Does Anyone have Glaucoma?
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
January 7, 2007 7:39pm CST
I was diagnosed with glaucoma a few years ago. I am now seeing a low vision specialist. I am amazed at the products that are available to help me function with my low vision. Does anyone else have glaucoma? what kind of products have you found helpful?
3 people like this
6 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Jan 07
My uncle has glaucoma, but had his eyes operated on a couple of years ago. I believe he is doing much better as a result.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
8 Jan 07
That is great that he is doing better. I am not able to have surgery. I have too many medical problems and am allergic to the drops so right now we are tring to get other medical problems under control so I can have surgery. I have already lost some of my vision and there is no surgery to bring that back.
@texaslady52 (44)
• United States
8 Jan 07
oh..sorry to hear that. I was just diagnosed (caught early) a few weeks ago and was first put on eye drops ..I forget the name...something spelled like Travist?? ,,,but,I had a reaction to it..felt like my eyes were on fire and peeling off and I practically scared myself when I looked in the mirror upon waking up one morning. I am now on Timolol. No allergic reaction. I assume you have tried other drops? I am sure you know its so important to treat it asap to avoid losing more of your vision. For me...its scary because I am deaf and do need to rely on my vision. Do you know what happens if you do have surgery? By having the surgery- will it prevent further vision loss??
@butterflydawn (297)
• Canada
23 Mar 07
Have you had any laser surgery Texaslady? Often that helps reduce the pressure and makes a big difference and is less evasive than eye surgery.
@amneris (29)
• Philippines
6 Jun 07
I have also been diagnosed with glaucoma for five years now. I buy medicines or products as prescribed by my opthalmologist... It's crucial to ask your specialist first before purchasing products for the eyes especially if you have glaucoma.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
16 Jun 07
I am allergic to all the prescription drops for the eye that is usually used for glaucoma
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
13 Jan 07
It is a scary disease. When I found out I had it, I had lots of questions. I found out that my sisters and brothers are more at risk of having it than my own children. My children are still at risk though. I called all my brothers and sister and had them meet with me so I could discuss the disease with them. Each of them have since been tested.
@paulnet (748)
• India
20 Mar 07
Screening tests are important to detect glaucoma before there is significant loss of vision. An optometrist can do these during a sight test. Ideally, everyone over 40 should have their eyes checked for glaucoma every two years.
There are three types of simple, painless tests that an optometrist can do:
1. Look at the back of the eye using a special torch (ophthalmoscope). Damage to the optic nerve can be seen at the back of the eye.
2. Measure the internal pressure of the eye (tonometry). This is done with a device that blows a small puff of air onto the eyeball.
3. Measure the field of vision, by showing a sequence of spots of lights and asking which can be seen.
People who are found to have glaucoma can be referred to a specialist eye doctor (an ophthalmologist) for assessment and treatment.
Treatment for glaucoma aims to lower the internal pressure of the eye and prevent any loss of vision, or any further deterioration in vision. Options include medicine given as eye drops, laser treatment and surgery. Treatment cannot reverse any existing optic nerve damage, so it won’t improve sight if that has already deteriorated.
@butterflydawn (297)
• Canada
23 Mar 07
My father has glaucoma, and we are currently checking into the various low vision products to help him. One of the things is a magnifying machine which he is in the process of currently being checked to qualify for, but it really magnifies anything ie. the labels on the pill bottles, cans, recipes, newspapers, etc. that he can't read anymore. We are also checking into a talking watch to help when the vision is really bad.
1 person likes this
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
It has been awhile since you started this discussion. I just started the same discussion yesterday. I had lazer treatment a few days ago. Have you had lazer treatment?
