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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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@deborahfrick123 wrote: I did ask the doctor why I should stop drinking tea. He said it dehydrates you because of the caffiene.
And this is the same doctor that said your eye pressure of 22 was OK? This sounds like a person that does not keep up with science. I know this was written in 2020 but everyone reading this should know that in 2023 it has been found that caffiene in amounts found in a cup of tea or coffee does not cause "dehydration" to any appreciable extent. So keep drinking your tea. Someone here wrote that tea is actually helpful for glaucoma. I wish people would put a reference link with facts like that. I will have to research that statement because it sounds encouraging.
<p>My new ophthalmologist recently diagnosed me with glaucoma, with pressures measuring 30/32. (I was using prednisone at the time) In the past, my previous doctor monitored my pressures and optic nerve closely, with pressures consistently in the mid to upper 20's. Despite this, she dismissed it as natural high pressures, emphasizing the importance of the optic nerve. However, upon my first visit to my new doctor, I was diagnosed with glaucoma, advised for laser treatment in both eyes, and prescribed Lantanoprost. The medication worked well at first, but after about five weeks, I had side effects. The doctor recommended having Durysta implant surgery. I feel uncertain about the suggested course of action and worry that my vulnerability is being exploited. Therefore, I am seeking a second opinion. Should I discontinue the drops a day before my appointment?</p>
No reason to discontinue drops. One day will not change nothing
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1 ReactionGood morning
Your eye pressure of 30/32 sounds very high to me. I've been fighting glaucoma for over 30 years now and goal is to keep pressure under 15.
I'm currently on 3 eye drops: Pilocarpine, Dorzolimide, and Rocklatan.
I had not heard about Durysta implant which sounds like it can reduce pressure without eye drops for months. But it is a relatively new treatment and does not reduce pressure for eveyone.
I would be very cautious about having foreign object injected into my eyes, and would recommend first getting second opinion at one of the US recognized eye research centers such as Bascom Palmer or Wills. I've been to Bascom Palmer in Miami several times over the years and they are very good at diagnosing and recommending treatment. They can also provide recommendations on glaucoma specialist graduates working in your area.
My current local optimologist did a fellowship at Bascom Palmer.
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3 ReactionsThank you!
@sixtz4me
Personally I wouldn't do the implant. I'd try other drops first.
Jake
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3 ReactionsI appreciate your response! Indeed, that's precisely why I mentioned that he appeared to be exploiting my vulnerability. He immediately resorted to laser treatment as the initial approach, and the moment the drops proved ineffective, he swiftly moved on to suggesting injections. It feels as though he bombarded me with all these options while I was still processing the shock. I must take responsibility for placing my trust in this so-called "specialist!"
@sixtz4me
Do you have cataracts?
When I had my cataract surgery done, my pressures went back down to normal and I didn't have to use drops anymore but my pressures were nowhere near what yours are. My mom also had cataract surgery, but she had to continue taking her latanoprost.
Good luck to you,
Jake
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1 ReactionI recommend getting another opinion, too. I was diagnosed with glaucoma 5 years ago. I have used eye drops to bring down numbers, highest being 26. I also underwent MIGS, the least invasive treatment I understand. That helped some.
I recently developed some allergic reactions to Timolol (very unusual my opthomologist said) and to brimonidine ( swelling and pinkness around one eye, a lot of itching). It took some time to figure out the culprits. I first thought I was allergic to the preservatives in the eye drops, but that is not the case. I currently use dorzolamide and latanaprost. I get eye pressure checked about every 3 months for this new combination of eye drops.
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1 ReactionI had cataract surgery 7 or 8 years ago. I found out by doing my own research that prednisone increases eye pressures. When I was taking prednisone for tendonitis, my eye pressures rose to 30/32. However, when I switched to Lantoprost, the pressure dropped to 15/17. I'm concerned about my optic nerve's health, but my doctor hasn't provided clear information. I'm going back to my old Dr. in another state for a second.
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