Glaucoma

[volshooter]

Anyone else afflicted with this disease?
I was warned 8 years ago to be checked, didn't do it.
Now I have been checked and have a lot of damage. It is on me as I did not follow DR,s advice.
It has come home to roost.
Pressure numbers are +27, for those in the know.
My dumb behind did nothing at first, I thought they just wanted more test/money.
Right eye has significant damage. I am under treatment but today I was unable to focus on tree rats under 100 feet with shooting eye.
I hope they can at least stop the progression. I had problems trying to sight in my last optic mounted rifle.
Any one else?

 

[gramps]

The term is glaucoma. Sorry to hear it. Eye drops, and some oral medications can help. Although a nurse for 46 years, I don't have much experience with glaucoma, except to be screened for it during my diabetic eye exams. Good luck.
gramps

 

[Slenk]

I have had glaucoma for a number of years . Take 3 different eye drops every day . Also take a eye health supplement . My eyes have improved sense I have started taking the supplements . I started with pressures of 30-31 and am now 12-13 . There are surgeries to help also.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Well I'm blind in my right eye due to glaucoma. I had scar tissue due to an injury when I was 7 years old. Glaucoma set in at 50 and I didn't notice it due to being left eye dominate. I think it took about a year to go from 20-40 to blind. Also the pressure was not detected by the Dr. The pressure would build at night. I still have to use the drops to keep the pressure down around 25. Was 45 without drops. Dr said I would eventually have to have it removed if I didn't keep the pressure down.
So I use the drops and an eye vitamin REDS.
Don't mess around with glaucoma it is serious crap.

 

[Slyk Willy]

When I was told I was at 37, I started the drops. I've been in single digits since doing one drop every night. EZ drug to do and I SEE results. (see what I did there?)

 

[RonSwanson]

At 70, I am fortunate to not have glaucoma. However, I have what they call vitreous separation which they say makes me more susceptible to a detached retina. Doctor instructed me to reduce rifle recoil, which led me to replace my beloved Model 70 .30-06 with a Merkel 6.5x55. I figure that handgun recoil won't matter so I have made no changes there.

Doctor also years ago told me to start taking 10mg Lutein and 50 mg Zinc per day. Said that I would see the difference years later in avoiding macular degeneration. No problems yet!

Once had a preacher who said that things have a way of evening out, that as your wife gets old your eyesight gets worse.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I was diagnosed as a "glaucoma suspect" at age 43, and was probably affected way before that but hadn't had an eye exam for quite a while. I am now approaching age 73, and have been under treatment for those intervening 30 years.

I say "glaucoma suspect" as that's what they call you when you have elevated IOP* but no apparent damage or vision loss. Fortunately, I've had good care for all those years, and the eye drop treatment has so far kept my IOP under control. I've gone thru several formulations of eye drops as my doctor attempts to control the IOP with the minimal level of medication. I'm currently on Simbrinza twice daily, and Lumigan once daily in the evening. So far, so good. At last check my IOP was measured at 18 in both eyes and since I have "thick corneas" the actual internal pressure is likely somewhat less.

I see my doctor about every four months these days, and we do a visual field check annually. He also does photography of the inside of my eyeballs to check for changes in my retinas around the optic nerves . . . none so far. I'm very nearsighted, but my vision is corrected to 20/30 both eyes . . . I occasionally test at 20/20.

Everybody should get tested for elevated IOP. The old "air puff" test is long gone and the current testing is painless and non-threatening. There are no noticeable early symptoms to this condition. If it gets so advanced that you actually notice a dimming/diminishing field of vision, the damage is done. There is NO reversal, no cure.

*IOP = Intra-ocular pressure . . . the liquid pressure inside your eyeballs that keeps them "inflated". This pressure can get elevated when the constant production of the fluid doesn't drain out as it's supposed to. Elevated pressure can/will damage the retina and optic nerve. Drops regulate the production of fluid and/or keep the drain channels open (eye Drano).

 

[loiblb]

My mom lost sight in one eye due to this months after being checked by a Dr.
It has got the whole family upset, but we all are going in for testing now.

 

[eveled]

Not something you want to mess with.

Also worth pointing out not to ignore Diabetes either. I know several people who had to stop driving due to vision loss from diabetes.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

My mom lost sight in one eye due to this months after being checked by a Dr.
It has got the whole family upset, but we all are going in for testing now.

If it happened that quickly it was probably too late to do anything about it.

Problem seems to be that not all optometrists check IOP during routine vision exam for glasses.

Make sure to specify this test.

If there's anything hinky there, get thee hence to an ophthalmologist (an actual MD) immediately!

https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132

:shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[Colonialgirl]

Well other than cataracts (repaired by VA Surgery) and an Astigmatism in the right eye I've had as far back as I can remember; the ONLY thing the VA eye Clinic is checking every six months is a "Freckle" by the optic nerve on the Retina of my right eye.
So far in two+ years no change.

 

[Bull Barrel]

No glaucoma but the doc says I'm getting new Cadillacs! I wonder how he can tell that from looking at my eyes...
Time for my yearly check, too.

 

[volshooter]

Seen DR. today, I am responding very well to treatment. Pressure is way down.
Damage cannot be reversed as of now, I can live with that.
I have already started learning to shoot long guns left eye.
Good news fer sure.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Seen DR. today, I am responding very well to treatment. Pressure is way down.
Damage cannot be reversed as of now, I can live with that.
I have already started learning to shoot long guns left eye.
Good news fer sure.

When I started CAS that is what I had to do. It really doesn't take that long. About 4-5000 22s in the rifle will do it.
Having one eye isn't all that bad. Once you react to your close up depth perception it is no big deal

 

[Phoenix too]

There's two types of glaucoma. I have the 'narrow-angle' version.

http://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/are-you-an-angle-closure-suspect.php

Can, apparently, happen very quickly or, as in my case, more slowly. We've always used an Ophthalmologist - one's eyes are too important to trust to anyone else...

Good luck, Vol.

 

[smoke-eater]

Yeah, I've got it. I'm 59, and was diagnosed about three years ago. One drop of Lumigan in each eye before bed, and a pressure check three times a year. No worries. My pressure stays at 17.
Thank goodness for my prescription plan, though. Otherwise, Lumigan would cost close to $300 for a tiny 7.5ml bottle! :shock:

Jeff

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Yeah, the price of these drops is (pardon the expression) out-of-sight.

My ophthalmologist is sympathetic to this, and gives me samples to help spread out the purchases. Still, without insurance it would be a tough row to hoe.