Glaucoma

sassy_one

Hi all

I am after some simple advice.

While I am waiting to see a consultant regards suspected Glaucoma, is there anything I can do/try that may help pressure?

I am not seeking medical advice, just a option from other users.

Thanks

poppyolivia

I don't think there is, you really need to wait for your consultant to run the tests, I have high pressure in both eyes and I was in there for an hour getting tests done, some not nice but they don't know whats causing it..so I have to see them in a YEAR!!!!!

I know there is some kind of eye drops but if he hasn't said to get them I would wait just incase!

Good luck..its pretty scarey huh?

sassy_one

I think Glaucoma patients and suspected Glaucoma suffers should be seen as a urgent case, within weeks not months!

And yes, it is quite scary and I think more awareness regards Glaucoma needs to be sought

sassy_one

One question I would like to ask MSE'rs

Can a eye doctor examine the eye fully without the need for eye drops?

As eye drops do come with side effects.

I always thought eye drops were used in children to make it easier for them to look at there eyes but I have heard adults are given eye drops too.

jenniewb

I have had eye tests both with and without drops- however they did ask me first. I can't imagine an optition not asking first.

I think it depends on what part of the eye test your having as to if they need drops or not. Have to say I have never heard of side effects from drops- I thought eye drops were just very hygenic saline, same as whats already in your eyes.

sassy_one

jenniewb wrote: »

I have had eye tests both with and without drops- however they did ask me first. I can't imagine an optition not asking first.

I think it depends on what part of the eye test your having as to if they need drops or not. Have to say I have never heard of side effects from drops- I thought eye drops were just very hygenic saline, same as whats already in your eyes.

Having done research on Glaucoma lately, I have found online eye drops MUST be used with great caution in patients with high eye pressure or showing signs of high eye pressure.

I believe it is not just saline.
I am not that happy to have them, on grounds that all 3 different types of dilating eye drops advise to use with caution in high eye pressure patients.


I will of course, have them if I am told by the eye doctor it is a must rather than to make things a lot easier.


Did you have a Gonoscopy examine?

poppyolivia

sassy-one wrote: »

One question I would like to ask MSE'rs

Can a eye doctor examine the eye fully without the need for eye drops?

As eye drops do come with side effects.

I always thought eye drops were used in children to make it easier for them to look at there eyes but I have heard adults are given eye drops too.

They used 2 didferent types of eye drops on me the first one was yellow I think and honestly stung like he was rubbing raw onion on my eyes balls...the second lot he did later stung but not half as much.

sassy_one

I can honesty say, Glaucoma is a scary illness.

I am scared, I won't deny that.

NHS waiting times tell me I am looking at waiting almost 3 months to see someone, that isn't good enough, not to me, not to anyone, I will have to go on worrying, maybe worsening my possible condition till Christmas before I am told if I have Glaucoma or not.

What a really sad state the NHS is in now, I could cry.
3 Months to see a consultant on a illness that causes blindness.

All I can do is hope, sadly that may not be enough - Thank you to the NHS

sassy_one

May I add, all this has made me feel really depressed.

I'm told I might have Glaucoma and then thrown out and told I must wait 3 months before I am told for sure, I could cry

jenniewb

sassy-one wrote: »

May I add, all this has made me feel really depressed.

I'm told I might have Glaucoma and then thrown out and told I must wait 3 months before I am told for sure, I could cry

Maybe try writing to your MP? or even the CAB? See if your doctor can do anything at all- let him/her know how you feel.

I have not been in your situation but have been in similar situations where I have had to wait on a waiting list (only then to be denied the treatment (therapy) I had waited 8 months for because (quoting CPN: "you are not sick enough, we have drug addicts and people with alcohol problems and you don't have those problems (I had a BMI of 15 and was anorexic) She discharged me 1 month later and I never did get the treatment from the NHS.

Know how you feel, writing to complain may not get things resolved (then again it might, you don't know) but at the least you will have gotten something off your chest and know that you have tried your best to do everything in your power to change things. This is what helped me anyway.

tidus

Guys, just to clarify, most types of glaucoma are slow in developing and take years to cause significant damage. A wait of 3 months is not going to make any difference to your treatment or long term prognosis. The NHS has to prioritise more urgent conditions. Ask your GP about a private refferal if you are not happy with this.