Advanced Glaucoma....worried sick...

[Noelhoney]

Sadly as my eyes and vision were ok I'd not had an eye test for quite a while..

Recently I woke up to see that my left eye vision was strange, had to wait 8 hours before ending up in hospital to be told I had Acute Narrow Angle Glaucoma attack which has damaged the eye...I now see a grey smudge in my vision and cannot read text with the left eye....Now my right eye vision seems blurred...I am now on eye drops...Alphagan, Azargar and Lanatoprost....after another visit to the hospital it's confirmed as Advanced Glaucoma...I am Petrified of my vision deteriorating now...what is the long term aspect for me...I'm 63 and have a long time ahead to deal every day with this nightmare....what choices do I have to lead a fairly normal life..

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Noelhoney.

It may not seem this way at the moment but the good news is that your glaucoma has been diagnosed and treatment has begun. The eye drops will help lower your eye pressure. This will in turn reduce the risk of anymore damage being done and help you keep the vision you have. You will be closely monitored and if, at any time your consultant feels that further action is needed to control your glaucoma they will act upon it.

[prassud]

Hey Noelhoney,

Sad to hear about it, I have gone through same phase last year, only my central vision is clear rest all are smudged

It took me longer time than what I thought it would be, to accept the fact and move on, what I understood during this hard time, is to move on, don't loose your will power. Strictly follow the medication

I don't want to share it but I am 27, how I came out of this fear was, looking at the people who are worser than me,

Hope fully sometime in future our great scientist will find out a solution

[Hidden]

Hello, I recognise the pattern of discovery, concern and fear very well having gone through something very similar over ten years ago in my mid-40s. My advice is try to get a good consultant who is open to discussion and that you trust - depending on your healthcare arrangements this can be a bit of pot luck but most I have dealt with in the NHS have been great. Make sure you strictly follow your treatment regime, drops etc but ask questions about any concerns you have. It seems that whilst there are definite treatment strategies, it’s not an exact science and varies by person. I have lost some field of vision but currently still manage to function capably (ie ‘normally’) and although my condition is current stable I think it’s natural to worry about future issues, for example my next driving field assessment is due next year. The key is not to let the concern become all consuming. Finally, it’s absolutely true that once the diagnosis is made you are in a much much better position to preserve the remainder of your vision. Best of luck.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi I’ve been recently diagnosed I’m so scared. I’ve been put on lantanprost and will be seen again in 3 months. I passed the field vision test as well. They say people who can see now with treatment will probably not lose sight in their lifetime. I really can’t cope. How do you cope. Is your life normal still. Sorry for messaging x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Julie, no need to be sorry for messaging. When I was first diagnosed it was out of the blue and a complete surprise to me so was a massive shock in so many ways. I was scared and strangely embarrassed as well because it was like a weakness that I didn’t want people to know about. The good news is that for the vast majority of people there is lots that can be done to keep a stable situation - most do well on drops but some, myself included need a bit of a surgical intervention as well. Again, this is worrying but in truth very common with good outcomes. There are lots of periods of time when I don’t really think about it but it’s always there and even daily drops remind me, but you grow used to living with the condition. For the vast majority of people once you know you’ve got it you know that it can be managed. My life remains normal and I’m still doing everything I’ve ever done. My only concern is the next renewal of my driving licence and associated field test next year, but I worried about that last time and the time before too. I can’t say that you’ll stop worrying but I do think you stop being scared.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Scortonman63 Thankyou for replying to me when we’re you diagnosed and at what age if you don’t mind me asking. You have made me feel loads better and this support group is Amazing. I’ve been googling loads and of course the worst comes up. I’m glad you can still drive. You have given me better hope. Thankyou so much

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was diagnosed in my mid 40’s and I’m 57 now. Those internet searches can scare you way more than you need to be but we all do it - myself included. I actually had quite a lot of optic nerve damage by the time I was diagnosed with some associated field vision loss and I’m still doing ok. If you’ve been caught earlier than me then this should give you even more room for optimism but it’s key to follow the advice of your consultant and be strict with yourself re use of drops etc. My experience of hospitals in the NE, including Sunderland where my current consultant works from has been excellent and I’ve no reason to think it’s different anywhere else. There’s a lot of great support for you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou again Scortonman63. Down South is the same wonderful NHS. Sorry you have optic nerve damage as well. You seriously are doing good though that’s really inspiring. Thankyou

[Fanen in reply to Hidden]

Be calm it is well

[Wales99]

Hi. I totally understand how you feel. I was diagnosed early October & I’m still freaking out a bit. Hidden is right though - you have to try and not let it be all consuming. My vision is quite bad in my right eye and I went for annual eye tests because it’s in my family and it wasn’t picked up so don’t beat yourself up for not having your eyes checked. As others have said as well don’t be scared to ask your consultant questions. You can always phone the Glaucoma UK helpline as well. I might be wrong Trish_GlaucomaUK but I don’t think the helpline staff are able to answer medical questions but they can reassure you. Take care & stay safe. 😊

[Noelhoney]

Thanks for all your comments.....what's concerning me is the pain I'm getting in the eye and into my head....it's really getting me down, also the flickering light in my vision....hoping that it will all eventually subside....I feel for you all going through your own vision problems....we all need to support each other...

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Noelhoney, If you are experiencing pain and flickers of light in you vision who should go to the A & E today if possible. This could be a sign that the eye pressure is not being controlled and will need checking. Warning signs for an acute attack can be halos around light, sickness and extremely bad headaches. Please don't leave it.

[Noelhoney in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Trish....I was at A&E day before yesterday and all pressures were fine, they have given me Pazital for headaches and said they should subside, also the flickering light would go...it's all symptoms of the untreated condition, now it's being treated it will take a while to settle...the headaches are most probably migraines with ocular disturbances...Brgds Noel

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Glad the examination showed the pressures were fine. I hope the discomfort and flickering vision subsides soon.