Am I Doomed to Blindness?

[Moonglo]

Okay. I'm freaking myself out. Again.

For the last two eye appointments I've had, the doctor has been concerned about pressure, and he keeps writing "glaucoma suspect" in the diagnosis sheet I leave with. I missed my last appointment... I know I need to make another one...

But if I'm already suspected for glaucoma, what are the odds of me turning this around as I lose weight and get my glucose back in check???

Anyone else here have experience in this particular area?

[Dis-N-Dat]

Hi Moonglo:

This is all very scary at first, but it gets easier.

It's my understanding that glaucoma is typically age related and while not reversible, is successfully treated with minor surgery.

Uncontrolled Diabetes can lead to blindness. The condition is called Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetics are supposed to have frequent exams (every year) by an Opthamolagist.

I'm still very new at this, but if you keyword search this site (see in the lower right where it says search forums) you'll find some useful information.

Here's a link to some information put out by The Mayo Clinic, including prevention, symptoms etc. It's a little scary but gives you some good tools.
Diabetic retinopathy - MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetic-retinopathy/DS00447)

[yannah]

I have no idea what "suspect" means.

I would be asking though.

good glucose control is your goal in any event.

[Moonglo]

*sigh...* okay, I have an appointment for next Monday to get a "pressure check." Not looking forward to this at all...

[Dis-N-Dat]

Good job and yeah for you. By the way, have you made your annual appointent with your Podiatrist? (friendly nudge)

[Moonglo]

Good job and yeah for you. By the way, have you made your annual appointent with your Podiatrist? (friendly nudge)

Um... yeah, not yet... sounds like an awesome thing to do tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder! :)

[xMenace]

Okay. I'm freaking myself out. Again.

For the last two eye appointments I've had, the doctor has been concerned about pressure, and he keeps writing "glaucoma suspect" in the diagnosis sheet I leave with. I missed my last appointment... I know I need to make another one...

But if I'm already suspected for glaucoma, what are the odds of me turning this around as I lose weight and get my glucose back in check???

Anyone else here have experience in this particular area?

There is at best only a weak association between glaucoma and diabetes. With glaucoma it's very important to catch it early. Blindness is largely preventable.

So it's doubly imperative you see your optho annually!

[Barberian]

My previous college math professor was a unique case. He had very bad glaucoma, very early in life. He was even a case study (not sure if that's the right term) in a medical review that was submitted and published in a medical journal. He has been using eye drops every day since his early teens. The eye drops he uses daily help reduce the pressure in his eyes. His vision today is acceptable with glasses.

I also am borderline with glaucoma. I had a big work up this spring with several visits, and pictures taken of inside my eyes for reference later. the optic nerve cup edges in the back of my eyes are worn down or deformed to be less pronounced than normal. Eh, I'm not worried about it. Other than keeping my BP down, and my blood sugars down, there isn't much I can do other than make my appointments and follow up on them.

[capp3736]

I have always had very high optical pressure and finally when it got clost to 30, my eye Dr put me on Travatan eye drops and they work great. Also just had optical nerve pictures and a bunch of other tests and there is no diabetic damage. I do not think it is part of diabetes.

Margie

[Kathy Brown]

My eye pressure was high last Tuesday, so eye doc made an appointment for Thursday to re check... It was normal. Since I am newly diagnosed and my body is getting used to the meds the doc thought it was due to that.

He photographed my retinas, he said it can be monitored and treated if needed.

[Vicki NC]

Hope you had good luck on your appointment, Moonglo! Please let us know what's going on. You'll get tons of support and encouragement.

Just called my optho and made a much needed appointment for this Thursday--all due to being reminded by this thread. I absolutely LOVE this forum!

Moonglo, my mother, a retired RN, always tells me Go Go Go to the docs...better to treat the devil you know, than to let the one you don't know run wild. Try not to worry, and just look at it as another reason for getting your BG under control.

You've already gotten lots of great advice. Just remember glaucoma is treatable.

[Moonglo]

Thanks so much. My pressure numbers were 23 and 24... so, not incredibly high from what I understand, but high nonetheless. Right now the doctor doesn't even think I need eyedrops... so I guess it's not as bad as I was allowing myself to think.

Still need to make that foot doctor appointment, though...