Anyone here know about Glaucoma?

Subject: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 09:35 AM

Went to the optician this morning and she picked up some readings in my eyes that, quite frankly, are not looking so good. I need further tests but it looks like glaucoma is a strong possibility ( she's a friend and gave me the straight dope).I've read up on all the medical stuff but it's kind of impersonal.
I know it's not the end of the world or anything but does anyone here have it, how does it affect them, what impact does it have on daily living, if any?

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 09:48 AM

My father-in-law had it, which entitled the husband to free eye tests, so it's good news for the family, Terri...

As long as the pressure increase is detected at an early stage (which it will have been, assuming you have regular eye tests), you shouldn't have any vision problems. Positive thoughts for you.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 09:58 AM

Well, unfortunately I haven't been in three years or more and have had some symptoms for about 18 months, which I went to the doctor about but she didn't seem to think about sending me on to an optician, and it didn't occur to me, so there may be some damage but maybe not.Don't want to be pessimistic at this stage but would say to people, if you haven't had your eyes checked in a while....GO!!

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Gervase
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 09:59 AM

Terri m'dear
Deepest sympathy - I had an in-law with glaucoma, and she found it very painful and unsettling.
And, talking of the straight dope - if you'll forgive me, one of the best things to alleviate the symptoms of glaucoma is a spliff, as it helps reduce the pressure in the eyes. Just don't let the rozzers catch you...

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: okthen
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:00 AM

I'm told that the only two medicinal (legal) uses for marijuana are multiple sclerosis and glaucoma, I think they are thinking of doing tests for MS but not sure about glaucoma. Puts a different slant on "giving you the straight dope" tho' *G*

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Gervase
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:01 AM

...and if you need any more info, e-mail me at the usual address - I do know someone who has done a fair bit of research into the subject.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:06 AM

Result!! Not that I needed an excuse but it's always nice to have one.....now can I get it on prescription?

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Bernard
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:10 AM

This seems a good place to look!

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: gnu
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:15 AM

Don't know if this will help in any way, but... I worked for a buyer at a department store who had it. Every season, he had to pour over pink order sheets for several days and found it bothered his eyes a lot. He claimed that it wasn't the long hours so much as it was the combination of black ink on pink paper. He tried photocopying the sheets to white, doing his work, copying them back to pink, and found that it helped greatly.

No... I don't think he toked.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:22 AM

Thanks Bernard, I had already looked at that site and found it very helpful.....just wanted more personal info. if anyone has any.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Troll
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:34 AM

Morticia, glaucoma runs in my family. There are drops that you can take that will relieve the pressure. If it was caught early enough, you should have no problems.
I worked with a guy who had laser surgery to relieve his pressures and it worked very well. Homever, he retired even before I did and I have no idea where he is now or I would call and ask him just what they did.
Above all, don't panic. There is help.
I'll try to find more info for you.

troll

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:35 AM

Completely personal opinions noted after knowing some folks...........

First, sorry Terri....ANYTHING healthwise is an issue and a real pain in the whatever part is broken.

I have known several people in varying age groups with glaucoma and have noticed that there must be either different levels of it or perhaps different stages. Some experience sharply reduced vision and great pain while others are virtually sympton free with some others ranging in between. Obviously, I don't know diddly squat about it. It just strikes me that there must be something that causes the disease to either change or go through stages or something.

Also there used to be some thought that certain personality types were more prone to glaucoma as well as other "pressure" type problems such as Meniere's Syndrome, an ear problem which the astronaut Alan Shepherd had. He also had glaucoma. After the ear problem was corrected through what was then a risky surgery, he was put back on flight status and his moon landing was done without any treatment for the glaucoma.

I know there are some others far more qualified than I am around here.......just a couple of random thoughts. Good Luck and Much Love from here........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Troll
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 10:55 AM

Try www.aao.org

troll

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 04:46 PM

Thanks for your advice and suggestions, everyone...I'm reading all about it and quite frankly, there's a whole bunch of worse things that could happen to a person:)

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 04:48 PM

Yeah, that's true......like maybe someone gives you a hot lead enema or something..............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Llanfair
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 06:33 PM

It's in our family, so I am tested every time I go to the optician. He thought the pressure was a bit high a year or so ago, so I had to do the hospital out-patients thing, but it's OK at the moment.
It is very treatable, and I'm sure you'll get it checked regularly now.
Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 07:24 PM

Won't have a choice if I understand correctly,Bron, but wish I hadn't left it so long....ah well, we are all wise in hindsight ( sight!! ha ha!!)

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: GUEST,bob mayo
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 08:02 PM

my wife has had glaucoma for 10 years (she's only 48 now)

It is completely treatable, with drops if caught early enough, followed by laser treatment to punch drain holes in the trebecular mesh or finally with a miraculous piece of microsurgery called a trebby (sic) which involves carving a non-return valve into the upper front eyeball to drain the excess fluid.

This is now a routine problem with few after effects and no long term problems, other than routine check ups. You are lucky that it has been detected early. If caught early enough 90% of cases respond to drops. Unfortunately because she was so young when it started (the average age of patients in our local clinic is 75!!!)Carol was not immediately diagnosed and went down the whole route of treatment to 2 full trebbies. These are done under local anaesthetic as a day patient (which shows how routine they are)

Don't worry, just do whatever your GP tells you. For more info try www.glaucoma.org

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 08:06 PM

Thanks Bob, I kind of thought it wasn't going to be a huge issue, although I suspect I've had it at least about 18 months now..... am really squeamish about my eyes but hey, in comparison, it's hardly a problem at all.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: GUEST,bob mayo
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 08:17 PM

my wife has had glaucoma for 10 years (she's only 48 now)

It is completely treatable, with drops if caught early enough, followed by laser treatment to punch drain holes in the trebecular mesh or finally with a miraculous piece of microsurgery called a trebby (sic) which involves carving a non-return valve into the upper front eyeball to drain the excess fluid.

This is now a routine problem with few after effects and no long term problems, other than routine check ups. You are lucky that it has been detected early. If caught early enough 90% of cases respond to drops. Unfortunately because she was so young when it started (the average age of patients in our local clinic is 75!!!)Carol was not immediately diagnosed and went down the whole route of treatment to 2 full trebbies. These are done under local anaesthetic as a day patient (which shows how routine they are)

Don't worry, just do whatever your GP tells you. For more info try www.glaucoma.org

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 08:18 PM

sorry - hit button twice

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 08:34 PM

Sorry, I know I'm a Guest and only stumbled onto whilst checking out something else, but it's a topic close to our hearts.

It's not a disease, but it is believed to be hereditary. If you have siblings or children over 40 tell them to get checked out regularly as well. If caught early there is no problem. In UK checks are free, and throughout most of Europe, USA, Canada, Aussie etc. opthalmologists do pressure tests as a matter of routine.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 09:31 PM

First, as you're beginning to appreciate, glaucoma is no big deal these days. Typically it is inherited, and strikes only sometime after you're 40. The later the better, because the older you are when it strikes, the less likely it is to have done you any serious damage by the time something else does you terminal damage. It can occur in younger people,in which case it is likely to be secondary - ie caused by some other problem. In this case it is best to be living in the developed world, as the problem will need to be closely managed if it is to do no real damage in the course of a lifetime.

Treatment is typically in the form of eye-drops or a combination of perhaps two or three different eyedrops, applied up to four times a day. In more severe cases acetazolamide (Diamox) tablets might be prescribed, Non-invasive (laser) surgery is likely to be preferred to long-term use of Diamox, where such surgery is likely to be effectve, in containing the problem. (And so far, containment is the best that can be achieved, as there is no cure.) Where laser treatment is inappropriate, and in more severe cases, invasive surgery is also an option.

Glaucoma is the name for abnormally high ocular pressure. One eye or both can be affected, and the symptoms include ocular discomfort, (ranging up to and including diabolical pain in sudden and acute onsets); hazy vision, and a rainbow effect round point sources of light. (Test by looking at a lit match or candle in a darkish room.) Never count on noticing all these symptoms, or even any. The disease creeps up insidiously, giving the eye(s) time to accommodate, in which case you may get no symptoms at all. For this reason, and the strong genetic factor, eye tests are free in the UK for anyone who has a parent/sibling etc with glaucoma. Even in this day and age it can pass by undetected for many years, by which time irreparable damage to visual acuity may have been caused.

It is believed (but not proven) that high ocular pressure (glaucoma), if unchecked, will eventually damage the "disk" - the retina end of the optic nerves. If such damage occurred at the centre of the disk, any damage to vision would be easily detected. But it is more likely to occur around the edges, meaning that impairment is confined to peripheral vision, and is unlikely to be detected except in field-of-vision testing, or when the damage becomes severe.

In your case, Morticia, I would assume that the optician carried out a field-of-vision test for each eye, in which case he/she will have have been able to say whether any damage has been done. If it has, it is unlikely to restrict you in anything, unless it is really bad, you want to fly planes, or you are used to playing squash at a very high standard. Anyone with a driving licence (in the UK) who gets glaucoma in both eyes is supposed to notify this fact, in which case a binocular fields-of-vision test has to be undergone.

Except when the damage has become extensive, any blind spot(s) in one eye will be compensated by the other eye, and the licence will not be in jeopardy. It's very unlikely that blind-spots in each eye will overlap. No chance of a pilot's licence though.

Sometimes people put off checking for glaucoma because of unease about how ocular pressure might be tested. Fear not. The tests are unbelievably simple. An optician might do it simply with a device that blows a gentle puff of air at the eye, and measures the force of the rebound. Such devices are hopeless for monitoring but are good enough to indicate whether there might be a problem. There are more sophisticated optical devices that make actual but gentle contact with the eye surface, but anaesthetising drops are applied first, and you are unlikely to feel any discomfort. Either way is quite a lot better than the way it was done 40 years ago.

If you, Morticia, or anyone else wants to discuss glaucoma at even greater length, send me a personal message.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 09:47 PM

Wow, Fionn, you obvioulsy know your stuff! Mind if I come back to you when I know what questions to ask?

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 28 Apr 01 - 11:35 PM

My mother has glaucoma, and unfortunately was diagnosed fairly late on, so she lost quite a bit of useful sight in one eye (the blind spots are interesting, though; ornaments on shelves appear and disappear depending on what angle you look at them) and she isn't allowed to drive any more; mind you, most people over 70 ought to consider very seriously whether or not they should continue driving, anyway.  Surgery helped a bit -most people don't need it- but in her case it hasn't solved the problem.  I get tested from time to time, and really dread the eye-drops and suction pad things applied to the eye, but that's only because I'm pathetically squeamish about it.  There is no pain involved, and even if the eye is operated on it's no worse -she says- than that sort of scratchy feeling you get when over-tired.  Time I had another test, actually.  One thing to bear in mind; stress can result in higher pressure readings than normal (it did the first time I had a test!) but that may not mean that there's anything wrong.  Ten years on, I'm still within normal levels.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 01:34 AM

I've lost the vision in my right eye to what has been called "traumatic glaucoma." I was struck in that eye with a rock in a gang fight when I was working my way through my reckless younger days. The injury left a scar on the retina which obscured a small patch near the center of vision in that eye, causing me to become very left-eyed, although there was plenty of peripheral vision remaining. An optician back at the time of the injury led me to believe that glaucoma might develop in years to come. There has been no history of the condition in my family, I might point out.

When I was in my early 50s, a check-up by a local opthalmologist detected increased pressure in the right eye and drops were prescribed. I used them for about a year and then had another check-up. The idiot told me that the pressure was nicely down and that I could stop using the drops. No suggestion that I should "Come back in six months for another check-up", or "We'll send you a card when it's time for another check-up" (which would have been nice). Several years passed before I noticed that I was seeing a sort of oily film over the remaining peripheral vision in that right eye, and that nothing I did seemed to clear it up. You know, blinking, artificial tears, "Get the Red Out" drops, etc. I went to another opthalmologist who immediately put me back on drops. They didn't help. The pressure remained much too high. He did laser surgery twice to no avail. I went to the top dog at Yale/New Haven's vision center. More drops were tried. Finally, they gave it up. The vision was forever lost (I now see just a few small, very foggy areas of light in the midst of the dark grey void. But the pressure was dangerously high, so they did a trabeculectomy (trebby) on the eye. In a few weeks the pressure was higher than ever. I had scarred over their newly-created drainage ditch. So they did a second trabeculectomy (didn't even give me a discount price on the second one!) and followed it up with a series of daily shots inserting some sort of anti-cancer/anti-scarring fluid in the poor old orb. Not too bad, except when a young resident attempted to give me the needle before the eye was fully numb. He yelled at ME for jumping, for pete's sake!

A long story, but all seems okay now, other than my total lack of depth perception. I sometimes manage to pour the tea onto the table in Chinese restaurants, for instance, missing the cup completely. I use the drops in my good eye now, at the recommendation of a different local opthalmologist, and the pressure remains within safe levels. I get regular field of vision tests. When I realized that I had lost the vision because of poor advice from the first guy ("You can quit using the drops now"), I actually considered filing a malpractice suit. But I guess I'm just not the litigious type. I let it go.

So, if you've caught it early enough, before any serious loss of vision, the drops can really control the pressure. Get your check-up and pressure tests regularly, use the drops faithfully, and all will be well.

I get along fine, aside from occasionally bumping my right shoulder against some unseen obstruction, but, what the hell, there are a lot of good folks out there that can run into something that's right in front of them. At least I've got one eye that still works. And I'm too old to participate in any more street rumbles.

Grandpa Paton

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Peg
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 08:58 AM

My Mom had it; complications from Type 1 diabetes. She si fine now; it only gave her problems for a year or so as I recall. Her other health issues are much worse; her MS has kicked in after being in remission for 25 years and she can hardly walk now...

Morty, glaucoma need not be serious so gathering information will be a good start...good luck! Oh and they say smoking marijuana eases the pressure behind the eyes...ain't Mother Nature grand?

love,

Peg

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 09:10 AM

Thanks for all your help, everyone.I now know a LOT more than I did yesterday.Sandy, I'm pretty squeamish about my eyes too, I woosed out of contact lenses because I hated touching my eyeball.Still, I expect it will be a drops job which isn't so bad.I am still pretty young ( well, 42 is quiteyoung)to have glaucoma but am fit and well as a rule so doubt it indicates anything more sinister.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 01:37 PM

From way out here, Morticia, 42 seems VERY young! That's a year younger than our first-born son (the one we had for free in London, courtesy of the National Health !).

Seriously, even the trabeculectomies weren't all that bad. During the first one, the African-American nurse who was monitoring my blood pressure was humming a hymn. I asked her if she might sing Amazing Grace, which she did, with me adding a tenor harmony. Then we found others that we both knew, and we managed to sing our way through most of the procedure. The surgeon allowed as how that was fine, as long as I held my head still while I sang. He later confessed that it was a first for him, to have some idiot singing all through the operation. I'm no hero, mind you. I just found the connection with that wonderful woman very peaceful. It made me glad that it's performed with a local, rather than a general.

You'll do fine, I'm sure, if you remember the observation of the old Mormon elder: "The way to live a long time is to get an incurable disease -- and take care of it!"

Sandy

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 04:18 PM

Sorry you had that outcome Sandy. I've never ceased to be amazed at the care and attention that has been lavished on my eyes in the fifty years since I was two - all of it courtesy of the UK health service. (Except for a first consultation with a world expert, who was the only guy to suss what was wrong, and who told my parents he could sort it all through the NHS, including a two-hour operation one Christmas-day morning.)

Don't know why someone decided to take Sandy off the drops, but be warned, catters: once you've got glaucoma, it won't go away - it can only be treated.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 05:42 PM

Once again, simply amazing. I have learned far more that I did at any site I checked of have known before. Makes me wonder what might possibly be brought up around here that could not be intelligently discussed. As Bert continues to say, "All I need to know I learned at Mudcat."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 06:19 PM

I couldn't agree more Pat. When I want the dry, medical stuff I go to a website, and I've been to plenty.When I want to know the 'real' stuff, case history, practical experience etc. I ask here.Not only do I get the 'real' stuff but I get a sense that people give a damn....worth emeralds and rubies when you are in a hard place.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: JedMarum
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 09:35 PM

I know about Glaucoma. I have Glaucoma. I have a family history, I have some visible signs within my eyes, but have suffered no damage, as yet. I have been under a doctor's care for almost 10 years. My Mother and her mother have Glaucoma - because of their history, and because of the structure of my inner eye - I have had three doctors all say that even though I have yet to develop damage to my vision, it is only a matter of time and that it is best for me to be treated. I use drops (one each eye) every day, and manage my eye pressure several points beloe the average. I have a pressure test 4 times per year and a visual field test (the way to tell if damage has occurred) once per year.

Glaucoma made my Grandmother blind, in her last years - but hers was quite well advanced before it was diagnosed. My mother likewise had some damage before she was diagnosed, but has had very little damage, and has maintained her pressure at acceptable levels through medication and a lazer surgery in each eye.

I am convinced that managing the disease can be accomplished, and little if any visual damage will occur. I hope your tests show that you caught it early enough, and be encouraged - no matter what; I believe there is good science and medical treatment for this disease, now-a-days.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: JedMarum
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 09:56 PM

... a few more bits of info ...

I was very lucky that my GP found an unusual structure or cupping to the optic nerve (I think that's how it was described) during a routine physical. I was in my late 30's. She checked my family history, and sent me off to an opthamologist. My pressure was borderline, and again, visual field tests showed no damage ... and that is the state I have maintained for years now. Don't know how long my luck will hold. I did develop a low tolerance for the first drops they put me on (foggy vision late in the days, thick film in the eye fluids) ... but the new ones seem OK. The new can change my eye color, eventually, though but that's OK.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 06:35 PM

I agree, Spaw and Mortee, the Mudcat is an incredible place to learn about all kinds of Life things! Follow the good advice and I know you will be okay, Mortee.

All my love and good thoughts coming your way,

kat

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Helen
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 06:56 PM

A friend of mine told me that taking vitamin C can ease the pressure from glaucoma. I asked the optician but he said he didn't know anything about it. At my last eye test he found a small pressure reading and I went back a few weeks later and it tested ok.

But, I find that if my eyes feel a bit off, i.e. a small pressure which is a bit uncomfortable, and I take a vitamin C tablet it tends to go away very quickly.

Obviously moderation would be the key - not overdoing the vitamin C. But, it is possibly more to do with stress, because that feeling in my eyes often coincides with feeling stressed - like a headache in my eyes, perhaps?

Any ideas?

Helen

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:08 PM

Helen, the pain caused by acute glaucoma can be pinpoint sharp or quite vague and neuralgic. The latter can be mistaken for headache/migraine and vice versa. If it actually is glaucoma, your eye(s) will almost certainly be unusually sensitive to touch. You can test this yourself if you're not too squeamish. Just close your eyes while looking downward as far as you comfortably can, and apply gentle finger pressure on your eyes by pressing highish on the upper lids. It's a better test if you get someone else to do it. Also be alert for any clouding of vision that can't be blinked sway, and watch out for prismatic distortion around light sources such as oncoming headlamps.

It doesn't sound like you've got glaucoma, but if you had, vitamin C wouldn't begin to address it. On the other hand, there is some evidence that marijuana can sometimes help, both with managing any pain and by helping to reduce ocular, or more precisely, intraocular pressure (IOP). Even so, it is generally not relied on by clinicians, but might occasionally be recommended as a supplementary/complementary treatment or where there is a reaction against more conventional treatments.

Keep in mind, everyone, that once damage has been done to the optic nerve ends (the disk), such damage may continue even if the pressures are stabilised at normal values. This relates to the point I made earlier that the link between high pressure and damage to the optic nerve-endings (the disk) is not proven, nor fully understood. Here's an interesting article on this aspect, but remember it is just one of hundreds published around the world each year.

Unlike with some other human conditions, there is a high degree of consensus between east and west about the clinical treatments for glaucoma. Neither the dreaded weed nor alternative remedies seem to get high up anyone's list.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Helen
Date: 03 May 01 - 07:41 PM

Thanks, Fionn.

Neuralgia of the eyes makes sense to me.

Also I didn't mean that Vitamin C was a cure or even a treatment for glaucoma, only that it seems to have a positive effect on reducing the sense of pressure I get in my eyes sometimes. What I feel may be the neuralgia-type pressure and may not be related to glaucoma.

Helen

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 03 May 01 - 08:58 PM

Well, I technically have glaucoma, and am on drops (only once a day, which is good, 'cause my main difficulty is remembering to take them, and more often would be bad.) They've been keeping the pressure at nice low levels, and so far things look good, which is nice, since I was running the highest pressures in my better eye (the one with 20 120 vision, so I didn't want to lose much more.)

I haven't experienced pain from the glaucoma, but as you've gathered, it's a variable condition. I'd basically describe it as a plumbing problem, where something (the angle of the lens in the eye, a traumatic injury, floating junk clogging the drainage system, whatever) messes up the flow of liquids within the eye. The trouble starts when the pressure damages the optic nerve. Lots of us are running around with technical glaucoma which has never gotten to the optic nerve damage part.

I've been on drops for about five or six years now, and don't think about it much. I do remember being pretty shocked when I first heard about the high pressure. I was born with cataracts, and apparrently that's a high risk group for glaucoma. I had never known that, and hadn't had my eyes tested until I was in my early thirties. The pressures were in the mid twenties, with seventeen being the norm. I was more than a little upset. I am now on my second set of drops. Xalatan, the stuff that turns your irises a different color was my first medication, and I'm now on a Timoptic derivative, which is less expensive, and for me, seems to be as effective.

I hope that you can find something theat works as efectively for you, and is as straight forward. It's frightening at first, but if all goes well, it's just another part of the routine, like brushing your teeth.

Good luck.

Susan

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: JedMarum
Date: 04 May 01 - 12:22 AM

Susan - I was on Timoptic for several years when I suddenly seemed to develop an allergy to it. It's too bad, it worked well. When I was first treated they had me use Xalatan for a little while to get the pressure down, then switched to Timoptic to keep it down - but then the allergy problem developed and now I'm back on a low dose of Xalatan. My eye color hasn't changed yet! My corrected pressure stays between 15 and 19. I've been very lucky.

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 04 May 01 - 12:52 AM

My cat has glaucoma. Cataracts, too. That stuff's a bummer...

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 01 - 01:42 AM

Hmmm, I wonder if Morticia has gone to Whitby already and missed seeing this and updating us? I received an email from her a couple of days ago and she said she'd found out it wasn't glaucoma, so she was pretty happy. It was a "minor stress" related thing, instead.

Still, this has has been very interesting and informative, esp. your postings Fionn, thanks.

kat

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 04 May 01 - 01:49 AM

Esp. Fionn? What, my touching tale of cat glaucoma was less informative than Fionn's entry? I'm wounded! (And so is Gollum)

---Lepus Rex ;)

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 01 - 02:03 AM

Oh, golly, that's what I get for singling anyone out, eh? Puir Gollum, there's a good puss, now...hairless thing that ya are.**BG**

It is a bummer, Lepus. Our old dawg who went to heaven two years ago had cataracts. Sorry, Gollum. (I am remembering right, correct? You used to sign with pix of them and they were hairless?)

katthankingALL

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 04 May 01 - 02:19 AM

Hmm... Nope, that wasn't me. I WISH they were hairless, though. :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 01 - 02:52 AM

Sorry, Lepus, I misremembered. It was Wincing Devil used to sign off with a link to great pix of his SPHYNX cats. Haven't seen him around in awhile. Wonder where he's is...

kat

Subject: RE: Anyone here know about Glaucoma?
From: Morticia
Date: 04 May 01 - 02:14 PM

Sorry, folks, haven't been around very much and therefore didn't update. I have something called occular hypertension which I understand is a fairly minor stress type thingy and otherwise am as fit as flea.....but thank you bucketfulls for all your help and support, no less than I expected here but very welcome all the same.
much love
Terri