High IOP, bad floaters and possible Glaucoma at 33, absolutely terrified

[sonic_slm]

Hi,

I am 33 and for the last year I noticed the onset of floaters in both eyes, which slowly worsened throughout 2020 and now appear like dirty washing water tumbling around. I went for a full check up and during this check I was told that there was no indication of retinal issues, but I was slammed with the news that my IOP was 'too high'. Over the last 6 months I have had several IOP checks and I always register 25mmhg, 26mmhg. 2 independent doctors have assured me that my nerve looks fine. I did have RFNL OCT and my values were in the 'green' but I have noticed what appears to be a notch in the Nasal Inferior quadrant. As you can probably tell from my post so far, I am becoming absolutely terrified of this. I am convinced Glaucoma is beginning, I am not yet on pressure drops (although I intend to ask for this at my next check). I cannot stop thinking about sight loss and I am beginning to become fixated on this. I guess I am just venting here but also asking for other people's advice, support, insights on having high eye pressure and being in that screening phase.

Thanks for reading.

Sonny

[Jennymary]

Hi Sonny, firstly I have NO MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS, please remember that whilst reading my reply. I'm 58 yrs old, born with glaucoma, I'm 4th generation, been using drops since I was a teenager, I'll also say my mum lived all her 88 yrs with one good eye, she was married for almost 50yrs, brought up 3 children, worked as a touch typist, was able to knit and watch TV at the same time. For me, I had successful cataract surgery at the end of 2015, unfortunately my eye rebelled, needed treatment with steroid drops which my glaucoma doesn't take well too and sadly in October 2017 I lost the vision in one eye, still got decent vision in the other, but due to the level of vision I've got I'm registered blind, something I've always known could happen, with the knowledge I've gained over the years your pressures seem high, but as I stated earlier I've got no medical qualifications, that's something for you to discuss with your doctor, I wish you well,

[sonic_slm in reply to Jennymary]

Hi Jennymary,

Thank you for the kind words and sharing your story. I am sorry to hear that you had complications, but it is nice that you took your time to share your story and that you seem to be in an OK place from what I can gather. I know I am lucky that so far I am only facing high pressures and uncertainty, but that things are still ok for now, I think a lot of my issue is not dealing well with the anxiety that comes with waiting and the unknown. I wish you well also.

[Jennymary in reply to sonic_slm]

Year after year when I had a hospital appt it always crossed my mind is this the visit when I'll be told I've got problems, but it only happened after the cataract surgery, so what I'm been /going through is something I've always known could happen

[Curls1]

Hi I'm sorry that you are having a hard time and understandably worried. I have secondary glaucoma due to iritis and being a steroid responder. I was uncomfortable with the medics who looked after my initial treatment and Trish from the glaucoma society suggested I get a second opinion, ideally from an eye hospital where there are a high number of experts. I'm so glad that I did, I'm now under the care of Bristol eye hospital and the consultants there are amazing. I started by researching local private consultants and paid for an initial tel consultation with my now, glaucoma specialist. A conversation like that might put your mind at rest? Very best x

[Gobaith77]

Hi - very sorry to hear about your situation. I’m not sure if this will help but I have found the mental aspect of dealing with eyesight problems much more difficult than the physical at this stage - I was diagnosed with glaucoma at 43 last August following a routine eye test and had no idea there was a problem. It is very hard to deal with the panic and constant second guessing and worry so please do not be hard on yourself for feeling as you are and it’s ok to do anything you can to help on this front such as getting a second opinion or anything else you feel will help. Good luck

[Rachel_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hi Sonny,

I'm so sorry to hear how worried you are able developing glaucoma. It's great to know that your eye pressures are being monitored regularly. As you probably already know, the only way to know if you have glaucoma is to go for regular eye health checks so you are doing exactly the right thing.

The good news is that if are diagnosed with glaucoma in the future, they will have caught the disease early and with treatment, the damage can be slowed or even stopped in its tracks.

Huge advances in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment now mean that in the UK, the vast majority of people with glaucoma will keep useful sight for life.

Glaucoma UK is here to provide help, information and support to anyone affected by or worried about glaucoma.

If you have questions about glaucoma, our helpline staff are happy to help.

Call 01233 64 81 70 or email [e-mail]

(Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 5:00pm)

Our website also contains lots of useful information which you might find reassuring: glaucoma.uk/

Best wishes,

Rachel