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.

sixtz4me | @sixtz4me | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @jane8888 "I recommend getting another opinion, too. I was diagnosed with glaucoma 5 years ago. I have..." + (show)
@jane8888

I 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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I am currently using two eye drops, Timolol and Brimonidine. Initially, I found Lantanoprost to be more effective, but unfortunately, I experienced the side effects you mentioned after about five weeks of using it. It's disheartening to know that some patients can tolerate it for over a year before experiencing these dreaded side effects. I am cautiously optimistic that Timolol and Brimonidine will prove to be a better option for me, although it has only been two weeks since I started using them.

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jane8888 | @jane8888 | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @sixtz4me "My new ophthalmologist recently diagnosed me with glaucoma, with pressures measuring 30/32. (I was using prednisone..." + (show)
@sixtz4me

<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>

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Good luck to you. I feel lucky that I was able to use Timolol for 5 years before developing negative symptoms.

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1 reply
sixtz4me | @sixtz4me | Dec 19, 2023
In reply to @jane8888 "Good luck to you. I feel lucky that I was able to use Timolol for 5..." + (show)
@jane8888

Good luck to you. I feel lucky that I was able to use Timolol for 5 years before developing negative symptoms.

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Thank you! God Bless!

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 22, 2023
In reply to @sixtz4me "Thank you! God Bless!" + (show)
@sixtz4me

Thank you! God Bless!

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@sixtz4me, you are wise to get a second opinion and to find a doctor in whom you have confidence. In addition to the useful support you've received from members here, you may also wish to review and join in this related discussion:

- Was just diagnosed with glaucoma, need support!: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/was-just-diagnosed-with-glaucoma-need-support/

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1 reply
sixtz4me | @sixtz4me | Dec 22, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@sixtz4me, you are wise to get a second opinion and to find a doctor in whom..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@sixtz4me, you are wise to get a second opinion and to find a doctor in whom you have confidence. In addition to the useful support you've received from members here, you may also wish to review and join in this related discussion:

- Was just diagnosed with glaucoma, need support!: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/was-just-diagnosed-with-glaucoma-need-support/

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Thank you! Could you move my post to it?

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sixtz4me | @sixtz4me | Jan 6 8:19am

Last week I went for a second opinion on my glaucoma. The test couldn't be completed because my old ophthalmologist's records were needed. I have to go back in 3 months for a field vision test. The doctor expressed concern that the treatment may be overly aggressive and not in the correct order. She confirmed the health of my optic nerves and noted the absence of any thinning. My previous ophthalmologist told me that high eye pressure can be natural for some people and this one concurred. Depending on my records and field vision test results, she might recommend using just one eye drop and would never recommend Durysta injections.

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calygirl84 | @calygirl84 | Feb 2 3:49pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @riflemanz64, you'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about glaucoma. I..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @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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Hi,

My name is Georgia, my eye pressure was 23 in both eyes when I went to the eye Dr. I have an eye infection in one eye, my doctor said he doesn’t think it’s glaucoma, he will do a fuel study in 2 weeks I am concerned any suggestions????

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calygirl84 | @calygirl84 | Feb 5 6:31pm
In reply to @azpowells "Have lived with open angle glaucoma for about 20 years . Using Latanaprost ( Xalatan ),..." + (show)
@azpowells

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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I am so grateful to be reading all of your testimonies.
Ihave started to panic, thinking I may have glaucoma.
My eyes were both at 23 this last visit.
My Doctor doesn’t think I have glaucoma. If I do, I want the correct treatment.

I have a field study coming up in February.
I pray they find out what’s going on.

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jkpoet4629 | @jkpoet4629 | Feb 10 12:41pm

Good luck on your journey. There is a lot a glaucoma specialist can do to lower pressures and avoid vision loss. Not all drops are for everyone. (I had bad reactions to timolol maleate and briminodine) but am currently on dorzolomide and lumigan but will be having laser surgery next month to lower high IOP pressure (34).
It’s been a long journey but vision is precious and worth jumping through all the hoops and inconveniences in the world to preserve.

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