“It” is glaucoma. I was diagnosed 7 years ago, and I’ve been taking daily meds ever since. It’s kind of ironic actually. I get compliments on my eyes all the time - “You have such beautiful eyes!” If only they knew…
I see my opthalmologist every three months if things are going well. If I am experiencing problems of any kind, it’s more often than that. I had an appointment this morning as a matter of fact.
For those of you who don’t know anything about glaucoma, it is characterized by high intraocular pressure. A healthy eye is constantly producing fluid (aqueous humor) that flows between the iris and the lens, and then drains from the eye by way of the trabecular meshwork. In glaucoma patients, this meshwork is defective, therefore fluid backs up inside the eye, creating increased pressure. Think of a balloon. If you continue to blow air into a balloon, eventually it will burst. The eye is too strong to burst, so it has to give at its weakest point - the site where the optic nerve leaves the eye. When the pressure inside the eye builds, the optic nerve cells become compressed, damaged, and eventually die, causing permanent vision loss. Some 3 million people in the US have glaucoma, and half of them don’t even know it.
You can see why it’s so critical for early detection and treatment of glaucoma. As I mentioned, I’ve been treated now for 7 years, and fortunately, I’ve sustained only minimal nerve damage.
A healthy intraocular pressure (IOP) is 18 or below. Unmedicated, my IOP is in the low 30s. With meds, the doctor has been able to keep mine around 20 - until a few months ago. For the past several months, I’ve been in the mid 20s. I’ve been on nearly every glaucoma medication on the market, leaving few options when my body becomes tolerant of the current med. This morning, my doctor decided to add another medication to the mix, hoping that the combination of the “new” med (which is actually one I’ve already been on in the past) and my current med would bring my pressures down. I will take this drug combo for the next three weeks, and then I’ll have my pressures checked again. Hopefully we’ll see some improvement. Surgery is another option that has been mentioned by my doctor, but he wants to put that off as long as possible.
Glaucoma is a part of my everyday life. I take my meds without even thinking about it. It’s just part of my daily routine. I see my doctor regularly, which I don’t mind at all considering that he’s very easy on the eyes (no pun intended). I don’t complain too much about dealing with this disease, but there are a couple of things that I find to be quite disheartening. For the past seven years, I’ve been advised by my doc not to get pregnant. I’m not enthusiastic about getting pregnant anyway, but in the future if I happen to stumble across Mr. Right, it may be something I wish to consider. There is no glaucoma medication that is safe for pregnancy. Being pregnant would mean stopping medication, which is not advised. In extreme cases of high IOP during pregnancy, the doctors may prescribe medication, but only if the benefits of doing so outweigh the risk to the fetus. What a depressing thought. And along those same lines, glaucoma is a hereditary disease. I inherited it from my father, and there’s a pretty good chance that I’d pass it on to a child. Is that something I want to worry about? No. Even though glaucoma is manageable if detected early, it’s not something I’d wish upon anyone - especially my own child. If I meet my soulmate at some point in the future, I’ll have to decide if having children is something I really want to do.
This post has become quite long, so I think I’ll wrap it up. I didn’t write it for sympathy, as that is far from what I want or need. But I’ve spent the better part of the day and night thinking about the future - not just mine, but the future of glaucoma patients everywhere. Is there a cure on the horizon? Will our children have to deal with the pain and inconveniences associated with taking medications and having surgery? Let’s hope that new medical advances will prove to eradicate this disease.
My advice to you - have your eyes checked regularly. A glaucoma test is part of a routine eye exam. Don’t be one of those 3 million people who don’t know you’re afflicted with the disorder. Early detection and treatment is key to preserving your eyesight.
January 31st, 2006 at 4:56 am
Bummer–didn’t realize you were having some problems. Hope the new med combo works out!
January 31st, 2006 at 7:07 am
Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. I’m sure writing this post was difficult at best, but thanks for sharing. I have no doubt that things will work out for the best for you. Keep your chin up and have a good day.
B
January 31st, 2006 at 8:00 am
well, you probably know what medication I would prescribe.
hugs from rayray
January 31st, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Tested last time at the doctor. I’m good to go. Good points to bring up about the children thing. I’m sure you and Mr. Right will work that issue out together. Enjoy your day dear!
January 31st, 2006 at 12:47 pm
New meds, huh? I applaud you for the care you are taking to curb growth.
January 31st, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Wow. I never realized someone so young could suffer from glaucoma. People I’ve known that had it were already in their 70s or later.
Learned something new today!
January 31st, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Although I don’t have glaucoma, I do have extremely poor eyesight, and have worn glasses since I was about 4.
I know the importance of getting your eyes checked.
Anyway, I hope you can keep it all under control Tish…good luck with the new meds!
January 31st, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Tish,
Terrific post…thank you for sharing.
~Kurt
February 1st, 2006 at 11:28 am
Unless I’m having particularly difficult times with my eyes, I tend to visit my doctor only once a year or so. I try to make it an annual thing, just to ensure that I’ve got everything okay in that region.
You bring up a valid concern regarding pregnancy, too. Although I personally don’t feel that what you might pass on inheritance wise is a good excuse to hold off on having children, the fact that you’d have to go off the meds for nine months is. However, consider also that there are a lot of homeless children in the world. Addoption, I hope, isn’t out of the question for you.
February 1st, 2006 at 3:13 pm
AFAIK, there aren’t many alternative treatments for glaucoma; I know that yoga, for example, is contra-indicated because many of the poses increase pressure to your eyes/face/head. So the relaxation benefits don’t reach their targets.
I wonder about accupuncture?
Meds during pregnancy is a big issue. Anti-depressents, blood pressure, and your own meds… what’s a woman to do? Your soul-mate will of course be very supportive of whatever you end up deciding about children.
February 1st, 2006 at 3:41 pm
darling i had no idea!! thanks for sharing, some good information there. and it always makes me more aware when something affects someone i care about. i will make sure i have glaucoma looked into at my next eye exam, lord knows i have enough issues with my eyes already i wouldn’t be surprised….hugs and luvs….
February 1st, 2006 at 11:15 pm
Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share this part of your life with us.
Sometimes it’s good to get things off your chest, so to speak, and blogs are a great way to do it.
I love blogging.
February 2nd, 2006 at 7:37 am
I really hope the meds settle down for you and things are quickly under control. My grandfather had glaucoma, because of which I am now routinely checked. But I hadn’t realised just how serious it could be xx
February 2nd, 2006 at 7:57 am
is that the test where they shoot that puff of air into your eye? i kind of dig that. wish you all the best doll!
and im with ray ray!
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:53 am
I have a slight astigmatism (sp) - not even sure what that means, I just know that my eyesight is awful.
Hope the new meds work!
February 2nd, 2006 at 11:41 am
Tish,
Thanks for this reminder of taking care of ourselves while we’re younger and before problems become too severe.
I admit, I’m lazy about eye tests….as long as my glases are OK, I don’t do it as often I should. Reading what you said, it’s gonna be a greater priority to me.
You rock!
February 2nd, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Tish babe. Hope the new combo works out for you. In any case sounds like you got your head on straight about it. It ain’t gonna stop me from sending you hugs anyway. (((Tish))) I miss you. Did I do something to piss you off? Hope not. Love ya babe.
TG
February 3rd, 2006 at 1:46 am
Wow. as someone who has experienced some eye problems myself, I think that’s a little scary. I’m glad you are monitoring it closely. I wouldn’t be surprised if new medications come along that are safer and more effective.
February 8th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Well, maybe you didn’t write it for sympathy, but I feel bad for you anyway. I didn’t know you had it and I didn’t know what glaucoma was until you explained it. That’s really terrible. I wish they could find a cure. How did they find out you had it?
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