vision probs

[Rerun]

My vision has decreased to the point I can no longer DRIVE!  I've had to quit my day part-time job and volunteering.
I'm having trouble getting to and from treatment.  So, I welcome the driver-less car.   I just don't think it can get here in time for me and be anywhere affordable. 






topic split and moved from transplant thread mod Cas

[kickingandscreaming]

I don't know what your visual issues are about, Rerun, but about a year+ ago I went nearly blind in both eyes at around the same time.  Couldn't do much.  Turned out I had 2 cataracts.  After 2 surgeries, I can now see perfectly.  Hopefully there's an equally simple solution for you. Vision loss is really scary and limiting.

[Charlie B53]

Wife is having a very tough time right now with her eyes.  Not on Dialysis, I am that one.  She is Diabetic and not near as well controllled as I.  And she refuses to admit when I amright, so she will NOT follow my directions.

She has had multiple bleeds, which generaly clear up with time.  But gloucoma has caused damage to the right eye.  I should be P.O.'d her eye Dr didn't refer her a year ago to the other specialist that recently installed a pressure relief valve in the right eye.  The pressures now are perfect.  Had this been done a year while the pressures were still climbing, she may still have vision.

Now just waiting for the fogginess from the left eye bleeds to clear.

She is very depressed, by because 'I' mentioned it, she claims she is just 'fine'.  B.S.  I know better.  No one loses vision and are not bothered by it.

So Rerun, I understand what is happening to you.  Talk to your Dr's.  If you think taking something to help with depression can be helpful then by all means ASK.

[Rerun]

I don't know what your visual issues are about, Rerun, but about a year+ ago I went nearly blind in both eyes at around the same time.  Couldn't do much.  Turned out I had 2 cataracts.  After 2 surgeries, I can now see perfectly.  Hopefully there's an equally simple solution for you. Vision loss is really scary and limiting.

I am so glad for you. What a gift you were given back.  No, unfortunately, mine is Glaucoma.  Pressure in the eye and my extra fluid stays in my head/face which also puts pressure on the eyes.  It will only get worse.    

But, I could get in my driverless car and say Go to .... wherever and off I'd go.

[kickingandscreaming]

I hope it's a long while before that happens.  Have you considered Laser treatment?  I wish you well.

Laser Treatment
For patients who cannot tolerate medications or for whom medication alone has not been adequate, laser treatment continues to be an excellent alternative. It should be noted that laser may also be used as primary treatment. The advantage of this approach is that if adequate pressure lowering is achieved with laser treatment alone, the need for taking a daily medication may be delayed, along with the associated side effects.

The effect of laser treatment is typically not permanent, and many patients will eventually require medications. The most common laser treatments for glaucoma are selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT).
http://www.glaucoma.org/gleams/glaucoma-medications-and-their-side-effects.php

[Rerun]

Yes, I've had several laser treatments.

They got a new machine in August but didn't get me in until December.  I AM mad about that.  He should have made me a priority.  But, too late now.

[Chris]

Rerun has your doctor mentioned surgery that helps relieve pressure in the eye? Even after going blind I had the  what was referred to by the doc as a glaucoma patch. I have had it since mid 1995 and the only side effect is that the fluid drained makes it look like you are crying out of one eye.


You are most likely qualified for a guide dog once you have O&M training (basically using a cane to travel).

[Charlie B53]

I am seriously P.O.'d with Wife's Eye specialist.  She should have made the referral a year ago when her pressure in the right eye were hitting 25, instead of waiting until they were almost 50.  Damage to to optic nerve begins in the area of 25 as even then, you will have momentary spikes in pressure that do damage.

Now that she has the pressure relief valve in that eye no further damage will occur, but it is too late already for that eye.  Her left eye pressures are currently barely under 20 which is still acceptable.  If and when they reach mid 20's she needs to get in and get that pressure relief valve put in before loosing sight in that eye also.

Dr and I had a long talk about it.  Patsy seems to think she is 'Fine'.  No, she is not fine.  She needs to keep very tight control on her sugars.  But she seems to act like I don't know anything.

I hope you are keeping track of what is happening.  Dr tells me there is little to NO healing of the optic nerve.

So Sorry to hear you are having these problems also.   I wish there was something more I could do for both of you.

[Chris]

At 21 a closer eye should have been done with more frequent visits especial with diabetes as a main contributor to causing blindness.


Some doctors really piss me off.