augustafolia

[augustafolia]

I am looking for advice/help in accepting the status quo, ie my sight journey. I lost sight in one eye due to an eye stroke in December 2022. I am scared and concerned incase my other eye is vulnerable. My optitician I went to first time said I had Gluacoma , and because I attend the eye clinic for observation, I informed them of this. I was told in an abrupt manner that I did not have Glaucoma, I was in tears as I left. I see a different person every time so it is difficult,to build a rapport with anyone. Now I have been told by optician again that I have a cataract, which the clinic knew about , but did not tell me. A few days ago at clinic appointment, I asked how do you diagnose Gluacoma, abruptly I was told I do not have it. My Visual Field Tests are all bad for last 3 visits at least, so am really scared now. I dread clinic appointments, but am considering going private, just to have correct diagnosis whether Glaucoma Cataract or both. I want to move on,and handle my sight.

Just wondering if anyone has been in similar circumstances, and wondering how they handled their dilemma. Any insight would be very much appreciated.

[Rainyday2024]

Hello augustafolia,

I am so sorry to hear that you have been given differing and confusing versions about your eye problems and I can fully understand and sympathise with you. It is very frustrating when you see a different person at each visit and cannot therefore build any rapport with your consultant. The opticians you visited do not sound at all helpful and at a time when you are feeling so worried and vulnerable, a person with an abrupt manner is the last thing you need! I sometimes wonder how much opticians really do know about all the numerous eye conditions - and I hate that “puffer test” they use to determine eye pressure. I wonder how accurate they are when compared to the tonometer that specialists tend to use. Could you afford to visit a private eye specialist? If so, I would definitely recommend it, because that way you should hopefully be given a complete diagnosis of your eye health. Whereabouts do you live? I am in the Midlands and could recommend my very good chap who is based in the Birmingham area. If you cannot afford to see someone privately then try a different opticians and book an OCT scan, prices can differ but I think Vision Express or was it SpecSavers, charged me £10. My son was charged £25 at Boots last week which I think was not right!! I am currently under the care of private consultant following an eye tube implant operation but I recently visited my local NHS Macula Dept for a check-up as I had been a bit worried about blurriness in my unoperated eye! Thankfully all seemed well - I think maybe I was blurry due to dry eyes and not using my drops often enough. I hope I have helped in some small way - and that you get some sensible and reassuring answers and advice very soon from a specialist you can trust - and feel comfortable with. Kind regards, Gill

[augustafolia in reply to Rainyday2024]

Thankyou for your reply, it was very helpful, but my optician has turned out helpful, it is the clinic that is the problem.