors to death. If not controlled, you will have spots where you can't see.

He said I'd be doing a field vision test in 3 months when I go back, so we'll see then. I've never noticed anything - thanks for the drug link.

 

[lizardth]

My mom had the laser treatment for it in both eyes and it worked like a dream! Doesn't have to worry about any drops, it lasts as long as 6 years, and you can get it re-treated the same way when the pressure starts to build back up.

 

[DrawninwarD]

My dad has glaucoma. You're only 23 and you have no history of glaucoma in your family, so you should be fine. Glaucoma totally sucks. You need medication for the rest of your life. Eyedrops every day.

 

[kranky]

9 out of 10 times it's nothing. Like the man said.

Don't stress out, there's a 90% chance you're doing it over nothing.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: sdifox
Monitor it closely. You may end up having to use cosopt http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_i...and_name_id=1534&rot=4 to control the pressure. It is no laughing matter. Do a vision field test to see if any damage has already occurred.
Glaucoma = squeezing your optical receptors to death. If not controlled, you will have spots where you can't see.

He said I'd be doing a field vision test in 3 months when I go back, so we'll see then. I've never noticed anything - thanks for the drug link.

Does your family have a history of high blood pressure or diabetes? Bad combination with Glaucoma.

My mom has Glaucoma and that means I am in high risk group. My father's side has history of Glaucoma. I am guessing I'll end up with both.

Definitely go back earlier if you experience discomfort, blurriness or pain.


I think there is a newer (don't know if it is better) drug than Cosopt out, just can't remember the name. Hope you don't need this shit since they are expensive. Something like 1 dollar per drop.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: sdifox
Monitor it closely. You may end up having to use cosopt http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_i...and_name_id=1534&rot=4 to control the pressure. It is no laughing matter. Do a vision field test to see if any damage has already occurred.
Glaucoma = squeezing your optical receptors to death. If not controlled, you will have spots where you can't see.

He said I'd be doing a field vision test in 3 months when I go back, so we'll see then. I've never noticed anything - thanks for the drug link.

Does your family have a history of high blood pressure or diabetes? Bad combination with Glaucoma.

My mom has Glaucoma and that means I am in high risk group. My father's side has history of Glaucoma. I am guessing I'll end up with both.

Definitely go back earlier if you experience discomfort, blurriness or pain.


I think there is a newer (don't know if it is better) drug than Cosopt out, just can't remember the name. Hope you don't need this shit since they are expensive. Something like 1 dollar per drop.

There is a history of both high blood pressure and diabetes, I'm fine for the blood pressure and I had my blood sugar tested a few months ago without a call back.

I'll be on the lookout for any discomfort or pain for sure, thanks for the warning.

I went to see the same doctor about 10 months ago, and my eye pressure was fine then, so if it is glaucoma the pressure is not very high and it's only been there for under a year, mildly comforting... thanks for the support guys! I feel better.

I have the doctor calling me back at 2 just to discuss if there's anything I can do in the mean time, I was so shocked I didn't really ask him any questions.

 

[LordUnum]

My father has glaucoma. Prior to him being diagnosed, I had read a little about the condition on those charts they have at the optometrist's office and thought about how horrible it'd be to lose nearly all my eyesight. It hasn't been anywhere near that bad with my father, fortunately. Since being diagnosed ~13 years ago, he's taken Trusopt, Azopt, and lately has switched to Timolol which is easier on his eyes. He just has to remember to put the drops in 2-3 times a day, and having his eyes occasionally re-checked and that's about it as far as treating glaucoma. His eyesight hasn't noticeably degraded in any way over these past 13 years or so, aside from the entirely unrelated slightly worse nearsightedness. You should be just fine, too, particularly as it looks like they'd be catching it very early on.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: LordUnum
My father has glaucoma. Prior to him being diagnosed, I had read a little about the condition on those charts they have at the optometrist's office and thought about how horrible it'd be to lose nearly all my eyesight. It hasn't been anywhere near that bad with my father, fortunately. Since being diagnosed ~13 years ago, he's taken Trusopt, Azopt, and lately has switched to Timolol which is easier on his eyes. He just has to remember to put the drops in 2-3 times a day, and having his eyes occasionally re-checked and that's about it as far as treating glaucoma. His eyesight hasn't noticeably degraded in any way over these past 13 years or so, aside from the entirely unrelated slightly worse nearsightedness. You should be just fine, too, particularly as it looks like they'd be catching it very early on.

OK that is good to know... I'm trying to take this as a big wake up call for my health (I'm also currently going through massive anxiety attacks, not good timing) because I work full time but also contract to two other companies. I just wrote one of them saying my services are done, and I'll contact the other company later today.

I've never had to deal with any serious medical issue so you can appreciate how terrifying just the risk of this is, I appreciate the posts immensely!

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Sabot

There is a history of both high blood pressure and diabetes, I'm fine for the blood pressure and I had my blood sugar tested a few months ago without a call back.

I'll be on the lookout for any discomfort or pain for sure, thanks for the warning.

I went to see the same doctor about 10 months ago, and my eye pressure was fine then, so if it is glaucoma the pressure is not very high and it's only been there for under a year, mildly comforting... thanks for the support guys! I feel better.

I have the doctor calling me back at 2 just to discuss if there's anything I can do in the mean time, I was so shocked I didn't really ask him any questions.

Stop abusing your eyes The old "Don't look at porn, it will make you go blind" has some merit

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Sabot

There is a history of both high blood pressure and diabetes, I'm fine for the blood pressure and I had my blood sugar tested a few months ago without a call back.

I'll be on the lookout for any discomfort or pain for sure, thanks for the warning.

I went to see the same doctor about 10 months ago, and my eye pressure was fine then, so if it is glaucoma the pressure is not very high and it's only been there for under a year, mildly comforting... thanks for the support guys! I feel better.

I have the doctor calling me back at 2 just to discuss if there's anything I can do in the mean time, I was so shocked I didn't really ask him any questions.

Stop abusing your eyes The old "Don't look at porn, it will make you go blind" has some merit

Hah I'll have to switch back to mags!

 

[Q]

My grandfather has glaucoma and has had it for a long time. He's not blind or anything, so don't worry. He just has eyedrops he has to put in everyday.

 

[CPA]

Damn, I thought this thread was going to be about Mexican food.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: CPA
Damn, I thought this thread was going to be about Mexican food.

No, not guacamole unfortunetly

 

[Bibble]

I'm going in next week for some more tests to see if I have glaucoma. I just switched eye doctors and the new one said my pressure was fine but my nerves looked messed up so she's having me checked out. Between no one in my family having glaucoma and my old eye doctor never saying anything I'm pretty sure I'm fine.

Let's hope we're okay!

 

[Cobalt]

Just smoke weed, better than eyedrops.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: cobalt
Just smoke weed, better than eyedrops.

Didn't they disprove that?

 

[Paperdoc]

My father had glaucoma apparently undetected until a major pain attack, and he lost one eye from that. Today things are MUCH better. I'm in my 60's, and over a decade ago during a normal eye check to get a new set of glasses, the optometrist said he saw odd signs and referred me to an ophthalmologist for careful checking. Got that done, no big deal, but kept on getting regular checks in view of family history. Eventually the doc decided my eyeball pressures were getting consistently higher than he liked and put me on once-a-day eyedrops. I've used both Travatan and Xalatan. Both work fine and keep my pressures under good control, with doctor checks about once a year or maybe 8 months. No pain, no sight loss, etc for a long time, no sign of it getting worse. Your doctor took a wise approach not to rush into anything in a panic. As he / she said, sometimes high pressure is a fluke and means nothing until it is persistent. So just get the tests done as recommended and you may need little more than yearly (or less) re-checks. But even treatment with drops is no problem and works well.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: sdifox
Monitor it closely. You may end up having to use cosopt http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_i...and_name_id=1534&rot=4 to control the pressure. It is no laughing matter. Do a vision field test to see if any damage has already occurred.
Glaucoma = squeezing your optical receptors to death. If not controlled, you will have spots where you can't see.

He said I'd be doing a field vision test in 3 months when I go back, so we'll see then. I've never noticed anything - thanks for the drug link.

Does your family have a history of high blood pressure or diabetes? Bad combination with Glaucoma.

My mom has Glaucoma and that means I am in high risk group. My father's side has history of Glaucoma. I am guessing I'll end up with both.

Definitely go back earlier if you experience discomfort, blurriness or pain.


I think there is a newer (don't know if it is better) drug than Cosopt out, just can't remember the name. Hope you don't need this shit since they are expensive. Something like 1 dollar per drop.

AFAIK, Cosopt is still the best.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: CPA
Damn, I thought this thread was going to be about Mexican food.

Remind me not to go to your mexican restaurant... Guacamole with eyeballs...

 

[sdifox]

From what I understood (many doctor's visit with mom on this one), Glaucoma is eseentially caused clog. Drainage from the eye is not happening as fast as the ingress of whatever goes into the eyeball. That builds up pressure and that kills ocular receptors. With my mom, they tried to improve drainage with a surgery, worked for a while but it got clogged up again. She has like 25% vision from 1 and 60% from the other.

Good thing she never drove.