One piece of advice for any baby-boomer fighting glaucoma or other eye diseases
April 18, 2017
The way the doctor explained it to me is that the glaucoma I've been living with for the past decade could bite me in the butt without any real warning. Tests show that I've lost substantial optic nerve which is essential for vision. Once you lose it you don't get it back. My loss has been stable, but my eye pressure has not been.
My glaucoma specialist explained to me that with those two components, I could soon face a situation where I have continued high pressure and some additional optic nerve loss. Experience shows, the doctor said, that when this starts, it can quite often lead to a quick loss of optic nerve and vision.
That's why I had a special surgery, yesterday, where my doctor inserted a tiny tube in my eye to help drain fluid with the hope of reducing pressure. Research published online shows that it has had good results.
This has been one more piece in a litany of eye procedures and experiences. Along the way, I've been pushed to the wall a couple of times. What has made a difference to me?
My wife Gladys has been to all the appointments with me and has helped keep me straight on taking eyedrops. She's my eyes and ears during appointments. Ophthalmologists seems to all talk very softly. She helps me listen.
Another help has been my FaceBook community who have been a great source of encouragement and prayer. I especially felt this yesterday as the doctor cut into my eye. I was conscious for the whole thing. Before the surgery, I was fearful about itching my nose or having to pee. I did it. And now it's recovery.