My 2 cents here as one who has glaucoma ....

Diagnosed as a glaucoma suspect some 20 years ago. Was on Xalatan eye drops but I was not a regualr user of this Xalatan (as a suspect only mah! Ha). Told by my doctor that I have glaucoma and not a suspect anymore a few years ago.

My lay-person's view is as below. For glaucoma, they check these 3 things among others,
* field vision (see if there is any area in your vision which you cannot see, excluding the blind spot)
* internal eye ball pressure,
* retina-optic nerve dip

For the 3rd one, mine is a lot deeper than normal. First 2 are within normal levels.

Cannot cure glaucoma, only maintain it. They do have laser treatment but that will not cure glaucoma.

I am now on Xalatan (once at night) and Alphagan (twice during day). Pressure below 15. Just because one's presure level is below the high level, it does not mean glaucoma is within control. Better to keep it as low as possible rather than sitting just below the high level.

Costs are RM70-100 per bottle. Each bottle can last for about a month.

Glaucoma checks 1-3 times per year. Cost = a few hundreds per viist.

Cheerio.

This post has been edited by plumberly: Apr 8 2013, 03:01 PM

You mentioned about red eye on applying the drops. I am about 2 yrs late in sharing here. Ha.

I used to get red eyes quite frequently. Later realised the wrong things I was doing which I have shared some where in LY.

Avoid hair shampoo or face cleanser from getting into the eyes. My trick now is to rinse away the hair shampoo after cleaning instead of leaving it there till I have used my body shampoo.

Also, dry the eye areas before applying face cleanser.

Rinse the eyes well before applying the eye drops. I guess the reaction between the eye drop solution and hair/face cleanser will give the eye a stinking feel and then the red eye.

This has helped in reducing my red eye frequency.

Cheerio.

P/S And my eye pressures are in 10-16 range. Got to 22 once, many years ago.

Good to hear on the drop in your pressures.

Mind elaborating on your eye massage technique you have perfected over the years?

Though I have lower pressure, my previous eye specialist told me that glaucoma can still deteriorate even with low pressure (I think there is a name for this which I have forgotten). So need to be aware of this.

My retina layer is thinner than most. Thus a worry. My previous eye specialist has a special machine that can take a thickness analysis of the layer. My current GH specialist told me that my retina layer is rather pale, indicating less blood there. So, a concern.

Need to step up my eye care in addition to my eye drops! Ha.

My 2 cents on glaucoma ..

* on glaucoma treatment for the past 20+ years
* on eye drops treatment (3 types per day)
* pressures ranged from 11-20
* but dont assume you are safe when the pressure is below the alarm (24 I think) as glaucoma damage can still persist when the pressure is low.
* cost? From memory for standard glaucoma check RM100+. Normally, eye pressure test, field of vision and internal eye structure visual check (?). For additional eye check, like the retina thickness layer, rm200+.
* don't be too focused now on getting the best eye specialist. Just go to a good one for your initial check. Only later if that doctor says you need surgery etc, then consult another one.
* first treatment phase is by eye drops.
* second treatment phase is by surgery (laser to punch a hole for the drainage)
* third stage ?
* glaucoma is a silent killer, you don't feel or see the symptoms till too late. So strongly advise you to follow Nike's slogan

JUST DO IT!

Ha.

All the best.

I am not in the medical field, so best not to revert with my advice here other than:
* need daily nutrients for health eyes (eg vitamin A)
* no idea on sinus impact

Sharing one tip (mind you, this is NOT a medical advice, just from my experience).

Do the eye movement exercise (up, down, left right, rectangle etc) once or twice a day. My belief is, this helps the eye muscle AND also dislodge any initial blockage of the drainage.

Welcome comments from eye doctors here. Thanks.