I seem to be collecting new eye problems. - Macular Society

Macular Society

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I seem to be collecting new eye problems.

2468G profile image
19 Replies

Early appointment at Macular clinic today. Eye test and Consultant visit. Good news to start as no new fluid leaks at 7 weeks from last appointment. However the consultant spent ages looking at my problem eye and finally said he could see a haemmoridge on the retina and wanted to check for glaucoma. I had a scan and was told he would send me an appointment for a field test.

Can I really have progressive myopia, vitreous detachment, CNV, suspected AMD, cataracts forming and now glaucoma. Haven't I enough to deal with and what does this mean? Do I need to join a whole new forum? I have heard of glaucoma but I am not looking into what it is incase I haven't got it. I'm trying not to worry. Been out for a long walk instead.

Anyone out there had these issues?

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2468G
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19 Replies
Ceri2 profile image
Ceri2

Hi,

The long walk does sound a good idea! It may only be routine that they are checking your field tests for glaucoma. It isn’t linked to haemorrhages. The good news is that glaucoma is treatable with eye drops and as long as people take them regularly, it can usually be controlled. I was diagnosed with it 10 years ago, so before the CNVs and myopic macular degeneration and it hasn’t really been much bother in comparison. Fingers crossed that they are just being thorough and giving you all the tests to be on the safe side. 🌻

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to Ceri2

Thanks so much for that Ceri2. You sound to have similar issues to me. Are you very short sighted too?

Comforting to know it is treatable should I find I have it. Eye drops are certainly preferable to injections.

Thanks again.

Ceri2 profile image
Ceri2 in reply to 2468G

Yes, I am very short sighted too. That’s possibly why they are checking you out. And you are right, the drops are nothing compared to the injections! You are already handling the hard bit. Good luck 🌻

Sending you a hug x a good walk is great therapy.

As ceri2 says, drops for glaucoma work well . I got raised IOP (which can cause glaucoma )from the inj years ago but the drops have stopped it developing. Got cataracts from my steroid treatment but getting the worst one fixed soon ( my visual acuity in that eye halved in the last month alone). I have put off having a potential other steroid side effect of hip pain checked out until eye is done as it just seems too much to deal with at once ( I have pain daily too from a trapped femoral nerve) so I get a little bit how you must be feeling overwhelmed - remember, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

Sending you very best wishes and you're right not to read up until you are properly diagnosed as you can end up worrying unnecessarily. Treat yourself to something nice - I'm having my teeth fixed lol.

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to

Hi eyesright.

Thanks for your kindness. The replies from you ladies this morning have helped me. The possible new diagnosis was a blow after feeling happy for about 3 minutes that the last injection had worked well.

I'm certainly not alone in having multiple worries. Sorry to hear you have pain and had deterioration in your sight . It's so frightening. I have lovely friends and family but no one really understands what anxiety our issues cause. Its so helpful when you post on this site and people get back to you with similar issues and knowledge on our conditions.

Good luck with the teeth fixing. I'm opting for a nice meal out somewhere. Best wishes. G

marianS profile image
marianS

Dear 2468G,

I am sorry to read about all your eye health matters. You sound very overwhelmed by it all, but you have a sensible attitude in trying not to worry but wait for results first. This cannot be easy, but please give us a ring on the Macular Society Advice and Information Service (aka Helpline) if you want to discuss any of this as we may be able to offer you some of our telephone support services. We are here to listen as well as advise.

Just to make you aware, we are currently offering free 6 month membership. This is a good way to keep up with current developments and you can join by following this link:

macularsociety.org/6months

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any future help , either by email or ringing the Macular Society Helpline which is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Kind regards,

From the Macular Society Helpline

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to marianS

Thanks Marian

It is overwhelming. I was so happy that my results from the last injection were good and then such a blow to be told I may have another condition. It's frustrating. I want to get on with my life but held back by eye worries and constant appointments and unpleasant treatment (by wonderful staff I must add).

Thanks again.

Pumpkin71 profile image
Pumpkin71

I'm sorry to hear that you have so many things going on at the same time, but you're not alone. I have early stage AMD, ocular hypertension, cataracts, vitreous detachments and blepharitis. I'm very likely to develop glaucoma, as I have a family history. I was diagnosed with AMD and ocular hypertension a year ago and was in such shock that I couldn't talk about it for months. I've settled down since then into a state of low level anxiety.

I've been assured by my ophthomologist that vision loss from glaucoma is unlikely as long as the treatment plan is followed.

Wishing you all the best.

2468G profile image
2468G

Hello Pumpkin71

Thank you for your reply.

It would appear that once we start with an eye problem other issues follow. You have quite a list too.

It is good to know glaucoma can be treated if I do find I have it.

I have no family history of glaucoma or any eye issues. All my close family have good eyesight. My dad is 81 and only occasionally needs reading glasses.

Best wishes to you and thanks again. G

pinkperfection profile image
pinkperfection

Hi there

I am so sorry to hear about your extra problems but as said Glaucoma is more treatable with eye drops. I have a friend who goes for regular checks and seems to be doing okay. You have been very kind to me as I hadn't had an injection for 11 weeks owing to eye infection. Yesterday they did one now I am praying the blepharitis isn't going to flare up as eyelid seems a bit swollen this morning.It is all so stressful.

I do feel for you and really hope they are just checking you out for safety. I am also very short sighted and I think that makes us more prone to AMD. Let me know how you get on and wish you lots of luck.

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to pinkperfection

Hi pinkperfection

That's such a nice message to receive. I really was overwhelmed the day I sent that post. The possible glaucoma diagnosis was a step too far. I haven't received an appointment for the field test yet but have received one for my usual Macular clinic appointment. Thanks to the replies like yours saying it is treatable with drops have helped. I haven't googled what glaucoma is though.

I'm so pleased you finally got your injection. It is so stressful when injections are delayed. We know delays can result in more damage. Hope your eyelid calms down. The last thing you need is a reoccurance.

Thanks for your kind wishes. Will let you know how I get on. G

pinkperfection profile image
pinkperfection in reply to 2468G

Pleased to hear that you are feeling more yourself again. I think sometimes we are just overwhelmed and it is very hard to be positive. This is why it is so comforting to be able to talk to each other as we all no how it feels. Thanks for your good wishes and yes please let me know how you get on, as I will.

pinkperfection profile image
pinkperfection in reply to 2468G

Went for assessment on Friday, better news despite 11 weeks gap because of infection the fluid has almost gone so they are going to continue eyelea injections for time being. I feel a lot more positive although I know it can be a roller coaster and fluid has a habit of coming back but making the most of it for now. How are you feeling?

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to pinkperfection

Hi.

Such good news. I'm pleased for you. I can imagine the relief you feel. Sounds like the Eylea is working.

I have my field test this Friday. I feel apprehensive. I haven't received my results from my last scan to see if I need any more Eylea at present. Bit of a waiting game for me at present.

I'm keeping busy planning Christmas stuff. Will let you know my results.

Enjoy yourself now you can relax a little. G

pinkperfection profile image
pinkperfection in reply to 2468G

Thanks for your kind reply. I hope Friday goes well for you and you get good news. I am also planning Christmas things. Hope you have a good Christmas and the New Year will be a better one for us both. It would be nice to think that some new treatments might be coming along for all of us with MD.

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to pinkperfection

We keep being told there are new treatments on the horizon so fingers crossed. My very best wishes for Christmas and New year to you too. Have fun. G

2468G profile image
2468G in reply to 2468G

Hi

Hope you are doing ok.

Just to update you, I had my field test 2 weeks ago and heard nothing back.

I went to the macular assessment clinic on Tuesday and thought I may see the consultant but you don't know until the day at our clinic if you are or not. Anyway as it turns out it was just a quick eye test and scan and i was sent in my way. This is always a good sign as it means the previous scan was ok. Doesn't enlighten he to the field test/glaucoma possibility though. I'm hoping no news is good news.

Hope all your Christmas plans are going well. I've gone down with a stinker of a cold so rather behind. Hope you have a very happy Christmas.

Best wishes. G

StokeySue profile image
StokeySue

I didn’t notice this earlier

Sorry to hear you have this too

I have a similar range of issues, CNV, wet md, dry md, cataracts, developing glaucoma. So far no retinal detachment but I have a Foster Fuchs spot (a disc of scarring over the right macular)

In my case definitely the syndrome known as pathological myopia - there’s a good summary of it on the Macular society web site.

I’ve worn strongish glasses since I was 7, should have had them sooner, and the Foster Fuchs spot appeared when I was 34. I don’t think anyone really knows why in some people myopia turns out to be pathological, my dad was as short sighted as I am but never had these problems, just short sight and eventually uncomplicated cataracts, and that was all, at 92 he could still watch the birds and read a book. My mum possibly had glaucoma, certainly raised pressure.

It is tough, and it is very stressful. I just hang on to being thankful that my “good eye” made it into the era of fairly effective treatments, if both eyes had gone 30 years ago, when I developed the FF spot there would have been nothing.

2468G profile image
2468G

Hi StokeySue

That is so interesting to read your list of eye problems so similar to mine. I started to become short sighted in my late teens and everytime I went for an eye test it deteriorated. Settled down in my thirties but then had vitreous detachments in my late forties followed by the present fun in my early/mid fifties.

We do have to be grateful for the available treatments which preserve a lot of our sight. A generation before weren't so fortunate.

Thanks for sharing your story. G

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