Some help needed.

[Oneurope]

Hey all. Just joined. Am 44 and been diagnosed with glaucoma after a steroid reaction after a vitrectomy and the pressure in my left eye going to 55!! The outside glare is terrible but indoors I am relatively normal.

I just need some advice in general about what to do and how to stop feeling so rubbish!

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Oneurope and welcome to the forum. Everyone here is very helpful and friendly and I am sure they will respond to your post soon.

A few members have mentioned that Cocoon antiglare glasses work really well, so it might be worth you checking out the website.

[Vich81]

Hello. It’s hard when you first get diagnosed with something to accept ‘the new normal’. When you say you feel rubbish, do you mean the physical or mental side of rubbish? I am 40 but I’ve had glaucoma since 23 and I too had a pressure of 55, a few times! A doctor will never confirm it but I think a nasal steroid spray was the main factor in me developing glaucoma. What sort of treatment are you on? It’s still early days so I would think your doctor has worked on bringing that pressure down. The glare is a killer. Im only getting to the stage where an ok pair of sunglasses is just not enough so I’m currently looking at options for outside and for when I’m working at my pc. Talk to people around you but don’t feel like you can’t reach out to groups such ch as this. Glaucoma is worrying yes but luckily for us it’s not life threatening. Always take your medication and never miss a hospital appointment, not even for work.

[Oneurope in reply to Vich81]

It’s the more mental side. Especially since before my vitrectomy and associated steroids I was fine outside. Indoors is great but becoming a bit of a recluse.

[Vich81]

There’s no denying it’s a head waster. Although it might not have been the easiest for me, sometimes I’m glad in a way that I was diagnosed in my twenties as no matter what, I don’t think I dwelled on it all the time as I was too busy with all the other things in my life back then. However, if I had been diagnosed now, I think I would have struggled. I mean we have just come through a pandemic! You are bound to feel bad. It’s harder to pull yourself out of something the longer it goes on. Do you work? It’s easy to stay in if we don’t have to go out. I WFH so I always need to push myself. Maybe visit your opticians and see what they advise on good eyewear?

[Oneurope]

I’m WFH as well and inside isn’t a problem :). It’s the whole being outside thing. It’s the anxiety of having to wear more eyewear that’s the thing. I’ve just had a new complex prescription (well being made for me) so it’s not the best.

Medication you mentioned earlier and I ignored it. Sorry. Cosopt eye drops.

[hearhear]

Hello Oneeurope- Your question has links to mine here today. Each set of drugs or procedure can cause another eye effect it seems!I am seeing an acupuncturist soon, so might also suggest that to you? - they always calm my nerves at the very least. Chinese medicine links the liver to the eyes, so there may be some dietary adjustment that helps it e.g..- beetroot, leafy veggies . I take lots of supplements including an eye complex now.

Hearhear