Glaucoma

[Killearn Kitties]

How frightening! I'm very glad to hear that your first surgery has been so successful. That must be such a weight off your mind. I hope things continue to go well for you.

[Pam]

Marigold2, good for you keeping regular appointments with your ophthalmologist. Glaucoma truly is a silent disease and often is detected only on routine exams. I work for an ophthalmologist and he specializes in glaucoma. We see many people with this disease and the important thing is to be diligent with drops and faithfully keep appointments. I wish you continued improvement!

[Laura's Babies]

I have glaucoma also. There are PILLS you can take too? My eyes hurt all the time and even new glasses are not helping with the pain anymore. The doctor will only give me 1- 30 day supply of the drops and working like I do, I am out more than I have it. I went for tests on my eyes last week and he was late so I got fed up and rescheduled.

I was thinking about asking about that laser eye surgery, thinking that would get rid of the problem... It don't? Obviously not.. Drats!

What is the name of those pills, I'd like to research them on the internet.

[Marigold2]

Hi again,

Yes I worked for an ophthmologist as well. three years. He did my first laser surgery with the argon laser, it hurt like hell. So so painful. This new laser I had on 11/15 uses cool light instead of hot to punch holes in the mesh. A lot less painful. Of course the two Valium I took before hand didn't hurt either. I was on the pills Diamox Sequels 500mg for two years. My glucoma specialist told me that these pills can cause liver and or kidney problems if taken for extended periods. If I was 70 she would leave me on them but being only 48 not such a good idea. I now take my Trusopt three times a day. I have tried all the drops and nothing really helped. Having worked for an eye Dr I was always getting my pressure checked or worring about getting my pressure checked. If your Dr says you are a good canidate for the laser I would recommand it as it will lower the pressure and perhaps you will be able to stop taking any meds, for me that is not the case. Good luck to you. You are in my thoughts. Monica

[Laura's Babies]

Thanks for the info.

[Pam]

Hi again,

Yes I worked for an ophthmologist as well. three years. He did my first laser surgery with the argon laser, it hurt like hell. So so painful. This new laser I had on 11/15 uses cool light instead of hot to punch holes in the mesh. A lot less painful. Of course the two Valium I took before hand didn't hurt either. I was on the pills Diamox Sequels 500mg for two years. My glucoma specialist told me that these pills can cause liver and or kidney problems if taken for extended periods. If I was 70 she would leave me on them but being only 48 not such a good idea. I now take my Trusopt three times a day. I have tried all the drops and nothing really helped. Having worked for an eye Dr I was always getting my pressure checked or worring about getting my pressure checked. If your Dr says you are a good canidate for the laser I would recommand it as it will lower the pressure and perhaps you will be able to stop taking any meds, for me that is not the case. Good luck to you. You are in my thoughts. Monica

I'm glad that you are so knowledgeable about your disease although very sorry that you have this. My position is that of receptionist and medical transcriptionist so I basically learn from what I type and from overhearing conversations. I am familiar with Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty but there is something else called Argon Laser Trabeculectomy. I have never asked what the difference is. Do you know? Laura's Babies, I am so sorry that you are also a glaucoma patient. For anyone reading this thread who is overdue for an appointment with their eye doctor I hope this will prompt you to make that call and schedule an appointment. It is also particularly important for patients with diabetes to maintain regular eye appointments.

[Laura's Babies]

Pam, the material I picked up was on the selective laser trabeculoplasty.. I don't know anything about any of them and I just picked up this brochure at the doctors office a few days ago.

[Marigold2]

Hi Pam,
Like you I also worked front office and I did insurance. Always fun. However the Dr I worked for went into great detail if you had a question, any question was followed by a 10 minute discussion where you learned more then you wanted or needed usually. On Fridays I was often the only person in the office so I had to know a bit about the meds, take all the emergency calls and then pass those messages along to the Dr who would then come in if needed. I remember that the first laser I had three years ago used the hot light, and the new one uses a cool light. Much better. Their actual full name I am not sure about now. Most patient start on drops and their pressure goes down to a nice 15 or 16, not in my case, with pills and drops everyday I was still hitting 32. So scary.
You are so right about people with diabetes. We take our eyesight for granted and it is so precious. Thank you for your kind support. I am sure you are a great comfort to all the patients.
To Laura there are websites you can go to for extra info.