FAQ - Glaucoma
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How likely is it for me to develop glaucoma?


I went to my optometrist on Thursday to get my glasses renewed. One of the things they did was a glaucoma test. My pressure had increased from 22mmHg last year to 26 & 27mmHg this year. I am nearsighted, but my peripheral vision is fine. What are the chances? Thanks.
In case it helps, I have 20/80 in both eyes.
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Get an appointment with an opthalmologist.

Risk is high to develop glaucoma when intraocular pressure is above 22mmHg.
You may not yet have glaucoma. The term of glaucoma is characterized with a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged.
One person may develop nerve damage at a relatively low pressure, while another person may have high eye pressure for years and yet never develop damage.

However, you have the need to start controlling the intraocular pressure.

Most common treatment is timolol eyedrops. Its a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists.
Your doctor will start with the lowest dosage and subsequent appointments to check its control/treatment accuracy.

If you leave your condition uncontrolled, the consequences are severe.
Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.  (+ info)

What negatively effects people with glaucoma?


Alcohol consumption, stenuous exercise, diet?
Are there anythings you shouldn't be doing or consuming as a person with glaucoma? Are there things that raise your occular pressure?
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FT. LAUDERDALE, F.L. -- May 8, 2006 -- Research from Harvard Medical School shows that more alcohol might be better than less when it comes to lowering intra-ocular pressure and protecting the eye from vision loss associated with open-angle glaucoma, contrary to what virtually every other medical study in recent years has reported.

The researchers cautioned, however, that they are not recommending that regular alcohol consumption should be a recommended part of one's daily diet.
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/25A892.htm



Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to glaucoma.

http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/glaucoma/GLC_faq.html  (+ info)

What is the dangers to keep an eye that is damaged from glaucoma?


I think that the readers are not understanding the nature of the question. I know what glaucoma is. I was inquiring about the damaged eye, ( if removal of the damaged eyeball is needed, or does it depend on a case by case )
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no the eye never needs to be removed in glaucoma.its very rare that a removal of the eye is ever required for any disease. the only thing that would require this would be a malignant tumour in the eye.  (+ info)

what type of things can effect your glaucoma test at the eye doctor?


I need to know what type of things can effect a eye pressure test or glaucoma test. Like if you stay up all night and don't go to sleep would that effect your test and make your eye pressure higher or something. I wanted to know because I slept all day today don't know if I can sleep tonight.
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I had high intraocular pressure and my doctor told me that there wasn't much except medications that would effect it. Allergies don't, lack of sleep won't.  (+ info)

What causes the blurriness in glaucoma?


I'm 14. I've been wondering if the blurriness is caused by the pressure on the eye, or is it just irreversible vision lost? If it's just the pressure, are there any surgeries that relieve the pressure? If there is, would that relieve the blurriness in my left eye? I have Glaucoma in both of my eyes, but the left eye is basically useless since I can't see anything. Another question, lol , would not wearing my glasses worsen the glaucoma?
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It sounds to me like you're describing two separate issues. One is glaucoma, which if you have you have probably had for quite some time. Second, is the blurred vision, which may not necessarily be related to the glaucoma. You say your left I can't see anything. Is that with or without glasses? And no, not wearing glasses has no impact upon glaucoma.

There are surgeries to relieve eye pressure but that is not indicated in every person who has glaucoma. If you indeed have glaucoma, likely you are on drops for pressure relief.  (+ info)

Any doctors or nurses around? Can taking two glaucoma medications cause a dilantin level in the blood to rise?


My gf's level was taken two weeks ago and it rose to 17 from being at or around normal for a long time. The only change she has made to her meds is that two eyedrops were added for glaucoma. One is called "cosopt', the other is "Alphagan'. Other than that, we have no clue why it rose.
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A normal dilantin level is 10-20 so 17 is still in the normal range. until her level reaches 30 she is not toxic. I have looked up the medications she is taking and there is nothing stating a contraindication or a indication for increasing dilantin levels. Is she drinking enough water and is she going pee ok? If so, then it is apparently clearing her body just fine. Make sure, since she is on prolonged therapy with dilantin, that she has an adequate intake, not excessive, of foods high in vitamin D and that she has some exposure to sunlight....wear a hat and sunglasses. And as I'm sure she knows, the flu vaccine may increase her seizure activity so if she gets a flu shot her dosage may need to be adjusted for a time. The only thing I know that for certain will increase dilantin levels is drinking alcohol so if she had a few drinks close to when her blood level was drawn that may have temporarily increased it....but like I said, its still well within the normal level. Hope this helps, my best to you!  (+ info)

What can I do to prevent/procrastinate glaucoma?


I have a family history of glaucoma, my father, uncle and their father (my grandfather) all three have glaucoma.
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I don't think you can do anything other than get tested regularly, or use a certain herbal substance that our government hates.  (+ info)

Does anyone have information on new Glaucoma treatments ?


I have very advanced Glaucoma. I am taking all the standard drugs. Cosoptic, Xalatan and a mutti-vitamin that concentrates on the eyes.
If anyone knows of treatments cutting edge or alternate I would really appreciate knowing.
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Does Anyone Have Information On New Glaucoma Treatments?

The latest advance in glaucoma treatment is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT).

Trabecular meshwork
The trabecular meshwork is an area of tissue located around the base of the cornea, near the ciliary body, and is responsible for draining the aqueous humor from the eye via the anterior chamber (the chamber on the front of the eye covered by the cornea). The tissue is spongy and lined by trabeculocytes, it allows fluid to drain into a set of tubes called Schlemm's canal flowing into the blood system.

SLT lowers intraocular pressure by using short pulses of low energy laser light to target specific melanin containing cells in the trabecular meshwork, which stimulates an increase in fluid outflow. SLT retains the therapeutic benefit of a standard laser treatment in reducing intraocular pressure, without the thermal damage to the delicate trabecular meshwork structure.

I will elaborate on the above points:
SLT selectively targets pigmented cells, increasing fluid outflow
SLT reduces intra-ocular pressure without destroying or scarring healthy cells
SLT can be used to effectively treat some patients who could not benefit from ALT (argon laser trabeculoplasty)
SLT can be repeated if intra-ocular pressure goes back up
SLT can be used to re-treat patients whose previous ALT (argon laser trabeculoplasty) treatment has worn off.
SLT works by removing pigment from the drainage tissue of the eye, leaving a normal looking trabecular meshwork.


Please contact me if you need any further information  (+ info)

Why should valium not be used if you have narrow angle glaucoma?


I have looked all over the internet and can't find the answer, I know it says not to use it if you have NAG, but I don't understand why. My doctor has perscribed some to me, and two years ago I was treated for acute narrow angle glaucoma, and told that it could come back in the future. I haven't been checked since. I would really like to know what happens if I take the meds and my NAG is back. I really need some sleep!
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Evidently, it could raise the pressure in your eyes.  (+ info)

Are there any supplements that can help prevent glaucoma?


I'm curious if there are any supplements you can take that can help prevent glaucoma. Thanks.
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I'm not sure there is much you can do to prevent it, but plenty of vitamin C, exercise 4x/week for at least 20 min and avoiding caffeine can lower your eye pressure. My EP was 23 with my last exam (21 being top end of range) I added an extra day to my exercise regimen, upped my vitamin C to 3000mg/day and voila! with my next test, two weeks later, my EP was 21.
Having said that I was also on Effexor, a SSRI at the time, which is known to elevate EP, so my EP may be even lower now. :)  (+ info)

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