Both of my parents had glaucoma…the kind requiring eye drops several times a day to lower eye pressures. So because of the hereditary nature of this condition, my optometrist screens me regularly. In 2017 and 2018 at my annual eye exams, I actually paid extra for a laser scan of my optic nerves to keep a close check on any abnormalities.
A couple of months ago when I had this year’s scan done, the optometrist noted changes from last year’s exam and showed me some “red” areas of abnormality that were concerning. So to investigate further, he referred me to a Glaucoma Center to see an ophthalmologist for additional glaucoma-specific testing. I couldn’t get an appointment right away, thus the long wait until the end of August to get this checked out.
So I went this week, and it turned out to be quite stressful! I had no idea they would be putting so many pieces of equipment directly on my corneas! They used numbing drops repeatedly, but it was hard to stop flinching whenever they would touch the surface of my eye with something and rest it there! The first technician probably poked me in the eyes 20 times without successfully completing the tests. I was about ready to leave when the specialist came in with her assistant. They added more numbing drops and tried again, getting it right the very first time with each eye. Go figure! She was very kind and gentle, and I appreciated her understanding for my very sensitive eyes! This is why I’ve never been a good candidate for contacts.
Anyway, she informed me that I appear to have Narrow Angle Glaucoma. Now I’d never heard of that, as it was different from what my parents had, so she had to explain it to me. Basically, the iris (the colored part of the eye) rests too close to the opening of the canal that drains fluid from the front of the eye, causing the opening to narrow…she likened it to putting a stopper in a sink. When it narrows or closes off, it causes increased pressure in the eye until it opens up again. She said my canal openings were narrow, but when she placed gentle pressure on the cornea, they opened up fully. My eye pressure was normal at about 16.
My appointment was in the morning, so she is having me return in October for an afternoon appointment to repeat the tests and compare. If it’s as she expects, then I will need to consider laser surgery to make a hole in my irises that will allow an extra place for fluid to drain. This is called a laser iridotomy. In the meantime, I’m not supposed to allow my eyes to dilate…like watching tv or reading in a dark room (like a movie theater). Allowing dilation could further restrict the canal openings, causing an acute glaucoma attack that can cause permanent blindness! I told her I strongly dislike having my eyes dilated…my old optometrist in VA did it every year…because it hurts my eyes and makes them very uncomfortable for the rest of the day. She said if in fact I do have narrow angle glaucoma, then that would make perfect sense. I’ve also been having periodic fuzzy vision that comes and goes, particularly in my right eye, which I’ve been complaining about for about a year and a half. That’s another symptom of the condition.
So it’s a lot to think about. I wish I could just hurry up and get it over with! The surgery leaves a black dot in each iris, which they try to conceal by putting it near the top so that it hides underneath your upper eyelid most of the time. I definitely don’t want to lose my vision, which is already bad enough. But there’s no way to know how much of a risk I have for an acute attack. She said it could just be the structure of my eye. I guess I’ll just have to wait to hear more after the next exam in October.
You can read all about this condition and the surgery on this helpful website, if you’re interested.
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