I Function Well Even Though I'm Mostly Blind in Left Eye (Part 1)
By Diana Bauder
@BloggerDi (3113)
United States
September 13, 2019 2:11pm CST
I read a good post by CarolDM that she shared on Aug. 21st, entitled "Have Your Eyes Dilated Lately?". I just saw that she also posted - "Annual Eye Exam", on the same day.
I was glad to see discussions about the importance of getting eyes checked regularly. I think all optometrists and ophthalmologists routinely check eye pressure (IOP- intraocular pressure) as part of those exams.
After I read Carol's posts and the comments, I decided to share part of my Glaucoma journey. Almost a month later, here I am. 
I always had high myopia (nearsightedness) and started wearing glasses at age six. By the time I was twelve, I had very thick lenses.
Jump ahead to 1998. I was having strange symptoms with my vision and in my head when I was driving. It seemed to be triggered by the sunlight.
After the third occurence, I went to see my optometrist. My eye pressures were 36 and 38! (Normal pressures range from 10-18.) After more tests, I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in both eyes at age 35. It was very frightening!
I will share more of my experiences in another post soon.
I've included a link which gives a basic overview about the disease.
The pic shows what the world looks like to me (sort of) when I use just my left eye. My view is more blurry overall than that.
Does anyone here have Glaucoma or know much about it?
I always had high myopia (nearsightedness) and started wearing glasses at age six. By the time I was twelve, I had very thick lenses.
Jump ahead to 1998. I was having strange symptoms with my vision and in my head when I was driving. It seemed to be triggered by the sunlight.
After the third occurence, I went to see my optometrist. My eye pressures were 36 and 38! (Normal pressures range from 10-18.) After more tests, I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in both eyes at age 35. It was very frightening!
I will share more of my experiences in another post soon.
I've included a link which gives a basic overview about the disease.
The pic shows what the world looks like to me (sort of) when I use just my left eye. My view is more blurry overall than that.
Does anyone here have Glaucoma or know much about it?https://www.glaucomaresearch.ca/about/about-glaucoma/
24 people like this
24 responses
@LadyDuck (459399)
• Switzerland
14 Sep 19
@BloggerDi Pigmentary Glaucoma is extremely annoying. I hope you can see pretty well despite this problem.
6 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Thanks for sharing that @LadyDuck. I'm so glad that SLT helped you. I had that procedure too.
I was first diagnosed with open angle, but a specialist discovered that I had Pigmentary Glaucoma a few years later.
5 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
14 Sep 19
diabetes is strong on my father's side of the family so i know we have to be vigilant about eye care
7 people like this
@LadyDuck (459399)
• Switzerland
14 Sep 19
@hereandthere Yes, this causes a more narrow space to get the fluids flow and increases the eye pressure. I go to see my doctor every year, he check that I have no damages to my obtic nerve.
7 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
14 Sep 19
I have a checkup once a year. Over 65 it is free here. I do wear eye glasses because I'm nearsighted and have been wearing them since I was a teenager.
6 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
24 Nov 19
@1hopefulman There are some advantages getting older.
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Thank you @1hopefulman. It's great that your checkups are free.
5 people like this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Sep 19
I'm thankful that I don't have glaucoma but I am legally blind in my right eye.
I've also had 2 surgeries done to my left eye, first to repair a hole in my retina and then recently to remove the cataract which occurred because of the 1st surgery.
I can finally see again and that's so important to me. Everyone should take their vision seriously and see their eye doctors at least yearly.
6 people like this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Sep 19
You're welcome @BloggerDi
Yes, but in my case it's pretty much over whereas with glaucoma its an ongoing dilemma. I hope they find a remedy for it one day soon.
4 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Thank you for your comments @rebelann.
Wow, you've been though quite an ordeal! Yes, retinal damage is very serious.
I'm happy that you're doing so much better now.
5 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
13 Sep 19
Thank you for your kind words @HazySue. I feel so fortunate to still have some vision left.
4 people like this
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
19 Sep 19
@BloggerDi I am impressed by how well you have adjusted to the loss of vision. You are quite a lady.
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
13 Sep 19
Thanks @CarolDM. I wasn't sure if I did the mention correctly, in a way that you would see it.
5 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Sep 19
@BloggerDi I didn't know we could just put the name and get a notification, but it worked!
6 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
15 Sep 19
Thank you for asking @jstory07. My vision is a lot worse than when I was first diagnosed 21 years ago. All treatments have failed to stop the progression of the disease in my left eye. My right eye works hard to compensate for my vision loss.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48591)
• Canada
13 Sep 19
I know a bit about glaucoma, it is my mother's side of the family.
I have very limited peripheral vision as a result of a brain tumor that was growing on the back of my optic nerve. Nobody knows this, except for those reading it, my family and my doctors.
I think that it just goes to show that we should never ever judge a book by its cover, we are so much more then what meets the eye.
I'm sure that your adjustments that you've made in life for your glaucoma make you stronger, there's a lot to be said about that. 
6 people like this
@Juliaacv (48591)
• Canada
13 Sep 19
@BloggerDi It has given me strength of character, you know all about that with your eye condition.
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
13 Sep 19
Thanks very much @Juliaacv. I appreciate your kind words!
I know a little about how brain tumors and other neurological problems can affect the optic nerve in a similar way as Glaucoma. I'm sorry you had to go through that and now have vision problems.
4 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
13 Sep 19
i confess to bein' lax'n my eye care. 3 yrs 'go my right eye 'twas 'borderline' glaucoma, 'twas to get such checked e'ery 6 months. the hubs claims we cannot 'fford such thingies, so i've not been back. i've cataracts, too. i cannot drive 't night, the glare from oncomin' traffic leaves me completely blind fer several minute - e'en 's a passenger.
6 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
14 Sep 19
@BloggerDi yer welcome. yes ma'am, that they'd be. perhaps one day?
4 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Thanks for you sharing @crazyhorseladycx. I can understand the cost of doc appointments being a burden. It's easy to put it off for that reason, especially when we seem to be getting along okay. But your cataracts are really affecting your quality of life now, so I hope you can get them removed.
5 people like this
@1creekgirl (40636)
• United States
14 Sep 19
My mother had Glaucoma and so do I. I keep it under control with Timilol drops. Do meds help you? I had Macular degeneration a few years ago and got eye injections for a while. I'm thankful to God that I haven't had any problems with it for a few years now.
6 people like this
@1creekgirl (40636)
• United States
14 Sep 19
@BloggerDi I'm sure sorry to hear that. I'll say a prayer for you.
5 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Hi @1creekgirl. Wow, it's too bad that you've dealt with two serious eye diseases! I'm so glad your eyes are stable now.
Meds have helped my right eye but my left has been resistant to every single treatment, including surgeries. Drops seem to control pressure only temporarily.
5 people like this
@akalinus (40634)
• United States
15 Sep 19
@BloggerDi It seems strange but it must be a thing. I guess you must be thankful that the other eye is not affected.
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
I appreciate your kind comments @akalinus.
I've had many different docs and specialists through the years. None of them can give me a reason that only one eye is resistant to all treatments. However, it's not an uncommon occurrence.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
14 Sep 19
I’m terribly sorry you have glaucoma. It’s an awful eye disease. I hope your doctor can treat it to stop further progression.
I had my yearly appointment and had my eyes dilated on Thursday. No issues except astigmatism which is common and easily dealt with.
I had my yearly appointment and had my eyes dilated on Thursday. No issues except astigmatism which is common and easily dealt with.5 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
18 Sep 19
@DianneN That's very sweet of you. I appreciate all prayers!
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
I appreciate your caring comments @DianneN. I'm doing okay. I probably won't have anymore invasive treatments, but I am on two meds to keep the pressure under control. I'm due for a check up, so we'll see if the drops are working.
4 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Thanks for your comment @JudyEv. That's very sad.
4 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
14 Sep 19
Thanks for your comment @Sojourn. I hope you can see well with your new glasses. Is your pain and dizziness because your eyes are trying to adjust to the new lenses?
4 people like this
@Sojourn (13836)
• India
15 Sep 19
@BloggerDi Yeah, when I remove the glasses I feel so at ease.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157674)
• United States
14 Sep 19
I have been getting educated about it, because at first my eye doctor thought my pressures were indicative. They were not as high as yours, and they have been at the same pressures for over twenty years that I know of. He still codes my tests and billing to medicare and insurance as "pre glaucoma" but says based on his calculation I have thicker than usual lenses which in turn raises pressure. I believe my mother and grand father, maybe grandmother had age related macular degeneration, which is another problem that requires frequent monitoring.
5 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
17 Sep 19
When I was young I wanted to wear eyeglasses because my big sister wore eyeglasses. My mom bought me a pair of fake glasses. I am much older and I think the problems with my vision being not all that great is just a part of aging. As for you functioning well despite your limitations? Good for you. Most of us manage to keep on keeping on. It's better than being overcome by life's difficulties.
I am much older and I think the problems with my vision being not all that great is just a part of aging. As for you functioning well despite your limitations? Good for you. Most of us manage to keep on keeping on. It's better than being overcome by life's difficulties.2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
17 Sep 19
Well said and thanks for the encouragement @cmoneyspinner.
2 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
17 Sep 19
I am sorry to hear you have it, my dad has it, his eyes, are very bad, and will probably lose his vision.
2 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
17 Sep 19
@BloggerDi he is diabetic also, so that plays a part in it.
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
17 Sep 19
@CookieMonster46 Oh yes, that's very serious.
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
17 Sep 19
Thanks very much @CookieMonster46. That's very sad about your dad's advanced vision damage.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
15 Sep 19
Sorry you have issues with your right eye.
I have a condition known as lazy eye. I also have stigmatism and something known as ambliopia. The brain actually tells the right eye to ignore what it sees and the left eye is dominant. But I have lived with this condition my entire life. I am in my 60s.
I often thank God that I can see as well as I can. My dad worked for an optical company that made glasses for people and did this practically his whole life and supported a wife and 6 children. I know eye strain can cause headaches especially at the computer.
3 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
15 Sep 19
@lookatdesktop Thank you for sharing some of your story. It's amazing how our bodies can adjust to illnesses and injuries, and allow us to do many things.
I'm sure that living with ambliopia all these years had its challenges. I like your positive and grateful attitude.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85649)
• Bangalore, India
16 Sep 19
My husband has been diagnosed with glaucoma since last three years. But glad that it was diagnosed at early stage and it has been controlled so far with eye drops. He also had itching due to dry eye.
4 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
16 Sep 19
Thank you @arunima25. I'm glad that your husband's Glaucoma is well-controlled.
I have dry eye problems too. The docs said that the medicated eye drops cause dryness. I have seasonal allergies which cause discomfort and itching too.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85649)
• Bangalore, India
20 Sep 19
@BloggerDi I can understand. Husband suffers from a lot of seasonal allergies.
1 person likes this
@samysotelo18 (7744)
• Mexico
13 Sep 19
oh no im so sorry, i know a bit about it but i really hope your health grows, my best wishes
4 people like this
