Glaucoma diagnosis

Hi I have this condition and have eye drops twice a day. I am seen at the hospital twice a year. If you have any family over the age of forty they will be entitled to have free eye test.

I have had it for over 20 with no problems I use the eye drops twice a day and have field tests at the hospital sometimes yearly. Mine has not changed in all that time the little bit of lost vision is not dectectable to me . Do bear in mind if you are a driver you have to tell the DVLA . I have to have a special field test every three years to kepp driving . If you are in England your children , if you have any , will probably get free eye tests if you say you have glaucoma . All tests are free in Scotland now anyway .

I don't think I have any written communication from the eye hospital actually calling it Glaucoma. For 20+ years I have had annual hospital eye tests, field tests pressure test etc etc and have eye drops Timoptol at night in both eyes.

The drops make my eyes sore so I use Viscotears gel drops in a tube which help.

I must dig out my hospital letters where I think they refer to the condition as Optical Pressure. I thought Glaucoma was the condition where the optic nerve is damaged..which mine is not. They say it is healthy. I look forward to other comments with interest. I tell people I have Glaucoma but I am not sure if that is 100% correct.

For most people, as long as you use the drops carefully glaucoma isn’t much of a problem, However one warning, be very careful about any medications you take as there are many that can cause problems including over the counter meds like anti-histamines. Ask anyone prescribing anything to check specifically .

My Mum had glaucoma so I've been having yearly eye tests. A few years ago the optician noticed that my 'angles were closing' which is one of the signs and as a consequence I had laser surgery, all done in one day and painless.

I have glaucoma and take latanoprost eye drops every night. I go for check ups at the eye clinic every 6 months.

When I was first referred, the doctor was unsure whether my diagnosis should be glaucoma or just ocular hypertension. It doesn't matter much to me because whatever they call it the treatment is still the same, eye drops every night.

Glaucoma UK glaucoma.uk is a good place to look for more info.

Thank you everyone for this very informative thread, which I have told my husband about.
His Dad had glaucoma so he's been having annual check-ups for years.
Six months ago he was referred to the hospital and diagnosed with glaucoma, just in one eye, and has drops to use every night.
He's checked on the DVLA website and apparently it only needs reporting if both eyes are affected.
His car insurance is due soon so I have suggested he lets them know.
He has his next check-up at the end of this month so 🤞

V3ra

Thank you everyone for this very informative thread, which I have told my husband about.
His Dad had glaucoma so he's been having annual check-ups for years.
Six months ago he was referred to the hospital and diagnosed with glaucoma, just in one eye, and has drops to use every night.
He's checked on the DVLA website and apparently it only needs reporting if both eyes are affected.
His car insurance is due soon so I have suggested he lets them know.
He has his next check-up at the end of this month so 🤞

I agree that you do not have to tell them if you only have it in one eye according to their website . I also have to declare that I am diabetic and on insulin . However they still make me have a field test despite me telling them it is in only one eye.

I have had glaucoma for about 6 years now but still have quite good eye sight.
I use cosopt in the morning and latanoprost at night. Like most people I had laser treatment at the beginning and replacement lenses which apparently are thinner than natural ones. Then a trabeculectomy (insertion of a small drainage tube) in the worst affected eye.
I will say that I was terrified in beginning and convinced I would go blind but all is well.

Thanks for all your experiences . I’ll look into it thoroughly on the glaucoma website.