1. < Eye Conditions

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!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @deborahfrick123 "Thank you lioness. I will have to wait an entire year because I am sure Medicare..." + (show)
@deborahfrick123

Thank you lioness. I will have to wait an entire year because I am sure Medicare won't pay twice in the same year. I never heard of such things the doctor told me. Quit drinking tea, drink water instead. Do a daily nasal wash because the eyes, nose and throat are connected and buy over the counter drops and eye pads ( he said, acum pads) to cleanse my eye lids. I thought he was joking and I said what for? He said, to correct my dry eye problems.

Jump to this post

@deborahfrick123
One reason your eye doctor may have told you to stop drinking tea is because many believe it increases your pressures. I find this odd since people who regularly drink tea seem to have a lower incidence of Glaucoma. However ocular hypertension and glaucoma are two different animals so I'm wondering if it's bad for Occular hypertension but good for Glaucoma? have you asked your ophthalmologist specifically why he told you what he did about the tea. Also it appears that tea may increases the production of tears although I don't believe this research is conclusive yet. Ocular hypertension or high inter-ocular pressure are different. Ocular hypertension leads to glaucoma and the glaucoma diagnosis is when there is actual damage that impairs your vision.
Best of luck,
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
deborahfrick123 | @deborahfrick123 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@deborahfrick123 One reason your eye doctor may have told you to stop drinking tea is because..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@deborahfrick123
One reason your eye doctor may have told you to stop drinking tea is because many believe it increases your pressures. I find this odd since people who regularly drink tea seem to have a lower incidence of Glaucoma. However ocular hypertension and glaucoma are two different animals so I'm wondering if it's bad for Occular hypertension but good for Glaucoma? have you asked your ophthalmologist specifically why he told you what he did about the tea. Also it appears that tea may increases the production of tears although I don't believe this research is conclusive yet. Ocular hypertension or high inter-ocular pressure are different. Ocular hypertension leads to glaucoma and the glaucoma diagnosis is when there is actual damage that impairs your vision.
Best of luck,
Jake

Jump to this post

Hi Jake, I did ask the doctor why I should stop drinking tea. He said it dehydrates you because of the caffiene.

REPLY
1 reply
deborahfrick123 | @deborahfrick123 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @ashby1947 "Hi Deborah - I'm glad you are taking some steps to benefit your eyes. I also..." + (show)
@ashby1947

Hi Deborah - I'm glad you are taking some steps to benefit your eyes. I also use an Eye Mask for Dry eyes (I got mine from my doc, but Amazon, Walgreens, etc have them). I use it for about 10 minutes @ day and it helps stimulate the meibomian glands. The Cleveland Clinic is good. I had a consultation there a number of years ago (not eyes). You might want to consider calling the Institute and inquiring about a second opinion - how to go about it, will it be paid for, etc. Your previous doc shouldn't be upset, and if he is, all the more reason to say good bye. My Glaucoma doc suggested I get a 2nd opinion when I was having a serious issue. Persevere, you will get better! Sue

Jump to this post

@ashby1947 thank you Sue, I value all the information you provided.

REPLY
deborahfrick123 | @deborahfrick123 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @ashby1947 "Hi Deborah - I'm glad you are taking some steps to benefit your eyes. I also..." + (show)
@ashby1947

Hi Deborah - I'm glad you are taking some steps to benefit your eyes. I also use an Eye Mask for Dry eyes (I got mine from my doc, but Amazon, Walgreens, etc have them). I use it for about 10 minutes @ day and it helps stimulate the meibomian glands. The Cleveland Clinic is good. I had a consultation there a number of years ago (not eyes). You might want to consider calling the Institute and inquiring about a second opinion - how to go about it, will it be paid for, etc. Your previous doc shouldn't be upset, and if he is, all the more reason to say good bye. My Glaucoma doc suggested I get a 2nd opinion when I was having a serious issue. Persevere, you will get better! Sue

Jump to this post

@ashby1947 I am so thankful for this site. I appreciate all your advice. I will definitely be following through.

REPLY
deborahfrick123 | @deborahfrick123 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @dsh33782 "I second the recommendation to get 2nd opinions when you are unsure if your GS doc..." + (show)
@dsh33782

I second the recommendation to get 2nd opinions when you are unsure if your GS doc is recommending best plan for you, or you just want confirmation. I live in Tampa Bay Florida area and have been fighting glaucoma after 2 detachments for over 25 years now (I'm 75). Every few years I sign-up to fly down to Miami for the day with my wife Charlotte to get a second opinion at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Univ. of Miami. They do a complete exam and field tests and give me advice on current treatment and the progression of the disease. Here are the top 10 ranked eye research centers including Bascom, Wills, and Cleveland Clinic:
https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/ophthalmology
You can ask for references in your area and they may be able to give you references for GS docs who have interned at their institute. I am very happy with my current GS doc and he is happy to refer me to Bascom whenever I want. I am on Medicare which does not cover discretionary second opinions so I did have to pay for them myself. The total including flights was less than $1,000. The peace of mind while fighting this life long battle has been worth it for me.

Jump to this post

@dsh33782 this is wonderful advice.

REPLY
deborahfrick123 | @deborahfrick123 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@deborahfrick123 Been to Ohio many times different areas lovely state as all eastern states area Hope..." + (show)
@lioness

@deborahfrick123 Been to Ohio many times different areas lovely state as all eastern states area Hope you feel better some. I can't believe a Dr from Cleveland Clinic told you this .Glad your looking into getting a new Dr

Jump to this post

@lioness I hope I can get some answers from him. My friend told me to call his office and say, " I am confused about if 21 and 22 pressure numbers are qualified as glaucoma or not as I am not understanding this determination correctly. " even though he told me (in his office) if my pressure was 30 then that's when to worry. Cole Institute is with the Cleveland Clinic, but located in a suburb off campus.

REPLY
2 replies
deborahfrick123 | @deborahfrick123 | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @riflemanz64 "I use Refresh brand for dry eye relief. Preservative Free." + (show)
@riflemanz64

I use Refresh brand for dry eye relief.
Preservative Free.

Jump to this post

@riflemanz64 Thank you, I bought it yesterday and used it before bed. I still got up with dry eyes but such an improvement.

REPLY
Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @deborahfrick123 "@lioness I hope I can get some answers from him. My friend told me to call..." + (show)
@deborahfrick123

@lioness I hope I can get some answers from him. My friend told me to call his office and say, " I am confused about if 21 and 22 pressure numbers are qualified as glaucoma or not as I am not understanding this determination correctly. " even though he told me (in his office) if my pressure was 30 then that's when to worry. Cole Institute is with the Cleveland Clinic, but located in a suburb off campus.

Jump to this post

Hi Deborah @deborahfrick123, I'm Rachel. Welcome to Connect. I've been following along and just want to chime in that your friend is absolutely correct. Call your Drs office and clarify your concerns. It's your right as a patient to understand completely, and their job to oblige. You are also entitled to office notes from your visit which you may want for your records or to take to a 2nd opinion visit. I've attached a small statement that may ease your mind a bit while you are trying to figure things out, plus a link to learn more. I'm no Dr and neither is Google so its important to do your research, speak with your Dr again, and advocate for yourself, which you are clearly doing by joining Connect and learning as much as possible. I wish you the best of luck.
Rachel
https://www.glaucoma.org/gleams/high-eye-pressure-and-glaucoma.php#:~:text=Normal%20eye%20pressure%20ranges%20from,alone%20does%20not%20cause%20glaucoma.
REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @deborahfrick123 "@lioness I hope I can get some answers from him. My friend told me to call..." + (show)
@deborahfrick123

@lioness I hope I can get some answers from him. My friend told me to call his office and say, " I am confused about if 21 and 22 pressure numbers are qualified as glaucoma or not as I am not understanding this determination correctly. " even though he told me (in his office) if my pressure was 30 then that's when to worry. Cole Institute is with the Cleveland Clinic, but located in a suburb off campus.

Jump to this post

@deborahfrick123 I have had open angle Glucoma for years when I lived in Pa and now My opthalmologist told me the pressure should be around 14-16 Mine where 20-21 she takes my pressure Everytime I'm there and they are staying 14-15 .I never heard of pressure at what Dr said I still would go for a 2nd opinion as as possible you don't want to lose your site if it can be prevented

REPLY
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Oct 8, 2020

My eyes feel terrible on lumigan, red, dry, I feel like i didn't sleep, so I called the Dr. to see if i can get a different drop.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.