29 yr old glaucoma suspect, so scared :(
Posted , 16 users are following.
I've always had bad eyesight but did not think too much about it. I just went to local optometrists to get new glasses/contact lens prescriptions every year, and nothing ever came up. No family history of eye diseases (other than my mother and my younger sister also having nearsightedness, though mine is the worst) and my eyesight has been stable for past 7+ years.
I went in for my usual annual check up two weeks ago, and the optometrist told me I may have glaucoma in my left eye. She said she sees cupping in the digital retinal image. She didn't mention IOP, but when I checked the papers later, both eyes were 21 mmHg. I started gathering previous paper works (been to multiple optometrists due to insurance change, living in USA), and for some reason, my IOP wasn't written down last year, and in 2015 they were around 14-17 mmHg. So at this point, I don't know when my IOP changed. I just know my eyesight didn't change.
The optometrist I saw didn't explain or tell me anything - just gave me a piece of paper that said "glaucoma suspect" and told me to see a specialist. I basically came home and cried, because I was so scared after Googling what that means. I made an appointment with an opthalmologist who has a fellowship in glaucoma last week, but the earliest he is available is 1/8. So I have been stressing out past two weeks, symptom searching (now I feel like I have symptoms that I have never noticed before, can't tell if I have them or I'm making them up). I still have 10 days left until I can see the doctor.
I'm just scared. I am an overall healthy person, regularly exercising, relatively eating healthy (though this I could do better). Husband and I just recently decided we would try for our first baby, and now I'm questioning if I will be able to have a baby while protecting my vision and be able to see long enough to raise the child. I always been excited to become a mom, and now I'm just scared and uncertain about having a child, living my life, etc.
Has anyone had successful pregnancy/birth with glaucoma? Did you use meds/get surgery or didn't get treatment until after giving birth?
What questions should I ask the doctor during my first appointment? Any tips/advice?
0 likes, 23 replies
livvy43818 sue76374
Posted
sue76374 livvy43818
Posted
Hi Livvy,
I went to the doctor and after doing a whole bunch of tests (two or three different types to measure eye pressure, visual field test, etc), he said my pressure is well within the normal range, normal visual field test result, and no obvious nerve damage from looking at it. The doctor also said the cupping looks to be a physiological difference between my two eyes and nothing more - and basically told me I don't have glaucoma. I still plan on going to him on annual or biannual basis and pay extra to get all the tests done just in case, but to my relief, I was told I'm off the hook.
I haven't thought much about my eyes since then, but I kept some habits I generated during the scare such as wearing my sunglasses whenever I'm outdoors, eating more fruits/veggies, trying to give my eyes more frequent breaks, etc.
livvy43818 sue76374
Posted
Wonderful to hear your excellent news! What a relief for you! I came across this post after being told by my optometrist yesterday I was a glaucoma suspect due to large cupping in optic nerve. This, of course, has me a little shaken. My IOP was 10 and 12- normal. She ordered additional glaucoma tests, but they aren't until late June. Ack! The wait! Anyway, thrilled to hear your story has a happy ending! I'm only 37 and hope mine does, too!
sue76374 livvy43818
Posted
I know how that feels. I'm sure your result will be the same as mine! Your IOPs are way lower than mine even.
I'm slightly more paranoid about my eyes ever since the scare, which made me notice abnormalities (e.g. glare, floaters, etc) more. I always have to remind myself that I always had those abnormalities (pretty much always had bad eyesights, which resulted in all of the usual annoying symptoms) and that I shouldn't stress out so much. Annoying, but still grateful that my tests came out negative and praying things will stay that way for a long long long time.
palooz sue76374
Posted
Hi, did what happened at your appointment? What was the diagnosis?
SallyAva sue76374
Posted
Hi, i also have glaucoma, i'm 54 now, 55 in Sept, i have been using 2 different lots of drops, 2 in the morning and 1 at night for well over 10 years as my pressures were over 29 but are now down to 17-18 on average, i'm very relieved the opticians found this out when they did, i do not feel any different to anyone else and we are ever so very lucky to be living in this day and age where things were different when there was no treatment, it is anxiety provoking i know, i havn't lost hardly any vision, i think a little in my left eye which i don't notice but seems to come up when i have my field tests done, i see my consultant around every 7-8 months for an exact pressure measurement, i feel glad that they have saved my vision and i always tell my children to have regular eye tests because apparantly it's highly hereditary as my brother and sister also have glaucoma which is well stabilised and they are both older than me. So try not to worry because it is treatable even if you were found to have had it. I have also just had cataract surgery on my left eye with a corrective lense for distance and now waiting to have my right eye done quite soon, i feel very priveliged that we can have this modern treatment, i think it's amazing but i know it's worrying having stuff done to your eyes, i was very anxious but happy with the outcome. All the best and take care xx
mady301 sue76374
Posted
The best long term prognosis is early detection and treatment. I have low pressure glaucoma, so it was not caught immediately since my pressure is 18, which is in the normal range. My right eye has some minimal damage, my left eye has no damage. That was 11 years ago, and I have not progressed.Follow the treatments exactly, never miss an appt, and you have an excellent chance of preserving your vision for a very long time.
There are 188 clinical trials currently ongoing for Glaucoma. Each year brings new medicines, and surgery options. I doubt there will be a cure in my lifetime, but I believe that I can maintain my vision throughout my lifetime with diligent monitoring and treatments.
You will be OK!
edmil sue76374
Posted
hi sue.
i have similar experience. im 46I went to update my reading glasses last March. I was told to see dr as a precautionary to check for glaucoma. I'm already an anxious nervous person and panicked. I was so nervous I didn't hear her say why.
I went in april. did all tests. was seen by head dr and surgeon. iop was 16. no vision loss . did all tests. he said my optic nerves were asymmetrical. no nerve damage and thinks i may have been born this way. as a precaution follow up year later. I should have asked more questions but I was nervous and happy at same time.
so I couldn't wait full year I came again this month, nine months later. was seen by another dr. iop was 10 and no changes. I asked how healthy are my nerves. she said she there are teenagers with nerves less meaty and full than mine. that made me feel better. she told me not to worry and said come again in a year.
did.you ever see.dr again? I wanted to ask how come this wasn't picked up when I got my first set of reading glasses 8 years ago .