Glaucoma??

[krcit]

Went to the eye Dr yesterday to get a new contact prescription and they told me that my eye pressure was higher than last time(maybe 2 years ago) She said it could just be the machine but that I need to go to the opthamologist and get checked for glaucoma I will call Monday for an appointment but can anyone reassure me in the meantime. I'm 42 with no family history, no diabetes.

 

[MIGrandma]

I "thought" I had glaucoma. I have had high pressure readings for years, maybe 15 or so, can't really remember for sure. I used to work part-time for an opthalmologist and he would check them for free, I sure do miss that, ha ha!

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 8 years ago, so started seeing an opthalmologist (normally just went to an optometrist for eye exams) and he put me on Xalatan for the pressure and talked about glaucoma but never really came out and said I had it. He put me on another drops (brimonodine) a year or two ago which I was using in the morning, then the other at night.

I see a different doctor now, and my pressures were 16 and 18 and he wanted me to have a test to determine the thickness of my corneas as he said that could give a false reading for the pressure. So I had that test done and he called and said I have unusually thick corneas, and has had me off the eye drops for two weeks. I go back Monday to check the pressure, and will talk more about this with him then. I would love to get off the drops.

I know that with glaucoma you can lose the peripheral vision if it goes untreated. I have not lost any of my peripheral vision over the years.

I can understand you being nervous, but I think glaucoma is very treatable, if you even do have it. Try not to worry.

 

[krcit]

Thanks for the reply!! Makes me feel better. I will go to the doctor and see what the deal is.

 

[bianca]

I'm in about the same position as you are, but just a few weeks ahead of you. Like you, I went in for regular eye exam and was then referred to opthamologist. Just had my appt. w/her last week and while there is currently no damage to my vision, I am scheduled for 2 more appts. w/testing facilities that take photos of the eye. She said that these are just baseline photos for future reference. Regardless, I have to see her again in a couple of months after all the photos are taken to discuss drops vs. laser surgery. Since I have only seen her once and don't yet have a diagnosis of glaucoma, I find it kind of hard to wrap my head around potential eye surgery. To me, it certainly seems premature of her to mention these courses of treatment without all the facts. Would like to hear opinions of others who may have had it. BTW, my IOP's were 19 and 20.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you have high pressures you need to see an ophthalmologist every yr to keep a monitor on your eye pressures.

Honestly, you can get damage at low pressures as well as high. My sister and I have had high pressures for 20+yrs.

Key is to get reg. checks up with an office you trust and can go back if you have issues. Good Luck!

 

[MIGrandma]

Adding to my previous post,

When I first started using the Xalatan drops he told me I wouldn't have to use them if I had laser surgery. That petrifies me (since you have to be awake for it) so I told him I'd just keep using the drops.

 

[GalDisney]

many years ago, i was around 21 or so i had gone to a routine eye exam and was routinely tested gor glaucoma, as optometrists do... He said i had a high reading and sent me to an optjomologist.. That dr did a bunch of tests and said i had glaucoma (at 21?/) anyway i took medds for i t yada yada..went back for regular appts.. eventually forgot about them saying i had glaucoma and didnt follow up with the course of tratment..i have an eye exam eevry yr or so and i havent had any hi pressure or loss of vision so apparently I didnt have glaucoma ...GET CHECK OUT BUT IT MAY ALSO BE NOTHING..