I didn’t see it coming. I’ve lived with myopia for a long time now. It was first detected when I was ten and I was caught reading my neighbour’s notes in a maths test. I wasn’t cheating, I just couldn’t see the blackboard clearly. There followed a predictable parade of eyeglasses. I didn’t always make good choices. Remember the 1980s?
I switched to contact lenses in my early 20s. More recently added reading glasses for close work and got bifocals for when I am not wearing contacts. So far, so normal. My script has been stable for years at -7.5 and -8.5 for my left and right eyes respectively. Nevertheless, I have regular eye examinations and appreciate that this is a free service with Australian Medicare.
My latest visit to the optometrist progressed as usual. I floundered my way through the eye chart; stared into a bright light; and passed the glaucoma puffer/pressure test in the normal range. This time, she also took a photo of my retinas. Cool, I find eye photos fascinating. Remember Introspection from the Twelve by Twelve windows theme challenge?
Then my consultation took a different turn. I thought my retina photos looked rather pretty. Orange orbs with with a big white dot in the middle. My optometrist had other ideas. She thought my optic nerve cupping looked suspicious and referred me to a specialist who confirmed the diagnosis- glaucoma. Although I am not conscious of it, my upper peripheral vision is significantly impaired in one eye and there is damage in an upper quadrant of the other eye.
What is glaucoma?
In case you’re a little hazy on the details (I know I was), glaucoma is a condition where the pressure within the eye causes damage to the optic nerve. Once the damage is done, it is irreversible. Treatment may be effective in preventing further damage but there is no cure.
Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness throughout the world. It is mainly a disease of older people (80+) as intraocular pressure rises progressively with age but glaucoma can strike at any age even people like me on the cusp of 50 with no symptoms or family history.
The main principle of treating glaucoma is to lower the intraocular pressure to a level where it will not cause further damage to the optic nerve. I have started a lifelong regime of daily eye drops – a regime that I willingly embrace in the hope that my vision will not degenerate into a perpetual vignette filter or worse. Apparently my career as a trumpet and tuba player is over before it has even begun (high resistance wind instruments increase intraocular pressure) and if I ever take up yoga, I will need to avoid positions where the head is below the waist. Otherwise, for now at least, I can sew, read, do computer work, drive, exercise and make art as usual.
Glaucoma. The thief of vision. I didn’t see it coming. Neither may you. Get your eyes examined regularly.
Lisa says
I didn’t realize there wasn’t a cure for glaucoma. I hope the eye drops do a bang up job and keep your eyes from degenerating. I had no idea there were more tests they can do. Thank you for the heads up!
Brenda Gael Smith says
Thank you Lisa. I am grateful that it has been detected before the condition is too far advanced.
Teri says
All the more reason to have annual checks even if you don’t think your vision has changed.
Terry Grant says
Brenda, I was also diagnosed with glaucoma a couple years ago. I have been using the eye drops since and subsequent exams have shown no progressive damage, for which I am very grateful! My Dad also had glaucoma, which I was unaware of until I told my brother about my own. I imagine you are pretty freaked out about this—I know I was! I hope it helps if I tell you how easy it has been to control thus far. And yes, the drops have made my eyelashes grow and darken! Only a slight consolation. :-). Take care and good luck with the drops.
Brenda Gael Smith says
Thanks for sharing your experience Terry. I’m not too freaked but it is a little surreal given how “normal” my vision seems to me. With the aid of some eye drops, long may it last!
Al Chris says
Thank you for telling us…. I sound similar to you with the eye sight “quality”.
I think I’m overdue for a check, as it’s been two years. I’ll book it in this week.
Fingers crossed the drops do the job – a works without you being able to create and inspire us would be terrible xo
Sharon S says
Well that’s crappy news. At least it has been caught early and you will be able to stop it from getting any worse. I understand this as it is the same with lung disease, no cure, no way to undo the damage done, but it can be stopped from progressing.
Ms Lottie says
Yay for modern medicine is all I can say! And that I’m booking myself in for a long overdue eye exam. Thanks for the reminder Brenda and I hope those drops do their job.
Kate Oszko says
Thanks for sharing Brenda – I didn’t know there were drops, knew nothing really. BTW those glasses were IT in the 80s – we all wore them!
Joan says
It really won’t make a difference.As you say you didn’t know
I didn’t they thought as I had an op they is why the pressure was up
The drops are great
You will get used to them
And if the pressure changes they will prob change them too accommodate
I have had it for 20 years
Have only had the drops changed once in that time
The spec will decide how often you need to visit
Usually mine is six monthly depending on the pressure if it is high it can be every 3 months
Today we are fortunate that they can treat it
Joan Shaw says
My husband was also diagnosed with it two years ago, been using the eye drops ever since, the pressure In his eyes is now normal, but he will be using the drops for life. Take care.
Lynda T says
Hi Brenda,
I’m sorry you’re part of the “club.” I have four eye disorders and glaucoma is one. I take the drops also, but since the cataract surgery in the right eye, I’ve been given six months off with that eye. Apparently that surgery usually drops the pressure levels quite a bit.
Liz Rose says
I feel for you Brenda- I had a rude vision shock just before I turned 50. Was diagnosed with a rapid onset, non-age related cataract in my left eye. Had the cataract surgery for that eye, also diagnosed with a retinal tuck in that eye. Means I see straight lines with a bit of a wobble. I now periodically have a depth perception problem, most noticeable when I am free-motion quilting. It is more free now!
I pay closer attention to my eye health now as I couldn’t imagine life without sewing and all the other things I like to do.
Diane says
Brenda, I’m sorry you are having to deal with this… Alarming, but so good they caught it early and you can slow or stop the progression. Anything with eyes is scary.
Debra says
This is certainly a frightening experience. I recently was diagnosed with Myopic Degeneration, which damages the central vision. Unlike Macular Degeneration, though, it is sometimes arrested and even reversed to some extent by treatment with injections of Avastin into the eye. I have had two injections and it seems to be holding steady. I also have cataracts in both eyes, and a wrinkle in the same eye as the degeneration ( I think that is like the “tuck” mentioned by someone else). I had three spontaneous retina tears in the same eye, and the laser repair likely resulted in the wrinkle. I understand completely the thought of losing the ability to quilt, among other things, with loss of vision. I do have more trouble doing free motion quilting, as you mentioned, and sometimes have trouble seeing the needle. But it has made me less of a perfectionist. And finally, I have to say, I am working on a quilt using my eye images too! It is not like yours, but apparently we both had the same thought when we saw the photos taken by the eye doctor! If you can forget they are about the damage to your own eye, they are very interesting images! I asked for a copy, and they put all of mine on a disk for me. I wish you good luck in the future with your eyes!
candy says
Thanks for sharing Brenda. Good advice.
VivienZepf says
Thank heavens you go to the eye doctor regularly! My mom was diagnosed at 50-ish with glaucoma in both eyes. She’s been taking the drops ever since to manage the pressure and also — successfully – had laser surgery to manage the progression of the disease. The twice daily drops are a nuisance, but early detection and vigilant drop use seem to be key for stemming any further deterioration. I’m sorry you’re going through this emotionally and physically, and I hope you have a good team of doctors and support.