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Was just diagnosed with glaucoma, need support!
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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@ew100 Welcome to connect I have M. D.and glaucoma my ophthalmologist has me On Latanoprist for both eyes I never heard of just one eye for drops.Also Perservision Vit,Min. capsules Last couple of years I go and have a picture of the back of my eye.My cataracts where both removed in 2009 Just my experience. I've never been on any other she drops My cataract surgery was a breeze I can see much better
Welcome to the glaucoma group. Find a good glaucoma specialist and plan to see him regularly. I've been fighting glaucoma since early 1990's and can still see with about 20-40 vision in right eye. I think I've progressed through just about all the different eye drops to keep my pressure below 15. I'm now on 4 different daily drops and see the GS specialist every 4 months at age 74. I'm on dorzolamide, combigan, lumigan, and rhopressa. When these drops quit working it will be time for shunt surgery which I'm not looking forward to.
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3 Reactions@riflemanz64 Welcome to connect where we care We aren't Dr,s but help with what we can .I to have Glucoma have had it for well over 10 yrs I'm on Latanaprest my opthalmologist prescribed for me so far my numbers are in the teens around 15 in both eyes I also have macular Degeneration ,dry eyes but be faithful in your drops make sure you do as your Dr says I have a picture and visual fuel once a year also
Went for my annual eye exam and my eye pressure was 21 in both eyes. He said my optical nerve had some changes too. He put me on eye drops at bedtime and have to get a visual fields test done. My grandmother went blind from this. Fun fun!
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2 ReactionsHi @riflemanz64, you'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about glaucoma. I did this so you can connect with @ew100 @dsh33782 @lioness @charlena @jakedduck1 @azpowells and others. Click VIEW & REPLY to see past posts.
You might also be interested in this discussion:
- Stop Glaucoma eye drops https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stop-glaucoma-eye-drops/
Did this diagnosis come out of the blue for you? Often there aren't any warning signs.
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4 ReactionsHello Riflemanz64- Sorry to hear of your diagnosis of Glaucoma; however, the good news is that it was diagnosed! I'm not trying to be cavalier. It's just that after a diagnosis that pulled the rug out from under you, and compounded with the outcome which your grandmother had, you should know that it is very treatable and does not necessarily lead to loss of vision or major negative changes. I've had glaucoma for 37 years, with major fluctuations in my pressure from time to time. Not only are drops effective - be religious about taking them! - but there are so many new procedures that are available. Changes to the optic nerve may or may not reflect loss of vision. The visual field test will provide you with more information. I have changes to my optic nerve and after so many years, have lost a little peripheral vision in one eye. It does not cause me any problems. I suggest that you learn all you can about Glaucoma and make sure you feel comfortable with a very good Ophthalmologist who specializes in Glaucoma. Also, be aware for symptoms of dry eyes, because often the drops will have that result. Please let us know how you are progressing. I'm sure the prognosis is good! Sue
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2 ReactionsWelcome to the Glaucoma club. I was diagnosed in early 1990's after retina detachments and I've been on drops ever since but can still see. I now on Dorzolimide, Combigan, Lumigan, and Rhopressa. My pressures were 11 amd 13 on my last visit. I go for check with Glaucoma specialist every 3-4 months
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1 ReactionNot a shock to me as it's in the family. I'm on Lumigan drops. I've been getting high eye pressures for a few years.
Have lived with open angle glaucoma for about 20 years . Using Latanaprost ( Xalatan ), Restasis ( for dry eye ) and Combigan ( Pressure ). I just changed from Restasis to Xiidra for dry eyes. Of all the drops I have taken Combigan does the most to hold my Inner Ocular Pressures ( IOP ) down.. Fighting Chronic dry eye while using these drops seems to always be an issue it is not the end of the world. Glaucoma can be slowed and controlled if seen regularly like every 3 months because you want to keep track of any progression and the limit any damage done by not mitigating this disease. It is totally treatable and no need to panic. See your DR. and follow their directions . No slacking . LOL. Just had cataract surgery 2 days ago on my right eye and so far so good. Will schedule the other eye soon. You take good care and do not worry about your Glaucoma diagnosis. You will be fine. Stay Safe.
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3 ReactionsI go back in 3 weeks to get a pressure check and visual field test done. I use refresh eye drops for dry eye. Hopefully the pressure will drop.