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.

@onamission
Thank you for this information. I'll go to the store tomorrow and buy B1 and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. I have vitamin D3 and magnesiun; also, I have B12.
I'm suffering with stabbing pain in my eyes when I wake up, pressure, dryness and occasionally they itch. My Opthmologist did call me and told me I do not have glaucoma. To use store brought drops and find acumen pads to use. I could not find them and I am using baby shampoo, he told me not to use that, but I have to until I find those acumen pads. I'm just so miserable.

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@deborahfrick123

@onamission
Thank you for this information. I'll go to the store tomorrow and buy B1 and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. I have vitamin D3 and magnesiun; also, I have B12.
I'm suffering with stabbing pain in my eyes when I wake up, pressure, dryness and occasionally they itch. My Opthmologist did call me and told me I do not have glaucoma. To use store brought drops and find acumen pads to use. I could not find them and I am using baby shampoo, he told me not to use that, but I have to until I find those acumen pads. I'm just so miserable.

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Hello @deborahfrick123

I'm sure you are happy that you do not have glaucoma. I can understand your eye discomfort. I also use artificial tears. There are many brands and everyone usually finds one brand that works well for them.

Regarding the acumen pads, I'm wondering if he was thinking about the lid scrub pads that you can buy in the drug store? Take a look at the "eye section" in your local drug store for lid scrubs. Many of them add moisturizer and really feel good when you wipe your lids, especially first thing in the morning.

Dry eyes can be so uncomfortable. I would encourage you to look at a Connect discussion on that topic. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dry-eyes-1/. You will find many members here talking about how they deal with the discomfort of dry eyes.

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@deborahfrick123

@onamission
Thank you for this information. I'll go to the store tomorrow and buy B1 and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid. I have vitamin D3 and magnesiun; also, I have B12.
I'm suffering with stabbing pain in my eyes when I wake up, pressure, dryness and occasionally they itch. My Opthmologist did call me and told me I do not have glaucoma. To use store brought drops and find acumen pads to use. I could not find them and I am using baby shampoo, he told me not to use that, but I have to until I find those acumen pads. I'm just so miserable.

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Search on "the BEST form of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) to Supplement? Detailed Version" on youtube to understand thiamine forms and how they work.

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@hopeful33250

Hello @deborahfrick123

I'm sure you are happy that you do not have glaucoma. I can understand your eye discomfort. I also use artificial tears. There are many brands and everyone usually finds one brand that works well for them.

Regarding the acumen pads, I'm wondering if he was thinking about the lid scrub pads that you can buy in the drug store? Take a look at the "eye section" in your local drug store for lid scrubs. Many of them add moisturizer and really feel good when you wipe your lids, especially first thing in the morning.

Dry eyes can be so uncomfortable. I would encourage you to look at a Connect discussion on that topic. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dry-eyes-1/. You will find many members here talking about how they deal with the discomfort of dry eyes.

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That is great information, I'll read the discussion in the link you sent to me. Every bit of advice I get I find helpful.

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@onamission

Search on "the BEST form of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) to Supplement? Detailed Version" on youtube to understand thiamine forms and how they work.

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@onamission
That's a smart idea, I was wondering what the difference was between B12 and B1. I will go to YouTube and search. Thank you.

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@deborahfrick123

@onamission
That's a smart idea, I was wondering what the difference was between B12 and B1. I will go to YouTube and search. Thank you.

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deborahfrick123, you would benefit from consulting a health care professional such as a nutritionist to evaluate your diet and make recommendations. It's a good idea to always consult with your health care professional before using any supplement.Researching vitamins and minerals will always pay dividends. I found Dr Atkins Vita Nutrient Solutions book written in 1998 to be an easy to understand resource. I'm sure it's available on line. However, similar information is probably available near you. I overlooked including Krill oil to search on for dry eyes.
https://www.practiceupdate.com/content/two-forms-of-omega-3-supplements-for-treating-dry-eye-disease/46207

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@onamission

deborahfrick123, you would benefit from consulting a health care professional such as a nutritionist to evaluate your diet and make recommendations. It's a good idea to always consult with your health care professional before using any supplement.Researching vitamins and minerals will always pay dividends. I found Dr Atkins Vita Nutrient Solutions book written in 1998 to be an easy to understand resource. I'm sure it's available on line. However, similar information is probably available near you. I overlooked including Krill oil to search on for dry eyes.
https://www.practiceupdate.com/content/two-forms-of-omega-3-supplements-for-treating-dry-eye-disease/46207

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@onamission
Hi, I eat pretty good as I follow what my nutritionalist recommended due to my type 2 diabetes. I have been taking vitamins daily for quite some time. And will incorporate the B1, (thiamine) that you suggested. I've been looking up and reading the links that you sent me earlier and I'm finding out some interesting information about combining certain vitamins to help the others absorb properly. Thank you. I'll look into the Atkin' s book too.

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I have just been diagnosed with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma (PXF). I am still in shock as I have had good eye health history and just went to my eye specialist to get my glasses upgraded as I couldn't see where the golf ball landed any more (and not because I was hitting it 300 yards!) and also car headlights had become very glaring over the past six months. She noticed the pressure in my left eye was 28, having been in the normal range up to now. Then when she did my eye test, the right eye was fine but I could only see a faint outline on the chart when she tested my left eye. So straight to emergency to our Eye and Ear hospital and after hours of tests, drops, dilation, the diagnosis was confirmed. Prescribed Xalatan drops initially and follow up appointment with their specialist Glaucoma Clinic. There's no history in our family of Glaucoma and I am concerned to read this form of Secondary Open Angle glaucoma runs a more aggressive course, has a faster rate of progression and has a poor response to medical therapy than Primary Open Angle glaucoma. A lot to take in over an Easter weekend! It sucks but onward and upward to see the specialist and get my Field of Vision assessed and prognosis for the future.

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@maryanne2

I have just been diagnosed with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma (PXF). I am still in shock as I have had good eye health history and just went to my eye specialist to get my glasses upgraded as I couldn't see where the golf ball landed any more (and not because I was hitting it 300 yards!) and also car headlights had become very glaring over the past six months. She noticed the pressure in my left eye was 28, having been in the normal range up to now. Then when she did my eye test, the right eye was fine but I could only see a faint outline on the chart when she tested my left eye. So straight to emergency to our Eye and Ear hospital and after hours of tests, drops, dilation, the diagnosis was confirmed. Prescribed Xalatan drops initially and follow up appointment with their specialist Glaucoma Clinic. There's no history in our family of Glaucoma and I am concerned to read this form of Secondary Open Angle glaucoma runs a more aggressive course, has a faster rate of progression and has a poor response to medical therapy than Primary Open Angle glaucoma. A lot to take in over an Easter weekend! It sucks but onward and upward to see the specialist and get my Field of Vision assessed and prognosis for the future.

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Welcome, Maryanne. I can imagine that being diagnosed with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma (PXF) came as a shock. I'm bringing in @dsh33782 @carolee888 @ew100 @lioness @riflemanz64 @ashby1947 and @azpowells to share their experiences and offer support.

When do you see the specialist?

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@maryanne2

I have just been diagnosed with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma (PXF). I am still in shock as I have had good eye health history and just went to my eye specialist to get my glasses upgraded as I couldn't see where the golf ball landed any more (and not because I was hitting it 300 yards!) and also car headlights had become very glaring over the past six months. She noticed the pressure in my left eye was 28, having been in the normal range up to now. Then when she did my eye test, the right eye was fine but I could only see a faint outline on the chart when she tested my left eye. So straight to emergency to our Eye and Ear hospital and after hours of tests, drops, dilation, the diagnosis was confirmed. Prescribed Xalatan drops initially and follow up appointment with their specialist Glaucoma Clinic. There's no history in our family of Glaucoma and I am concerned to read this form of Secondary Open Angle glaucoma runs a more aggressive course, has a faster rate of progression and has a poor response to medical therapy than Primary Open Angle glaucoma. A lot to take in over an Easter weekend! It sucks but onward and upward to see the specialist and get my Field of Vision assessed and prognosis for the future.

Jump to this post

Welcome, Maryanne. I can imagine that being diagnosed with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma (PXF) came as a shock. I'm bringing in @dsh33782 @carolee888 @ew100 @lioness @riflemanz64 @ashby1947 and @azpowells to share their experiences and offer support.

When do you see the specialist?

REPLY
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