Originally Posted by
sam21fire
I've progressed to 2 different eye drops for about a year now and my eye pressure is finally stable at around 20 in each eye. After extensive testing they determined that the increased pressure was discovered and treated soon enough that there was no damage to my eyes and my vision hasn't suffered. As a photographer I'm acutely aware of my eye health (not much market for blind photographers) and did a little research into 'alternative' treatments and preventatives. From what I read the cannabis approach doesn't seem to offer much reduction in the pressure although I suppose you could make the argument that using it would cause you to relax thus reducing your stress and blood pressure which could help with the eye pressure...
My opthomologist said that there are one or two other drops we could move to if the current drops become ineffective. After that the options are laser surgery to open the 'holes' where the eye fluid naturally drains. On that line of thought, my mother in law has much better insurance (PPO) and she was able to bypass the progression of drops and went straight to the surgery.
I asked my optho if exercise and general healthy living had any effect on eye pressure and he said not much. That part didn't make much sense to me but that was his view.
Thanks for your response. It appears that I do have some damage to the optic nerve - not sure how much. I notice no lossof vision or peripheral vision, but that will be further tested in a couple of weeks.
I find that the MD's are not highly communicative about my condition. They look at pictures of the eye from the OCT (or is it OTC) images, and sort of say "Hmm . . "
I want to know more, and I will prepare some written and pre-faxed questions (not that they ever actually read the faxes) for my next appointment.
Things like
* How much damage is there and what are the implications?
* What is the expected progression. I have read where blindness is inevitable all the way to it can be controlled
* alternatives and studies
* How common is this for someone 75yo
* How far along am I in the progression.
* Will my other eye be affested?
I did ask the question about exercise and health, and they were positive about this and I am to continue.
It is extremely frightening. But, they don't seem to get that part of it. Knowledge is power, and I am lacking the knowledge I need.
So, I went and did a quick 20 miler early this morning just to keep my spirits up.