A little local difficulty.

For years now I’ve thought that my COPD was the health condition most likely to stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I had almost forgotten that I also had a lesser problem with glaucoma. Because I received regular treatment and advice from my local eye clinic which I followed to the letter I didn’t consider it serious. However there has been a change, especially with my left eye and I’ve now been given new eye drops which have some unfortunate side effects, one of which includes my ability to drive. For me that is catastrophic, as Puss will tell you, so I’m a bit upset at the moment, but I will be back. 💪xx

[Aingeful]

So sorry to hear that Don. Our condition is bad enough without being restricted this way. Have you anyone who can drive you where you need to go?

[Hidden in reply to Aingeful]

I do yes, I've just become spoilt in being able to do it myself. Wake up time I suppose. 🤔x

[skischool]

Dear Don,does the glaucoma only affect the one eye,from the little info i have gained it would appear you don't need to inform the DVLA unless you are driving a commercial vehicle.glaucoma.uk/care-support/dr...

Please accept my apologies if i am teaching grandad how to suck eggs here and only trying to help if at all possible.I also know you are socially responsible and wouldn't wait for your licence to be suspended if you thought it was dangerous for you to drive.

Chin up old chap.

Ski's and the smelly one

😊😾 x

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Thanks Mike, I've had glaucoma in both eye for donkeys years and have jumped through the DVLA hoop every third year since I hit 70. The 'field test' which they make you take shows up any blind spots you might have and I've not had a problem until recently. Now there has been some deterioration shown up in my left eye so I've been given eye drops that have unfortunate side effects. I didn't know anything about these drops except that have been making me feel lousy, or glaucoma either come to that, so I've been spending some time on Glaucoma UK trying to find out. That's been a real eye opener! (Pardon the pun.)

[skischool in reply to Hidden]

It would appear that the actual drops themselves could be counter productive given the side effects you report but obviously only the opthamologist can give you the rundown on the consequences of not taking them?I do hope a reasonable compromise can be reached as i know how much you value your independence and freedom to travel and i couldn't bear the thought of dolly and sally and puss having to use public transport and they would probably all leave home ensemble?

🙂 x

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

🤣 You are a card! x

[CDPO16 in reply to Hidden]

I wonder if there is an alternative to the new drops Don if they are causing adverse effects. Worth asking your consultant maybe.

[Hidden in reply to CDPO16]

The eye drops are to save me from having the operation which at my age might cause me more problems. There are signs that the side effects might get easier to live with as my body gets used to then. When they first started my head was spinning so fast I couldn’t stand up. They seem to have a mental effect as well as a physical one which I wasn’t expecting.

[CDPO16 in reply to Hidden]

If they caused such severe vertigo I'm not surprised that they had a mental effect too. I do hope that the adverse effects ease as your body adjusts to them especially if they are preferable to surgery. My late paternal grandad had glaucoma but I think that screening and treatments have improved a lot since his day. xx

[Patk1 in reply to Hidden]

I'd ring the clinic Don.perhaps there's an alternative treatment.i do hope so x

[SquirrelsHolt]

Good morning Mr.D and Puss Cat and i can sense how upset this must make you feel. I really can. Being able to drive wherever, whenever with whoever is a luxury we maybe at times do take for granted. Do you have any idea how long you'll be using these drops? Also excuse me for being rather dumb but does it effect both eyes? Oh Mr.D I'm at a loss as to offering any remedies but understand how down in the dumps you're feeling right now. We need to fast forward time to when your little peepers 👀 will behave themselves! 🐿🥜🥜😷xxx

[Hidden in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Good morning SH we haven't met for a while. Yes I would miss not being able to drive, but I realise how lucky I have been to keep going so long. Most people have trouble standing and walking at 90, never mind swanning around in a campervan. In any case it hasn't stopped yet so I might be making a fuss over nothing. 🙄xxx

[sassy59]

I’m so very sorry to hear that dear Don. It must be very upsetting for you. Sending lots of love and big hugs. Xxx🤗💕🤗💕🤗

[Morrison10]

So sorry to hear about this problem, and new medication not good, hope you can get it sorted quickly, your not the sort of person to give in, keep up the fight, and good luck and best regards. I hopefully going to be well enough to drive soon, having my car that hasn’t moved for months, serviced tomorrow. Jean xxx

[Hidden in reply to Morrison10]

Thanks Jean. I was surprised to read that you can still drive if you only have one eye if you can still read a number plate at the required distance. As far as I know my right eye is still in fine fettle.

[Morrison10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes need to be able to read number plate at 20 meters. I have ample opportunity to do that we cars parked in my road.

[CDPO16]

I can understand how much of a blow this is to you. Sending you love and a hug, Carole xxx

[wheezyof]

I'm sorry to know you are having problems with your eyes.

It's not the same as going out but can you borrow talking books from your library? They can be great, even close your eyes and rest them while you listen.When my mother's eyesight began to fail she joined a scheme called Calibre, they loaned talking books free to people with eyesight impairment ,talking books were delivered to her house.

I don't know if they are still around. I think there are other people who loan them to elderly, disabled and eyesight impaired.

I hope the new treatment works so you can get back to driving xxx

[Hidden in reply to wheezyof]

I hadn't considered not been able to read, that would be worse than not driving! I've taken a note of what you say, that might become very useful, thank you. xx

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Sorry to hear you can't drive at the moment but I hope you will be back soon. Have a lovely day and Puss too and take care. 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[cofdrop-UK]

So sorry to hear this Don. I know driving means so very much to you. Hope the medics can come up with a med which suits you better and is effective.Cx

[HollyBoyd]

Aw, Don, that really ls a bummer, especially when you were planning your trips. There are many people who are still driving with only one good eye, so hopefully once the meds settle and you don't suffer from the physical effects you should be okay to drive. Maybe need a visit to optician to check your vision. Wishing you a speedy recovery and back on the road soon xxx😊

[Muglow]

Ho dear! Not good news Don. Keep your chin up & battle on. Easier said than done I know. 🤗💖xxx

[Karenanne61]

Oh Don I am sorry you are low at the moment. I know how tightly we hold onto those things that mean we are independent. I can't offer any advice but I I hope your spirits lift very soon.

[dunnellon]

Don, so sorry to hear of your dilemma. You probably already have asked the doctor if these side effects are normal, if they'll subside and/or if there is a different drug for treatment. My brother has the same diagnosis, but here in the states you're allowed to drive with one good eye. There are limitations and requirements and he avoids the super highways. I really hope this works out for you and you're singing with Willy Nelson..."Back on the Road Again"!🚗🎸🎵

[Hidden in reply to dunnellon]

It was just the shock,like getting a punch when I wasn’t looking. Now I know the score I think I’ve been given the best option. 🙂

[Thepainterswife]

Sorry to hear this Don , let’s hope the new meds do the job and become easier to live with or you’re offered an alternative 🤞Early days yet so keep your chin up 😊xx

[Izb1]

Well that must have been a shock for you Don to say the least. I would ask you eye doctor if this medicine is really the one that you should be on, given the side effects. I dont have alot of faith in the eye hospital, my Mum had glaucoma and had her eyes checked regular, but when her eyesight started failing they found a mass behind one of her eyes that had been there quite a while, beggars belief that they didnt notice it. I was also diagnosed with glaucoma and put on Timoptol but after 6 months a different doctor said that I didnt have glaucoma and took me off them ?? So question everything and make sure you are satisfied with the answers. I really hope you dont have to give up driving, its a big part of being independant, but if you do there are other ways round it, just not as convenient x

[leo60]

Oh Don! I am gutted for you😡 I do so hope they can sort it out soon, I know how much you love and value your driving. Very different, but my Dad is not allowed to drive due to ever more frequent seizures, and I know how upset that has made him. He feels really angry that he is not allowed to be in charge of something as "simple" as a car, when he used to be a helicopter test pilot! It has knocked his independence although he quite likes not being able to take his turn as nominated driver 😜 I am about to take myself off the road due to a cataract needing doing. I have been putting it off as I am worried the waiting time will be lengthy😱😱 Keep your pecker up Don, you will get there soon 😘 Much love xx

[Morrison10]

Hi Don, been thinking....year or two ago was prescribed medication that had difficult side effects, was supposed to take 4 tablets per day. Cut it down to one per day, and my body gradually got use to them, increasing dose until taking the 4 prescribed. Is there anyway you come minimise use of new eye drops, hope so, and good luck. Jean xx

[Hidden in reply to Morrison10]

That is a very good idea, thank you. I don't think there's any scope for doing that with these eye drops though, I'm just going to have to stick with them hoping it gets easier. xx

[Hidden]

Thinking about you Don. I hppe that it all gets better.X

[HungryHufflepuff]

Oh no, what a shock this must be for you, especially having just passed your advanced driving test thing. It is so awful when a medication does a good thing (like preventing you needing surgery) but takes back something else. There so often seems to have to be a trade-off. Hopefully you'll be able to drive again, for your own sake, and for the sake of Puss and knitted friends, and us all who love sharing in your adventures. 🚗🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

[Threecats]

Good morning Don, I was very sorry to read about your eye problems and the added side-effect of the drops. Having just had a bout of vertigo myself you have my sympathies with that side-effect😵‍💫As for driving, my late father-in-law lost the sight in one eye very suddenly due to a detached retina but the DVLA allowed him to continue driving with one eye, which he did very successfully for many years after, I hope the drops work and you can continue to use both eyes but I thought it worth mentioning as a possibility if not.

I hope the side effects ease soon, All the best to you and Puss, TC

[Hidden in reply to Threecats]

Thank you, reading about your father-in-law's experience did help. I won't know whether my new eye drops are working or not until my next appointment with my consultant, The lost of vision in my left eye is only apparent you me when they do a field test. The worst of the side effects are already beginning to ease. Thanks for your support, what a great bunch of people we have here. 😀

[Cloudancer]

Thinking of you and sending huge hugs.I can well understand your distress and concern as I recently lost partial vision in one eye after a stroke.

I hadn't t taken time to be thankful for everything we do using both eyes until they didn't work as expected.

I do hope that the vertigo has now settled Don.

Lots of great advice from previous posts -do let us know how you get on.x

[Hidden in reply to Cloudancer]

Thank you, I panicked a bit, first on hearing of the deterioration in my sight and then by the totally unexpected dramatic effect the eye drops had. Now that I've calmed down and discussed the matter with Puss, we've agreed to wait until the side-effects have eased off before venturing out again, carefully.

[bridgeit]

Hi Don, I've just read your post and the replies. I'd like to offer the following which might be either useless or helpful, depending upon where you're at with your lung condition.I have no medical training and can speak only from experience.

I know that there is a procedure that can be carried out to negate the glaucoma and remove the need for drops. You might already know about this. It's called a trabeculectomy. This is not to be confused with a trabeculoplasty, which is achieved by lasers and, in my mum's experience, was largely ineffective.My mother had chronic glaucoma from her mid-70s and eventually a double trabeculectomy, each eye, at the age of 90. Her eyes were great afterwards. She had the ops because the eye drops had a cumulative and very bad effect on her eyes over the years. She had the ops privately and the care provided was exceptional. The NHS wouldn't consider undertaking it at her age; not cost effective.

The work cost just under £6000 per eye and her specialist was carefully selected by us. He is brilliant. I can provide details about precisely who and where if you're interested; the location is Cambridgeshire.

I know that with COPD there may be issues with anaesthetics, but a local might possible if it's being managed with care by an expert ophthalmic surgeon who specializes in glaucoma and corrective procedures.

This is just a thought for you to consider, maybe a gleam of light in the dark for you to ponder.

Wishing you all the best.

[Hidden in reply to bridgeit]

That is really good to know, thank you. I've been reading about the 'trab' operation and it became obvious that it was the procedure that my consultant was trying to avoid me having because of my age. My original consultant was a gentleman who had looked after my eyes for many years. He was trying to monitor the rate of deterioration and had concluded that I would be about 105 before it cause me serious problems, at present, but it needed watching.My new consultant sees me as a doddery old man who needs to be spoken to in simple terms, and since English is obviously not her first language, and we are wearing masks that was difficult. I was given a piece of paper which proved to be a prescription for the dreaded drops. I will carry on with the drops and see what happens at my next appoint.

[B0xermad]

That's a real shame don,let's hope you feel able to get back to normal soon

[Jansybelle]

So sorry to hear this, Don, especially as you had just got your camper van ready. I was wondering why I hadn’t seen anything from you lately, no poems. Do hope things get sorted out well for you and you can get on the road again. All best wishes.

[Alberta56]

Dear Don, So sorry to hear this. I hope you will soon be back on the road again. xxxx

[LissacFrance]

My wife had awful problems with first drops she ever had from opthalmo. A useless individual who did not listen. Take the time to ask your eye specialist and (hopefully) avoid damage to your eyes.

Take care,

Chris.

[Fruitbat2]

Sorry to hear that Don, I hope things improve for you,

[helenlw7]

I’m so sorry to here that Don. My husband has glaucoma but, so far, is still able to drive.

[watergazer]

Sorry to hear how the change of eye drops affect your ability to drive. I know getting out and about in your car and camper are something you like to do along with Sally Dolly and Puss. I hope this can be resolved. I know my own dad became depressed when he had to stop driving due to his sight. Keep posting. Sending you big hugs and I hope this is a blip until you become used to the drops. 🤗🤗🤗

[BreatheasyBe]

Oh Don thinking of you and understand that driving is our freedom with our otherwise restricted mobility. Let’s hope you’re eyes recover soon. X

[Spoticus]

So sorry for you . I would hate to not be allowed to drive although reading some of your replies it looks like there is hope that your eyes may get used to the drops. My Mum had an Operation for Glaucoma , it was all very rushed as she became really unwell one day and we were amazed that it was an eye condition. She also had Emphysema which because of the urgency didn’t stop her having the operation. It was very successful, will they not consider that for you or is it not an option. Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Spoticus]

There is an operation but it is not a guaranteed cure and the recovery takes quite a time, so because of my age it is best avoided. So I need to get my body used to dealing with the side effects of these drops to enable me to carry on. 🙂

[Alice70]

Sorry to hear that Don ,as if we haven't got enough to deal with our lungs ,hopefully things will get a improve with your eye ,take care

[Stratos20]

Oh dear that’s not great news. You are a glass half full person though Don, so positive thinking is the way forward. Hopefully you’ll get there. Sending good vibes. Diane 😊

[garshe]

So sorry Don.hopefully you will be back driving again soon. Hate losing our independence xxSheila 🙌👍👍💕

[corriena]

Im so sorry to hear that. Hopefully it will be temporary and the way the fule prices are goung ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ it will give you time to save up the 💰to go on your summer jaunts 🚐⛽️£££££, 🌞

[Ergendl]

So sorry to hear that your eye problems are stopping you from doing some of the things you love.