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8 on Optic Nerve damage chart caused by Glaucoma?

Posted , 7 users are following.

chuck62520
chuck62520

I have had Glaucoma for a bunch of years and have tried to keep my IOP down as low as possible.  During this time I did not know much about my cupped optic nerve damage.  After some nasty IOP increases resulting from a cataract procedure my right eye pressure jumped into the 40s!   This led to an emergency operation with an Ahmed Implant.  Both eye pressures are now at 14.  I am presently on three types of drops and had hoped to discontinue some of them with the good IOP news.  Instead I got a very worrisome newsflash saying my right eye is now at level 8 on a Glaucoma chart with 12 being blindness.  Very worried and seeking advice.  Thank you for listening.

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • lester90053
    lester90053 chuck62520

    Posted

    How many opinions have you gotten from opthalmologists?
    • chuck62520
      chuck62520 lester90053

      Posted

      Have appointment on Feb. 22 with Glaucoma surgeon.  Have researched a bunch and do not see evidence of what an 8 on the Glaucoma progression chart really means.
  • samantha1970
    samantha1970 chuck62520

    Posted

    I’ve not heard of a glaucoma chart - can you advise more information on the chart please?
  • chuck62520
    chuck62520

    Posted

    On the wall in my Optometrists's office is a series of optic nerve pics with assigned numbers of progression.  One being slight cupping and thinning and 12 being blindness.  If you Blackle/Google Glaucoma chart you will see similar charts.

  • samantha1970
    samantha1970 chuck62520

    Posted

    Can you send me a link - either here or in a private message please? I’ve had glaucoma since I was 25 (known I’ve had it but likely had it before) I’m 47 now and seen by one of the worlds top specialists. In all my years no one ever mentioned a glaucoma chart. Many thanks
    • chuck62520
      chuck62520 samantha1970

      Posted

      Thanks for the response, Samantha.  You give me some hope with your good fortune.  Google Galucoma Progression  chart and look for the chart that has pictures of optic nerves.  That particular chart comes fairly close to the one on my Optometrist's wall.

    • samantha1970
      samantha1970 chuck62520

      Posted

      Ok I think I see what you mean in a DDLS  chart 1-10 and also a cupping progression chart. To be honest I do think that keeping on top of the management of glaucoma is the most important aspect of this illness. I have narrow angle glaucoma.

      Ive been on every drop known (at least it feels like it) in the last 20 years. I’m now on 4 different types of drops a day and have been for years. In March this year I had a clear lens extraction (cataract op with no cataract) in order to open a bit of space and low and behold ended up in the 1-2% who get a post op macular odema. Which was treated unsuccessfully by the glaucoma specialist. My case has been the subject of discussion at many international conferences as I defy the normal rules and can still read 20/20 on a chart. Recently I couldn’t get my eye drops in the country I live in so I went and met an old doc of mine who did an OCT and checked current status for me foc. He showed my charts (I keep copies of everything) to a retinal specialist who knows my situation and he added more medication (NSAID and another 2 anti inflammatory dropsso now I’m using 6 drops and the oral powder over the two weeks holiday period). I can honestly say in the last few days since I started on Sunday I feel like my vision in the affected eye has improved - I feel like the swelling must be going down and vision is better. I can read more easily out of the eye and I’ve started using it more. 

      Its strange how things work. 

      My regular glaucoma doc is out of country at the moment, hopefully when I see him in a couple of weeks he will be surprised with the changes.

      What I’m trying to say is don’t give up hope. In the last 20 years all doctors I’ve seen say I have one of rarest forms of glaucoma but they have kept it under control (slowed down the progression of deterioration/sight loss). There is hope.

       

    • samantha1970
      samantha1970

      Posted

      Where are you based? If London I can recommend some good doctors for you.
    • chuck62520
      chuck62520 samantha1970

      Posted

      Thanks again, Samantha.  I am in WA state in the USA.  I have great faith in the Glaucoma surgeon who did my Ahmed implant to lower my pressure from 40s, now down to 14.  Have a consult with him on Feb. 22.

      Sincerely hope your 20/20 continues.

    • mike93128
      mike93128 samantha1970

      Posted

      Hi Samantha

      I am looking for a top specialist for my glaucoma.  Would you share the name and location of your doctor?

      I was diagnosed 3 years ago and continue to have high pressure.  I have been seeing specialists in the

      Atlanta, GA area.  These specialists have had mixed results with keeping my pressure down and now

      I have a swollen eye that looks infected/inflamed.  After 2 MRI's (one checking for cancer and the second one checking for vascular issues) they still have no answers.   I would appreciate any info you can share.

      Mike in Atlanta

    • carl2347
      carl2347 mike93128

      Posted

      Hi Mike93128 Have you checked out the Emory Eye center in Atlanta? 

      I  was diagnosed with advanced glaucoma last February. My eye pressure was 68 and although I've lost all my periphial and my central vision is tunnel and steamy and dark Dr. Anastasios Costarides at Emory (1365 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta) has brought my IOP down to < 20 and holding, after the laser treatment. 

      Here's the link  http://eyecenter.emory.edu/faculty/costarides.htm

      Good luck  

    • samantha1970
      samantha1970 mike93128

      Posted

      Hi Mike,

      I know doctors i trust in uk and the Middle East, but sadly not USA. I had a steroid injection in my eye a couple of weeks ago and this has made a difference so far visually for me reducing the oedema in my left operated eye. When I go back after summer I’ll get another one. I actually feel like I’m using my eye again which is great. Doctor is considering the clear lens extraction on my right eye if the steroids work.

      sorry I can’t help on USA specialists.

      samantha 

  • samantha1970
    samantha1970 chuck62520

    Posted

    Ps, with the look of my optic nerve, for 20 years everyone has wondered how I’m not blind in one eye - I’m told the vision should be 1% - For me it’s at about 70% to my other eye and I hit 20/20 on vision tests. 
  • arlene50875
    arlene50875 chuck62520

    Posted

    Wow, so the cataract surgery raised your pressure OMG I'm so sorry. I have to have laser iridotomy again after a yr and half. Didn't work last time. Back then dr wanted to do cataract surgery. I wasn't having it. So even though my pressure is 17 in each eye due to the eye drops, I have to have the laser torture again.

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