Was just diagnosed with glaucoma, need support!

Posted by evw100 @ew100, Jun 8, 2019

I’ll be 79 in a couple of months and my ophthalmologist just diagnosed my eyes “Primary open-angle glaucoma, bilateral, mild stage”. My eye pressures are borderline high, 22.5 left eye and 21 right eye. Since my dad was blind of glaucoma, the doctor wants me to start using eye drops on my left eye only, so he can compare the result of the drops. After using Travatan Z (free sample bottle from his office) for one month, my left eye pressure went up to 23! He switched me to Latanoprost (Xalatan) with the same direction and recheck one month in July.

I was diagnosed with myopic degeneration or degenerative myopia 9 years ago, I also have bad cataracts. I’m praying that Latanoprost drops will bring my left eye pressure down from 23, so the doctor does not recommend laser or surgery as the next step!!! I don’t heal well; I have very weak immune system. I have Medicare, HMO insurance plan.

I would appreciate so much if you would share any of your experiences of your glaucoma treatment journey and the different types of eye drops that you used!

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painsurvivor | @painsurvivor | Oct 3 6:35am

My open angle glaucoma has been controlled almost from the beginning by laser treatments. My ophthalmologist does laser breakdown of blockages in his office. Eliminates the need for lifetime expensive eye drops and has not caused any scarring.

debjacobs54 | @debjacobs54 | Oct 3 6:10pm

In reply to @gemineye55 "@debjacobs54 Dr Richard. Seeger" + (show)

@gemineye55 Thank you
What area is he located in?

gemineye55 | @gemineye55 | Oct 3 6:59pm

In reply to @debjacobs54 "@gemineye55 Thank you What area is he located in?" + (show)

@debjacobs54 Rochester, NY

debjacobs54 | @debjacobs54 | Oct 4 5:51pm

In reply to @gemineye55 "@debjacobs54 Rochester, NY" + (show)

@gemineye55
Thank you. I thought you were in Pennsylvania.
My eye doctor retired and now I have a new doctor. My records are transferred to the new doctor and he suggested that I have the procedure to lower pressure.
I had that procedure on my right eye, and my follow up appointment on Oct. 13th. He will then decide when to do my cataract surgery. After that he may decide to do the pressure procedure on my left eye that I already had cataract surgery on in 2010. He has a great reputation and I've only heard positive experiences about him.

lou1130 | @lou1130 | 1 day ago

I had LASIK surgery for glaucoma ,after one year my pressure was the highest it had ever been 25 in both eyes . I am now on Travaprost will see him in December .
I’ve become a bit suspicious as I thing the group I use may have recommended me for surgery for the $ as my pressure was never very high , thinking I should arrange for a new consultation, new doctor .

lou1130 | @lou1130 | 1 day ago

In reply to @painsurvivor "My open angle glaucoma has been controlled almost from the beginning by laser treatments. My ophthalmologist..." + (show)

@painsurvivor how high was your pressure prior to the surgery as mine fluctuated from 18 19 to as high as 22 when doctor recommended surgery which for me . After surgery pressure at 25 and I’m back on meds .
Happy to hear yours was successful.

painsurvivor | @painsurvivor | 20 hours ago

In reply to @lou1130 "@painsurvivor how high was your pressure prior to the surgery as mine fluctuated from 18 19..." + (show)

@lou1130 My pressure was in the low to middle 20s. I don't remember now precisely. I have been treated for blockages by this ophthalmologist many times in the past 3 or more years. The pressure has always lowered afterward. I wonder if you should get a second opinion, see another recommended ophthalmologist. I would.

steve161 | @steve161 | 16 hours ago

Years ago my ophthalmologist told me that I needed cataract surgery on both eyes. During the conversation he told me that my mild glaucoma symptoms, being dealt with eye drops, could also be resolved. It's been 4 years since my surgery and my glaucoma is still under control without having to use eye drops.

LisaW | @elizabethwall | 12 hours ago

Hi,
I have ICE Syndrome, which causes secondary glaucoma as it causes the pressure in my eye to raise. I have been on Timolol 0.5% for over 10+ years now, in one eye, and it has successfully kept my pressure in my left eye around 18, never over 20. I also use Systane Complete, which I have tried other types of Systane and always go back to Complete. I have horrible dry eyes, which was going on well before my diagosis. I hope you are able to get some closure with this new med. I haven't tried any others since this has always worked for me. Good luck and maybe ask about this drop if your new one doesn't work.