Glaucoma

My dad was diagnosed with glaucoma when I was a pretty young child. I think, maybe, when I was around 4? I can't recall exactly. He's been receiving treatment for it for most of the time since his diagnosis, that I know of. There was a while when my parents' health insurance company was jerking them around, saying the pressure in my dad's eye was low enough that his visits to the ophthalmologist could be less frequent, and then they stopped covering his eye drops, and it was all pretty frustrating for him. Ultimately, the pressure built back up and he ended up resuming treatment. He got a recommendation for a new ophthalmologist, and it's back under control. He was lucky that the rise in pressure was caught before there was any severe pain or vision loss. As far as symptoms go, to the best of my knowledge, the worst he's ever experienced from it is severe light sensitivity, red eyes, and headaches. But I've never actually asked him either. I also had a great or great-great aunt who was completely blind from Glaucoma. But that many years ago before there were many treatment options for it.

Glaucoma, the second-leading cause of adult blindness after age-related macular degeneration, often results from intraocular pressure (fluid pressure within the eye, or IOP) that is too high for the optic nerve to tolerate. At About age 40 and over have glaucoma, and, because the condition does not cause symptoms in its early stages, half of them do not know it. There are two types of glaucoma:- 1. open-angle 2. closed-angle glaucoma The distinction between open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma is made by examining the front part of the eye to check the angle where the iris meets the cornea. Both types of glaucoma can lead to blindness by damaging the optic nerve. Each day, the eye produces about 1 teaspoon of aqueous humor--a clear fluid that provides nutrients to, and carries waste products away from, the lens and cornea. Ordinarily, fluid production and drainage are in balance, and intraocular pressure (IOP) is between 12 and 22 mm Hg. In people with open-angle glaucoma who have higher-than-normal IOP levels, ophthalmologists suspect that a partial blockage traps the aqueous humor. Exactly how this happens is unclear. As more aqueous humor is produced than is removed, the blockage causes an increase in IOP. When IOP remains elevated or continues to rise, fibers in the optic nerve are compressed and eventually die, leading to a gradual loss of vision. It is important that any prescribed eye drops are used every day as advised by your doctor, or the pressure in the eye will rise again. There are combination eye drops available that might be more convenient for those who need to use two different medicines. All the eye drops can cause some irritation to the eyes. In addition, beta-blockers can cause itching and dry eyes. Side-effects of other types of medicine may include taste disturbance, darkening of the iris, thickening and lengthening of eye lashes, headaches and blurred vision. A laser can be used to open the holes in the trabecular meshwork. The procedure is usually quick and causes little discomfort. No general anaesthetic is required and there is no need for an overnight stay in hospital. The success of this type of treatment varies from person to person, and it may be necessary to continue using eye drops after laser treatment, though often at a lower dose.

Yes my first husband was diagnosed with Glaucoma when he was in his 30's when he was in his late 40's he had laser surgery. It gradually went downhill after that. He had terrible headaches, he lost the sight in the eye he had laser surgery and the eye actually went rotten and had to be replaced with a glass eye. He eventually went totally blind in the other eye as well. We don't know how vital our eye sight is.

I dont know some one who has one. As far as i know galucoma is due to increased INTRAOCULAR pressure in the eye. meaning the pressure inside the eye builds up causing blurring, pain in the eye, and sensitivity to glare. You father should continue to pursue check ups with a an eye doctor to save his other eye.

Hi, My son has Glaucoma. He is 3 years old and was born with congenital glaucoma. He has had several surgeries to reduce eye pressure in both eyes. If left untreated there is a potential for vision loss and blindness. My son's glaucoma was caught early enough. His vision is good because of this. It is important to have regular eye check-ups to measure eye pressure and have a good look at the optic nerve. Getting eye pressure down within normal limits(10-21) is very important but the health of the optic nerve is of utmost importance. It is important to keep the optic nerve healthy by keeping eye pressure as low as possible for that person. Your father should coninue to have his eye pressure checked regularly. Good luck:) Kristin