referral worries

[Burrrito23]

hi everyone

Im hoping for a bit of insight as my husband was recently referred for suspected glaucoma. The optician wrote in the referral that his CD ratios were 0.60 and his visual field test was normal on the right and unreliable on the left. She also states that his right ONH looks glaucomateous and elongated.

Anyway she said not to worry but I’m freaking out a bit as my husband needs to drive etc for work. Im also aware of long waiting lists to be seen and this is really concerning me. I would appreciate any insight at all.

[Cornwalleyes]

until he has seen a consultant try not to worry, you can legally drive with one eye as long as you pass the tests. The really good thing is it seems it has been spotted early so your husband can get the right treatment. Mine was diagnosed five years ago and I’m still fine to drive, others on here will have had it for much longer.

[Burrrito23 in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Thanks for this. He did say the optician said it’s only slight and he’s not the type to worry but I’ve found it very difficult. Hopefully he will see the consultant soon and will have a better idea of what’s going on. He last had an eye test 3 years ago and everything was fine so it’s all been a bit of a shock

[LondonStadium]

Hi I agree with previous reply that until you've seen the consultant try not to worry , I personally think if your husband was in any immediate need of treatment he would have been referred and seen quicksharp , as for driving I'm sure he will be fine ,anyways good luck and try not to worry

[Pley]

My CD ratings are 0.79 and 0.81 and I'm still driving. My glaucoma was diagnosed just over 10 years ago. I've always followed all the advice my consultant gave me. Hope it all goes well for you.

[Burrrito23 in reply to Pley]

Yea apparently some people just have larger discs anyway with or without glaucoma. Thanks

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello. All good advice has been given.

Your husband's right optic disc looks glaucomatous but his visual field test result is showing normal. People can have different shaped discs and be fine, but if found need to be checked. Unreliable, means there is nothing definite, showing glaucoma visual loss on the field test or that your husband didn't perform the test quite accurately. For example may have clicked the button when a light wasn't projected.

There doesn't appear to be any immediate hurry and hopefully it won't take too long to receive an appointment.

[Burrrito23]

thank you- one of his tests was within normal range on the visual field but the repeat wasn’t (not sure why it was repeated!). Thanks for your help I suppose we will wait and see now.

[Dorsetjohn]

I don't want to be alarmist but this is my experience. A few years ago, despite me experiencing lack of clear vision and bad reaction to glare, I was not diagnosed with glaucoma until it was very advanced. this was before most private opticians had the sophisticated equipment they have today. Eventually my optician said I ought to see a consultant, so I went via my GP, and was put on the NHS waiting list, after a couple of months I discovered the NHS waiting list was 35 weeks, so I went back to the opticians, who then said it was "quite" serious and I should go private. So I saw a private consultant, who immediately said it was very advanced and put me on drops straight away, the result was that my glaucoma is now stable but I have lost a fair amount of vision.

I don't think your husband is in this category, and the optical tests are now much more sophisticated, but to set your mind at rest I would see a private consultant which should cost about £200 and if he thinks it isn't too serious you can go back on the NHS waiting list