Nurses With Glaucoma

[chase4myheart]

I went for my routine eye exam today and was diagnosed with glaucoma. I always thought that this was a disease that primarily affected older people. I guess I now fall into that category. It hurst sooo bad to get older. I knew that I would have a higher risk for it because my mother and my grandmother had glaucoma. I was really wondering if there are any nurses working that have glaucoma. If so, have you been able to control the disease while suffering minimal vision loss? I've worked so hard to get through nursing school. I just don't want to graduate in May and have problems getting a job or performing my job due to vision problems. I know there is no cure for the disease, but there are drops and surgery that can be used. Anyone out there want to share their experiences? Thanks!

[goback]

Hello,

I have worked in ophthalmology for 15 years. We see glaucoma in all ages. You had a higher incidence due to your family history. Glaucoma is diagnosed when a person has increased IOP, changes in your periph. vision and changes in the cup to disc ration in the optic nerve. Did your ophth. put you on a glaucoma gtt.? Many people live very normal lives while managing glaucoma. Just take your gtts. faithfully and keep your eye appts. so they can monitor your IOP. I am also graduating in May!(yea).

I hope this helped you alittle. You will graduate and be fine!!!

Good Luck,

Goback

[kukukajoo, LPN]

I am 38 and was dx about 3 years ago. I had a laser surgery to help open the angles. I have the Acute type, also known as narrow angle glaucoma. It can be very painful and my periph. vision has waned some but not enough to sideline me. I also can't see so well in dark or dim rooms. Going to a dimly lit pub is enough to bring my pressure up so I avoid that and I try to avoid driving at night. The attacks I get can last a couple days and send me to bed, but are much less frequent than before the laser surgery.

One of the strangest symptoms I got was morning sickness type attacks for no reason. Sometimes with a feeling of vertigo. I never would have connected this to my eyes! I was diagnosed by accident after I scratched my eye!!!

There is some good info online and a place called glaucoma foundation. Feel free to pm me for more info.