Useful info

There are literally hundreds of pharma companies in India from very
good ones to backyard manufacturers. I have tried medicines bought in
India which were always so much cheaper to the same in the US. I am
sorry to report I have been disappointed. My experience has been
substandard medicines and inadequate dosage. My heart suffered as a
result of cheap medicines bought in India. I would never risk my eyes
by getting any kind of eye drops from India. Incidently, before
rushing to accuse me of prejudice, let me state that I am an Indian
living in America.

ROFL! You have a valid point...
Interestingly - I searched for articles on alcohol and hypotension as well
as alcohol and hypertension.
Excessive intake can raise the blood pressure (anything over 1 or 2 drinks,
depending on age)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/AN00318
Yet at the same time it can precipitate orthostatic hypotension.
http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/101/4/398 (which I realize
isn't the same as the hypotension associated with glaucoma)
So it's a fine balance... (no pun intended)
Sherry
-----original message-----

Passing this along
A patient of mine told me he had obtained 'generic' cosopt from
canadapharmacy.com; I was unaware that a generic was available anywhere, so
I asked him to bring it in for me to see. Attached is the package insert
from 'Misopt', produced by a company in India.
If you go to the canadapharmacy.com website, the cost of this generic Cosopt
is $59 versus $219 for branded Cosopt (10ml).
Has anyone else seen this? Does anyone know anything about this company in
India? I thought Cosopt was still under patent protection in North America
until later this year - is it already off patent in Canada? Is it legal to
import generics not yet approved in the US?
Jamie

I think I went into this recently. Dr. Flammer in Switzerland gives them. He thinks they improve circulation as opposed to raising blood pressure. My cardiologist with NTG says his blood pressure rises with V8 juice. I prefer the latter. You can't put vodka in a salt tablet.
On 2/22/08 4:56 PM, "Pat" <beric4@...

Hi Dr. Ritch,

Thanks for your reply. I am to assume then that salt tablets would be okay to take for low blood pressure? Is there a certain dosage you would recommend? My ophthalmologist I have been seeing has now retired and my new one has never suggested this therapy.

I don't want to take something that will cause other problems so is it safe to say that salt tablets are not going to create other risks? Thanks again!

Patricia

Robert Ritch, MD
Shelley and Steven Einhorn Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Chief, Glaucoma Service
Surgeon Director
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
310 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
Medical Director and
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board
The Glaucoma Foundation
Director of Intelligence: Karen Cheifetz
Direct Tel: 212-673-5140
kcheifetz@...
Patient Appointments - Tel: 212-477-7540
Fax: 212-420-8743
e-mail: ritchmd@...
http://www.glaucoma.net
http://www.nyee.edu

Rob,
I would go to a glaucoma specialist for the initial diagnosis and treatment,
at the very minimum. If he or she has a good working relationship with your
ophthalmologist, most likely your ophthalmologist could follow your IOP and
check on your optic nerves on a regular basis.
Sometimes a glaucoma specialist could spot optic nerve damage that an
ophthalmologist can't. So much of it is a matter of experience.
Do take him up on the offer for a second opinion. At the very least it can
give you peace of mind!
Sherry

I am sorry but I am not sure what you are asking. Is this about information you need or what to ask your doctor? I would try to help if you could say a bit more
"mary.murphy28" <mary.murphy28@...

What do I need to know now and what questions do I need to ask? What do
I need to prioritize? thanks

Hi Dr. Ritch,

Thanks for your reply. I am to assume then that salt tablets would be okay to take for low blood pressure? Is there a certain dosage you would recommend? My ophthalmologist I have been seeing has now retired and my new one has never suggested this therapy.

I don't want to take something that will cause other problems so is it safe to say that salt tablets are not going to create other risks? Thanks again!

Patricia

Hi, I'd like to get some thoughts on this question: Are you all going
to glaucoma specialists or do you think an experienced general
opthalmologist with a good reputation is fine?
A few details about me: Male, 44. High pressures were first detected
about four years ago...maybe 26 or 27 in each eye. Have been on
Xalatan and now it seems to hover around 21 for each eye. I am given
visual field tests periodically, and recently they used a new machine
to take photos of my optic nerves and measure their thickness.
One unusual factor is that when I was about 23, I lost my sight for a
week due to bilateral optic neuritis (optic nerve inflammation).
Lucky for me (understatement!) the vision came back after a week in
the hospital and IV steroids. They never found a reason for the
neuritis and it has not recurred, knock wood.
The thickness of my optic nerves, according to the last test, shows
it's thinner than normal for someone my age. The doctor says that
does not mean there is optic nerve damage due to optic pressure, it
could just be leftover damage from my bout with optic neuritis years
ago. But he wants to follow me closely and I come in every three
months. He says I do not have glaucoma per se, just high occular
pressure, since there is no clear evidence of recent eye damage.
So...do you think it's OK to keep seeing a generalist? I have
confidence in him and I like him (he is easy to talk to). He was very
willing to give me the name of a specialist but said his office
handles people like me all the time.
Ideas?
Rob

What do I need to know now and what questions do I need to ask? What do
I need to prioritize? thanks

Hi Andrea,

I went back to school when I was 61 with a sciatica condition and very little vision in one eye and have never regretted it. I had been a social worker in the past but could not find a job anywhere without a driver's license. I am now an employment counsellor working mostly at home and just love my work. It is very meaningful and rewarding to see people get jobs and turn their lives around. People were sceptical of my situation and going back to school for a year but God has worked it out beautifully for me and I am so glad I did it.

If you have the desire, God has probably given you that desire and He will work it out for you if you let Him.

Hazel C.

You're young. Unfortunately, you have a lot of heath issues to deal with, as
do many of us on the list, in addition to glaucoma. We just have to learn
to work within our limitations.
One of my dreams when I was younger was to be a microbiologist and find
cures for diseases. With all the floaters I have, it's a darn good thing I
didn't go into microbiology as I'd be discovering all sorts of new
micro-organisms <rbg
and when I was 56, I found my dream job doing customer support for a
genealogy program I really love using. And since it's mostly computer work,
I have a lot of capability of adjusting fonts, resolution, brightness,
contrast, etc so it's comfortable on my eyes and I can take as many breaks
as I need to give my eyes a rest from the computer screen.
My glaucoma limits me a bit but I've discovered there's always something
else to do if I can't do what I want to! Yoga is cool but I can't do
inversions so I just do movements that don't invert. Reading can be
difficult in certain lighting situations or even certain font styles or
colors, so I bought a "head lamp" to wear when I'm reading in bed (the
bedside light isn't very bright) and look for a different edition of a book
that has better fonts (yup, they're out there if you look hard enough!) Of
course, there are always audio books now too for those who can't read
because of their glaucoma.
There are many visual artists as well as performing artists who have vision
problems, even blindness. So that shouldn't necessarily stop you either!
So much of it is attitude and determination...... And no, 57 is not too old
to switch careers!
Sherry
-----Original message-----

I read about the risk for those who are over 60 years old. I am 57 but also have had it undiagnosed for awhile. Part of what I struggle with, even now is my age. I just dont feel I am as old as I am. Inside I should go jog and run, swim and do all sorts of things. My body got old before I did on the inside. Does anyone else ever think this? I would love to get another degree and a new career. I am 57 so how realistic is that. Then vision issues and all sorts of others. How did this happen?

Dr. Ritch,
As Dick has mentioned, we have been able to secure a placement for
World Glaucoma Day on The Huffington Post. Dr. Rock Positano's article,
devoted to the event, has just been posted this morning. The Huffington
Post is one of the most widely read news blogs in the country and
regularly features columns from prominent journalists, politicians, and
entertainers. Here is a link to the article and text copy:
Best regards,
Brian
Brian Downey
Vice President
R.C. Auletta and Company
59 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 355-0400
Fax: (212) 355-0835
Email: bdowney@...
============================================================
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-rock-positano/glaucoma-the-thief-that-_b_87
228.html
THE HUFFINGTON POST
Glaucoma: The Thief That Can Rob You Blind
By Dr. Rock Positanto
February 22, 2008
It is a leading cause of blindness around the globe. Yet more than half
of the people who have the disease don't even know they have it. No
wonder Glaucoma is known as "the sneak thief of sight."
It is a disease characterized by gradual loss of vision resulting from
death of the cells in the eye which transmit visual images through the
optic nerve to the brain. As the optic nerve becomes increasingly
damaged, permanent vision loss and blindness can occur. While early
detection is the key to treating and halting the effects of glaucoma,
current worldwide estimates reveal that more than 50 percent of glaucoma
sufferers in developed countries remain unaware of having the disease.
This startling number is as high as 90 percent in many undeveloped
nations.
In an effort to fight the disturbing lack of knowledge about this
serious health threat, the World Glaucoma Association and the World
Glaucoma Patient Organization have announced the first annual World
Glaucoma Day, to be observed on March 6, 2008. The day will be marked by
awareness and educational events organized by glaucoma institutions and
local patient support groups worldwide, as listed on www.wgday.net.
A driving force behind this first annual observance is Robert Ritch,
MD. An internationally renowned expert on the nature and treatment of
glaucoma, he is a leading member of the World Glaucoma Day committee for
the World Glaucoma Association and co-founder of the World Glaucoma
Patient Association. Dr. Ritch is also professor and chief of glaucoma
services at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and has co-authored five
textbooks and over 1,000 medical and scientific papers, book chapters,
articles and abstracts. He frequently lectures and conducts charitable
glaucoma medical programs in a wide range of countries, and has trained
nearly 100 clinical and research fellows, many of whom occupy academic
positions worldwide.
"Because glaucoma strikes so silently and gradually, it is absolutely
crucial to educate people about the value of early detection," said Dr.
Ritch. "For a disease that causes permanent blindness, it is truly
unacceptable that so many people remain unaware of its impact and
consequences. Individuals in our country need to be much more vigilant
about glaucoma, especially if they fall into one of the higher risk
groups."
Persons at high risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined for
the disease at least every two years by an eye care professional. In the
United States, at risk groups include: people with a family history of
glaucoma, African-Americans over the age of 40, people who are very
nearsighted or farsighted, and all persons over the age of 60.
In the early stages of glaucoma, there may be no symptoms and vision
can appear to be normal until a large amount has been lost. If
undetected and untreated, glaucoma will gradually claim all peripheral
vision and move on to cause total blindness. With early detection,
glaucoma can be treated with eye drops to lower intraocular pressure.
Other standard methods of treatment include laser and operative surgery.
Treatment can usually halt the disease, but it cannot reverse the damage
that has been done. Glaucoma can develop in one of both eyes.
# # #
------ End of Forwarded Message

Thanks Patricia,

I wish you luck as well : )

Dora

Pat <beric4@...

Dora,
I read your entry and you sound like you are in a very similar situation as myself. I am also under 50 and have tried every drop I think by now plus have had ALT and SLT and nothing seems to get my pressures down very much. My dr. has also told me I need surgery. She said it is not an emergency but the time has come and it will have to happen. I also am terrified to say the least at the prospect. I know that in younger people there seems to be more of a risk that it wont work.
I wish you the best of luck with everything.
Patricia

Try another pharmacist
On 2/21/08 10:06 PM, "Pat" <beric4@...

Hi Dr. Ritch,

I just was at my dr. today and had my blood pressure checked. It was 80/50. I am under 50 years old and have always had low blood pressure. It doesn't bother me in any way except that I know it is very bad for my eyes. I can only imagine how low it gets at night. I have had the 24 hour one done twice and it was getting to about 80/50 at night but this was checked during the day today. I suffer from a lot of migraines (probably 2 + per week) and have NTG so I know that blood pressure is a huge factor.

I would like to know if you have any suggestions for people with these low pressures. I know it was suggested to drink V8 juice at night or eat something salty. I like the V8 juice suggestion but for myself, tomatoes give me a migraine so I need to find some other salty drink/food. I was told at one point by my ophthalmologist that I should take salt pills. The pharmacist told me they wouldn't give them to me as they are only for athletes when they are really working out. There has to be something I can take that is not going to cause other problems??

Thanks very much!

Patricia

Robert Ritch, MD
Shelley and Steven Einhorn Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Chief, Glaucoma Service
Surgeon Director
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
310 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
Medical Director and
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board
The Glaucoma Foundation
Director of Intelligence: Karen Cheifetz
Direct Tel: 212-673-5140
kcheifetz@...
Patient Appointments - Tel: 212-477-7540
Fax: 212-420-8743
e-mail: ritchmd@...
http://www.glaucoma.net
http://www.nyee.edu

I read the entire site because I was so impressed. I have often said that because or my heart I appreciate every day more and live in the moment. I am working on being more mellow. Yesterday I was very out of wack and called my doctor. Turned out it was withdrawal from a medication I was taking. It is all so complex. I am working on better self care. I notice more when I read about food and nutrition, eyes are mentioned. Either I didnt notice before or there is indeed more attention to the eyes. Bless you David for letting us know you can take care of yourself by monitoring stress and IOP and inner peace/
emc <emccmd@...

Just read David's blog and was so touched by it. I have been going through
all those things too with loss of some vision and optic nerve damage and have
found myself getting in high gear to protect my vision as well as get healthier
in my whole bod and protect it too. I completely got you..... Thanks for putting
it in such nice words.
emc

Dora,

I read your entry and you sound like you are in a very similar situation as myself. I am also under 50 and have tried every drop I think by now plus have had ALT and SLT and nothing seems to get my pressures down very much. My dr. has also told me I need surgery. She said it is not an emergency but the time has come and it will have to happen. I also am terrified to say the least at the prospect. I know that in younger people there seems to be more of a risk that it won't work.

I wish you the best of luck with everything.

Patricia

Hi Dr. Ritch,

I just was at my dr. today and had my blood pressure checked. It was 80/50. I am under 50 years old and have always had low blood pressure. It doesn't bother me in any way except that I know it is very bad for my eyes. I can only imagine how low it gets at night. I have had the 24 hour one done twice and it was getting to about 80/50 at night but this was checked during the day today. I suffer from a lot of migraines (probably 2 + per week) and have NTG so I know that blood pressure is a huge factor.

I would like to know if you have any suggestions for people with these low pressures. I know it was suggested to drink V8 juice at night or eat something salty. I like the V8 juice suggestion but for myself, tomatoes give me a migraine so I need to find some other salty drink/food. I was told at one point by my ophthalmologist that I should take salt pills. The pharmacist told me they wouldn't give them to me as they are only for athletes when they are really working out. There has to be something I can take that is not going to cause other problems??

Thanks very much!

Patricia

Just read David's blog and was so touched by it. I have been going through

all those things too with loss of some vision and optic nerve damage and have

found myself getting in high gear to protect my vision as well as get healthier

in my whole bod and protect it too. I completely got you..... Thanks for putting

it in such nice words.

emc

Glaucoma Group:
I don't know if any of you would be interested, but I received
notification of a "Teleclass" being taught next week by a Dr. Marc
Grossman. He specializes in holistic and natural health. I know that
all of us here suffer from a wide range of problems, but maybe some of
this information can be of use to us (it certainly couldn't hurt I
suppose). I will give you the link and you can sign up for the class
from there if you wish.
http://www.bettervision.com/teleclass-grossman-teaser.html
Thanks,
Julie

Harp music has been found to be very calming for dementia patients. When I
was working in the nursing home a harpist would make the rounds at least
once a month. I found it also very soothing.
Wonder if this would be a good stress reliever for us glaucoma patients! Ok
- digging out my Mozart CD's.
Sherry
-----Original message-----

Music Hits Right Note for Stroke Patients <http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest/2008/02/20/music-hits-right-note-for-stroke-patients-89520-20325440/
MICHAEL KAHN - Reuters

LONDON -- Music hits right note for stroke patients
A little Beethoven is good for the brain, according to a Finnish study published on Wednesday showing that music helps people recover more quickly from strokes.
And patients who listened to a few hours of music each day soon after a stroke also improved their verbal memory and were in a better mood compared to patients who did not listen to music or used audio books, the researchers said.
Music therapy has long been used in a range of treatments but the study published in the journal Brain is the first to show the effect in people, they added.
"These findings demonstrate for the first time that music listening during the early post-stroke stage can enhance cognitive recovery and prevent negative mood," the researchers wrote.
Strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked, can kill brain tissue and are one of the worldwide leading causes of death and permanent disability. Treatments include blood thinning drugs and attempts to lower cholesterol.
The study involved 60 people who recently had a stroke of the middle cerebral artery in the left or right side of the brain. This is the most common stroke and can affect motor control, speech and a range of other cognitive functions.
One group listened to their favourite music every day or used audio books while another did not listen to any music. All volunteers received standard rehabilitation treatment.
Three months after stroke music listeners showed a 60 percent better improvement in verbal memory compared to an 18 percent benefit for those using audio books and 29 percent for people who did not listen to either.
The ability to focus attention also improved by 17 percent in music listeners, said Teppo Sarkamo, a psychologist at the Cognitive Brain Research Unit at the University of Helsinki, who led the study.
"We can't say what is happening in the brain but based on previous research and theory it may be music listening could actually activate the brain areas that are recovering," he said in a telephone interview.
Music might also in some way activate more general mechanisms that repair and renew the brain's neural networks after stroke, Sarkamo said.
Larger studies are needed to better understand exactly what is going on but these findings show that music may offer a cheap, easy additional treatment for stroke patients, he said.
"This could be considered a pilot study," Sarkamo said. "It is a promising start.

I too have a proview and would agree with Dwight.
Not an accurate IOP measurement, but certainly a trend.
Joyce

Please check the group archives for a recent post on the Proview. It's not
reliable when the pressures are outside the normal ranges - which in my
opinion makes it totally useless!
Sherry

Just saw the proview home eye pressure monitor advertised for between
seventy to a hundred dollars. Its made by Bausch. For the first time
there seems to be something that doesnt cost thousands. Has anyone
tried this and any opinions? If its any good it would be useful to have
for home readings.

Open Angle - the most common - hereditary
My brother and I both have it (ages 66 and 63) but have no clue how
many generations back it stems from - our parents do not remember
anyone in either family who was blind.

Exercise can reduce IOP more than 25%. Other things can as well.
What I call our "inner fitness" (which includes the state of our
thougths and emotions) can also alter IOP by more than 25% in both
directions. In other words, lack of good "inner fitness" can increase
IOP more than 25% and good "inner fitness" can reduce IOP more than 25%.
David
http://fiteyes.com/blogs/dave

Hi....I am still a "suspect" for the disease but if it progresses then Open Angle..

I do have risk factors..I am Type 2 diabetic...but I was also diagnosed 2 months ago with Hypothyroidism...I have been told that my IOP might lower as I get it functioning right(the Thyroid controls just about every body ysytem)....Time will tell....

Beth J.

The announcement I want to hear is World Glaucoma Cure Day!
Original Message:

------ Forwarded Message
From: Brian Downey <bdowney@...
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:54:47 -0500
To: <ritchmd@...
Cc: <JThomas@...
Subject: US Presidential Proclamation - World Glaucoma Day
Dr. Ritch,
We have been able to confirm that the White House will issue a US
Presidential Proclamation honoring World Glaucoma Day.
Look forward to hearing back from you.
Best regards,
Brian
Brian Downey
Vice President
R.C. Auletta and Company
59 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 355-0400
Fax: (212) 355-0835
Email: bdowney@...
------ End of Forwarded Message

Best to go with your glauc doc's recommendations. If you're still having
problems with bleb leaks, you probably should avoid any kind of bending,
lifting or straining.
Sherry
-----Original message-----

Sherry please discard original message as it had two typos.

Here is the corrected version:

My eye pressure from age 20 to age 55 was 20 (between 18 and 24).

At 55 I was diagnosed with Normal Tension Glaucoma.

At age 55 I started taking eye drops. I am now 62.

My eye pressure last week was 10 (left eye 9, right eye 11).

I take Cosopt 2x a day, Lumigan 1x a day and Brimonidine 3x a day.

I also take Ginko Biloba (60 mg) 1x a day & fish oil (1200 mg) 2x a day.

I sleep with a wedge pillow & try to walk up and down lots of stairs

(which is not too difficult as we live in a high-rise NYC apartment building

and I use subway trains to get to work).

I am a photo archivist at a NYC museum.

Eyesight is central to this line of work.

I am quite happy to take eyedrops 6x a day if it helps preserve my sight.

Not even glaucoma meds will lower the IOP by 20-25%. My trabs did,
but then I was lucky.... and had a really good surgeon.
S.-a direct quote from Sherry

eye pressure of 32 lowered to 24 is unreasonable
eye pressure of 40 lowered to 30 is unreasonable?
Sincerely,

Andrea
Andrea Schaerf, M.Ed.
Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant
artability.biz

Good Idea, I have acute angle closure of left and chronic angle closure of
right......Jan

Since there are different types of Glaucoma under the heading of
glaucoma, I wonder what kind people on the group do have? I think my
glaucoma was triggered by cardiac arrythmia, Diabetis can be a risk
factor It would make communicating more clear.Thanks

To correctly quote the article you read:
"What's interesting to note is that in order to achieve a positive
neuroprotective effect, you don't have to exercise rigorously. IOP can be
lowered by exercise that raises the pulse just 20-25% -that could be a brisk
walk - for 20 minutes, a minimum of four times a week."
http://www.glaucoma.org/living/aerobic_exercis.php
So exercise does *not* lower the IOP that much. The article said that
raising the pulse rate by that much can lower the IOP.
Sherry

A gripe of mine:
Been to a rock concert or a show lately? They've taken to turning the stage lights on the audience from time to time. I'm okay with the house lights, but the stage lights? Please.
On 2/17/08 10:55 PM, "Sherry" <sherdh@...

That's another gripe of mine! The lighting levels in restaurants and public
bathrooms! I always ask for the brightest table (and I can see the
difference and hubby always looks at me questioningly when I say "this one's
brighter" <g
be turned up so I can read the menu (usually when there aren't many people
in the restaurant) or just walked out, commenting "it's too dark in here to
read the menu so I might as well not stay".
I dined with one person who had glaucoma and always had a book light in his
pocket so he could see his meal if it was too dark!
I know some people with impaired vision will have a problem with bright
lights and glare - easy enough to compensate for with sun glasses, I would
think, but why should I have to bring a flashlight with me when I want to
eat?
Sherry

I just read on the Glaucma Research Foundation website that aerobic exercise not
only protects the optic nerve and the rest of the eye, but can also lower iop by
20 to 25 %. Filtering surgery also increases the risk for cataractsSincerely,
AndreaAndrea Schaerf, M.Ed.Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant

Does anyone know if there is a link between retinoschisis and macular
oedema?
Joyce

Before my doctor remodeled his office, the lights were bright and there was also
a skylight.
The downside was that for people who had to have their eyes dilated for an exam,
they
cowered in their seats, squinting around the room or wearing sunglasses. When
I was on
Diamox I was also very light-sensitive.
Now the new office makes sense for everyone -- the main seating area has very
bright
lights for reading. There's also a corner area that has indirect lighting and
some people
automatically head over there. No reason that restaurants couldn't adopt a
similar lighting
plan.
Patricia P

It's usually worse for me in the morning and most of the time have a hard
time reading the morning newspaper (but usually I'm not missing that much
anyway <g
Strangest is when just out of the blue during the day when things go blurry.
Could be tear layer affecting the vision too. Sometimes I'll try lubricating
drops.
S.

Several people mentioned in their posts that their vision had
deteriorated after using Xalatan/Lumigan. I would just like to suggest
that you get a retinal scan and find out if you are having macular
edema, which can potentially be caused by these drops. That was my
case, and I needed to stop the Lumigan or Xalatan and take an
anti-inflammatory to reduce the swelling. It has been a week now, and
my vision is still really much worse than previous to the
Xalatan/Lumigan. It may well NOT be the case for others, but it's
definitely worth checking out if your eye doc is willing to do the
test, because if you have that problem, it is important to find out
asap and stop the drops before permanent damage occurs. All best to
everyone, and thanks so much for all the good support we get from one
another!! Sorry we are all in the situation to need it, but glad it's
available!! Marjorie

I notice several people mention that their vision changes a lot during
the day. I notice it is worst in the morning, and best around early
afternoon, decreasing again towards evening. It also changes with the
amount of rest I get--less sleep, less vision. This occurs in my
"good" eye as well as my "bad" eye. I never noticed it before I had
cataract surgery about 6 months ago. Curious. Any comments?

I had an iridotomy, where they fired around 8 shots in the retina to make small
holes allowing drainage to happen. It was not very effective as the steroid
drops used to prevent anti-imflammation caused the IOP to go up from 23 to 32
and although a course of Iopodine drops was then used (fluid reducing
properties), got the IOP down to 17 I was still recommended trab surgery, to
which I am recovering from now.

Forgot to say I have same reading issues at times,,,phone books for example!!
pet hate!!! Jan

I am not on any drops or medications of any kind.and still get days of red eye ? why, at times it will be from hairwashing,,just putting my head down in the basin, or it could be the wind, or bright sunlight, just anything seems to set it off, being so damaged seems to make it very vulnerable....Jan

That's another gripe of mine! The lighting levels in restaurants and public
bathrooms! I always ask for the brightest table (and I can see the
difference and hubby always looks at me questioningly when I say "this one's
brighter" <g
be turned up so I can read the menu (usually when there aren't many people
in the restaurant) or just walked out, commenting "it's too dark in here to
read the menu so I might as well not stay".
I dined with one person who had glaucoma and always had a book light in his
pocket so he could see his meal if it was too dark!
I know some people with impaired vision will have a problem with bright
lights and glare - easy enough to compensate for with sun glasses, I would
think, but why should I have to bring a flashlight with me when I want to
eat?
Sherry

Hi everybody,
been a bit since I mailed to this group.
was diagnosed with glaucoma back in August..was on Betimol initially ..now on
Xalatan....lesser side effects..much better ...except that my vision seems to
detiorating with it..a lot more blurrier and I seem to have problems reading
..sometimes read an 8 as a 0 or a 3 etc..
Does anyone else experience this? or is it just me?
WS

You should see how low the lighting
is at my Ophthalmologist restrooms
in her office! I felt like I was
in a bar restroom. I wore my
contacts
once and needed to take them off
and not drop them down the sink
and can't find them easily
sometimes. I was just amazed that
I was
in a Drs. office. It was decorated
very pretty though, ha, ha.
emc
_____

I guess it's almost like the adage "walk a mile in my shoes". I do so wish
that web designers and magazine and book publishers would understand what
it's like to have impaired vision so they could understand how difficult it
can be for us to read their material.
Too many times I've picked up a magazine or browsed to a website that I
wanted to read and because of the low-contrast or too busy backgrounds, I've
just put the magazine down or moved on to another web page. I'm sure I've
missed something worth viewing but I just don't have the time to try to sort
through unreadable information!
And what really blew me away a few years ago was the web page I went to for
an *eye doctor's* office! It was just not readable for anyone with limited
vision! I wrote to them that they needed to make it readable for their
*potential customers* but never heard back.
Sherry

If I were to say what a blind person "looked like" I'd say someone who wears dark glasses all the time or has a vacant stare.

Sounds like the teenagers were more "adult" than the adults around them! Good for them!

Sherry

Thanks, Becky. I was wondering about surgery as well, and I do have an
appointment for a second opinion next week. However, the nearest
glaucoma specialist I have found is over an hour away, so again I am
going to an opthalmologist who treats many glaucoma patients, but who
is not actually a specialist. We'll see what he says. I must admit, I
have found more help on this chat than from my eye doctor!! Thanks
everyone. Marjorie

Hi Lyn,
I think her doctor would have to be the one to make this determination.
I too am on pilocarpine and do not like it either. I also take Trusopt and Xalatan, which are fine, and some ointment for a corneal problem.
The pilocarpine is not much fun but I don't think I have an alternative. That doesn't mean your mother doesn't.
Best,
David

Does anyone know of any alternatives to pilocarpine? My mom's on several drops (and a pill) now to control her glaucoma, but it's the pilocarpine (which makes her pupils smaller) that she really hates. Has anyone heard of any alternatives to this drug?

Lyn
**************
Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.
(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

Sorry for having brought up this topic and then bailed out.
I haven't bee at the computer for a few days.
Matthew, I have heard the joke before but think it's amusing. I at times feel ALMOST that way with Xia, who has a habit of stopping in the street to watch other dogs instead of get me across.
Dora, I do think the guy at the opera was that way partly because I do not look blind -- whatever blind actually looks like. I think some people have antiquated stereotypes of what disabled people look like, how they act, and what they do and are unable to do.
Once I went to a Mets game with my previous dog, Siri, and the guard refused to help me find my seat. He used a sort of high fallutin phrasing to give his opinion: *Frankly,* he said, I'm rather surprised that you came here by yourself at all.* LOL.
I guess he thought maybe I would have come in an ambulette with an attendant.
Some teenagers heard what was going on sand said they'd get me to the seat, which they did.
Finally, yes, indeed there are service dogs for other disabilities. I am all for this but have qualms about two types.
(Sherry and Deah, I know this is off-topic. It's just one comment, though: I don't like the idea of dogs actually pulling wheelchairs or supporting people's weight and I am a strong advocate for all service dogs' having some sort of training.
Thanks, all, and take care --
David and Xia
**************
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Hi

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. That really is complicated if the drops cause problems but the diamox lowers the pressure in the other eye too much.

I realise that surgery of any kind is usually a last resort but would one of the several surgeries not be a solution? I realise that many people (myself included) have to use drops even though they have had surgery although some people are 'drop free'. I'm sure if your eye doctor thought surgery was the best choice it would be offered, it's just a real problem that the only thing that brings the pressure down in that eye causes unnecesary problems in the other eye.

I'm just clutching at straws and others on the list may have better advice. A second opinion can often be useful if it is an option.

I hope that you manage to find a solution.

With best wishes

Becky

Chuck,
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I hope you're seeing a glaucoma specialist
for proper care. And hopefully the glaucoma specialist believes in
education as much as mine does!
We've got a great group of listers, many of them quite knowledgeable and all
of them can understand what you're going through. We even have a world
renown glaucoma specialist, Dr. Robert Ritch of the New York Eye and Ear
Infirmary, in our midst who responds frequently to the more "technical"
questions that the rest of our listers are unable to answer.
So just ask away!
Please remember that the list is moderated and the two moderators have other
lives so if your message doesn't show up right away be patient. We'll get it
posted as soon as we can.
Oh, and don't forget to take a look at the web links on the left side of the
group's home page. You'll find links to some great sites as well as a lot
of items in the Files section, many of them research papers from Dr. Ritch.
Plus, if you like the "personal" touch, some of our listers have submitted
pictures for the Photos section.
This is a great group!
Sherry
List owner
-----Original message----

I have just been diagnosed with glaucoma and have many questions. Is there a chat group, or would someone e-mail me, someone who would be willing to correspond with me until I figure out how to use this website. thank you Chuck D

Hi Everyone, I have one eye which is almost always 16, and the other
which has spiked up to 45 a few times that I KNOW of, even with 3
different drops, and has probably spiked numerous other times as well.
I can tell that stress raises the iop in the one eye, but not the
other. I have had retinal surgery in the eye with the fluctuating
pressure, but my opth. doesn't seem to think that affects it, whereas
I am pretty sure it does. I never had problems with the pressure
before the surgery, although it was regularly between 18-20. Anyone
else have this situation? He can't find a drop that doesn't make the
retina/macula swell, so he has me on diamox sequels, but that reduces
the pressure in the other eye to 8 or so, which is too low and affects
the vision negatively. What to do???

Does anyone know of any alternatives to pilocarpine? My mom's on several drops (and a pill) now to control her glaucoma, but it's the pilocarpine (which makes her pupils smaller) that she really hates. Has anyone heard of any alternatives to this drug?

Lyn

Here in France there is a public awareness campaign about the needs of disabled
people
but I don't agree with their new signs to designate disabled parking. They are
trying to
discourage non-authorized use of these spots. The sign translates to 'if you
take my place,
take my disability too.' Everyone I know thinks this makes perfect sense, along
the lines of
"imagine how horrible it would be to have a disability!" This logic grates on
my
sensitivities.

Has anyone had experience with Trabectome and when it is warranted
instead of a Trab surgery????

Role identified for glaucoma gene

and related signaling pathway

Researchers have found that a gene and a related signaling pathway play

a role in the development of glaucoma, which is a common cause of visual

impairment and blindness worldwide. The team was led by Alcon Research

and included investigators from the University of Iowa and the National

Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health.

The study, which revealed that over-expression of the gene, sFRP1,

elevates pressure in the eye, could help improve glaucoma diagnosis

and lead to the development of sight-saving treatments. The study

results appeared online Feb. 14 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation....

[for the rest of the press release:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/uoi-rif021308.php]

Do people who have repiratory illnesses have high IOP? My doctor told me today that if my heart stops for even 10 seconds, it will effect the optic nerve.
Sincerely,

Andrea
Andrea Schaerf, M.Ed.
Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant

I agree that it is really impossible to make assumptions about other people's disabilities.
Example: my partner is not "confined" to a scooter; because she can walk short distances. However, needs the scooter
for long distances. So when people see her park in a handicapped spot, then walk to the back of the car, lift out her
scooter's parts, and put it together, then ride in it, they may ask the question "why is she using the handidcapped spot
when she can walk?"
In reality, if Mary did not have her scooter, she would be in great pain at the end of a typiical day of shopping:
and really needs that handicapped spot.
Often people may have a heart condition: which it is impossible to tell by looking at them: but they need that spot too.
But it's impossible to tell.
Unfortunately though there are people who don't need these parking spaces and take advantage: but the way I look at it,
what goes around comes around: and eventually (hopefully) their conscience will catch up with them: maybe some day
when they have a real disability.
Laurie

People with different disabilities can have service dogd. This includes hearing
and mental health. Some people with mental health disabilities get trained
service dogs so they are able to go out in public. They wear jackets that say
service dog. They are trained as well. I would guess folks who have other
disabilities help raise questions for those who have visual impairments or who
are blind. Just like parking spaces. I use them. If you see me just as I get out
of my car I may look fine. If you watched me until I returned, I barely make it
back to my car most of the time.I am too vain to use a cane.Also my hands and
wrists also have problems holding onto it. I probably couldnt hold myself up
with one or even a walker due to the lack of strength and fatigue. Sincerely,
AndreaAndrea Schaerf, M.Ed.Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant

There is a very interesting novel called 'my sister's keeper'. (jody picoult)and one of the characters, a lawyer, has a service dog. you don't find out why until the very end of this very good book, but the hilarious thing is that throughout the book he is verbally assaulted for having a service dog for no apparent reason, and the ridiculous different answers he gives are alone worth reading the book.

would love to hear more about xia, david! she sounds like a good friend.

joanne

Terrible Old Joke Warning!
If you think you might be upset or offended by a seeing eye dog joke, don't read on.
On the off chance you've never heard it... Here goes.

I thnk sometimes we all do that, and the handicapped parking spot is a real
bone of contention, over which people fly off the handle easily. If
they're entitled or not, people want to be able to park, and that's often
difficult. So tempers flare.
If someone is capable of appearing to be perfectly normal, they shouldn't
park in a handicapped spot, no matter what their tag, or their disability,
and we all see people take advantage regularly. They should leave teh
space for someone who really has trouble walking into the store. When I
had that broken leg, I couldn't believe the things I needed that I couldn't
get because someone who could walk perfectly easily had already taken it.
"I have a handicapped whatever". Well, woopy pickle do.
You had a valid reason to be in that spot, but I've flown off the handle
with less of all the information. If that happened to me, I'd write it
off to life, just like I do when people have trouble with my on again off
again hearing impediment. It isn't like I don't also have trouble
remembering who can't hear.
I have more trouble with why someone would care who's qualified to have a
seeing eye dog at the opera.
Yours,
Dora Smith
Austin, TX
tiggernut24@...

Geez, you'd think you'd have been in the interesection begging, and got
caught getting up and pushing your wheelchair!
What'd he think, you got away with Grand Having a Dog at the Opera, and his
was excluded?
Unbelievable! Like it was his business!
Maybe he saw someone not handicapped take the handicapped space in the
supermarket, and he was armed for bear before he ever ran into you; that's
the only thing that makes any sense. Or maybe his candidate lost your
state's Republican primary, so he was grouchier than usual.
I've been known to say something when it was the public business, especially
if I were provoked. A few days ago I was passing through an intersection
on my bike and a beggar decided it was time to go home, so he stood up,
began pushing his wheelchair, and then said hi to me, like in, Hey, you, I'm
in your face, give me some money. I said, "It's a miracle! You can
walk!" He abruptly remembered to look dejected and limp. I was so
impressed. Even if I'd bought it, last time I had a broken leg, I limped
right off to work!
But why anyone would care if you're qualified for a seeing eye dog at the
opera is beyond me.
I imagine that at times your failure to appear to be blind causes more
substantial problems than this one. However, this one takes the cake!
I like the way he shut up when reinforcement arrived with a bowl of water.
If it was an opera house employee, why didn't he complain, if he thought you
weren't qualified to have the dog there?
I would have thought that having a seeing eye dog would quash all but the
politest questions from the genuinely ignorant. Everyone knows you have to
go through a long process of qualifying for one of them! If you don't
have a significant sight impairment, you couldn't possibly have a guide dog.
The presence of a guide dog means more than a doctor's certification.
This is probably a stupid question, but the level of apparent idiocy makes
me have to check. You had your guide dog in standard guide dog gear, and
not on a regular leash, right?
Yours,
Dora Smith
Austin, TX
tiggernut24@...

I have been asking my Cardiologist and my optometrist and my

regular Ophthalmologist was my hypertension causing or related

some how to my IOP being high. They all say not. But I feel

sure it is related. Thanks for your comments, makes good

sense to me. emc

Two comments re Patricia's post:
Yes, I did enjoy the performance. I thought the guy was obnoxious but I wasn't bothered. More amused than anything else.
Second: People frequently ask me for directions around here. It seems odd that someone would ask a person who obviously has a guide dog. I guess they figure I must know the area well.
It's great when people have experiences like the one you had: Of course the woman with the white cane could give directions. That is: Maybe some people with canes or dogs could and doubtless some others couldn't. Same as people with 20/20 vision.
David and Xia
**************
The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. Go to AOL Music.
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Before I had posted about asking my cardiologist to turn up my pacemaker to get
more blood to my brain. My blood pressure is low normal range. The issue with my
optic nerve is way inside the brain where an Ischemic even caused damage. Thjis
resulted in some smlaaer vessels no longer carrying blood. Sometimes other blood
vessels will take over some of it. The optic nerves merge in the brain. It
depends on where the blood flow is interrupted as to whether both eyes will lose
vision from this. The Glaucoma is effecting the optic nerves in each eye at the
outer areas. I dont know how far back into the brain the optic fluid goes but I
dont think it is far. The nerves merge at a point further back.Exercise would
not help unless blood vessels have taken over some of the work. Due to the
implanted device, cant have MRI which would tell this.Sincerely, Andrea
Andrea Schaerf, M.Ed.
Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant

No, that is not exactly correct. Low blood pressure, especially at
night, can be a risk factor for progression of glaucoma, particularly
normal tension glaucoma. If the blood pressure is too low the optic
nerve may not receive enough blood and damage occurs.
On the other hand, some studies have shown an association between high
blood pressure and high tension glaucoma (and other studies have not).
Keeping blood pressure in the normal range, neither high nor low, is
probably best for glaucoma patients. Getting fit, of course, is no
doubt beneficial for just about everyone--although one caution would
be for those with pigmentary glaucoma, because vigorous exercise may
result in more pigment dispersion. Those patients would need to
discuss their exercise regimen with their glaucoma doctors.
-Deah

I agree with Matthew completely.
I enjoy explaining vision impairment and guide dogs to people who are genuinely interested. I do that formally, in presentations, and sometimes volunteer the information or am asked for it in the course of daily life.
The story of the man in the parking lot is great. Matthew, sorry you had a life-challenging illness or injury!
I still think the question of which eye to look into, when quoted out of context, sounds rude. As to the man at the opera, he was challenging me. He was not asking for information. He was about ten feet from me and showed no actual interest in learning. He was being a wiseguy.
Regards,
David and Xia
**************
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Hi everyone -
Your stories are incredible -- David, I hope that you were able to enjoy the
performance in
spite of this man's rude questioning! Matthew, I could relate to your story of
speaking
with an inspiring disabled man. When I lived in Berkeley, CA, I gained valuable
insights
about what is and is not a 'disability.' I lived near the Center for
Independent Living, which
provides training and help for people with different physical conditions. So
for the first
time in my life I was living in a neighborhood with quite a few people who had a
variety of
disabilities. One day I was looking for a store and asked a lady standing next
to me at the
red light for directions. I really didn't look closely at her, I just started
talking. We were
both wearing sunglasses. She answered confidently and gave me detailed
directions.
What struck me as odd is that her directions were in terms of distances, rather
than
landmarks. 'Walk for about a minute and then turn right,' instead of turn right
at the
drugstore. As I thanked her and we stepped off the curb to cross I was
stupified to see
that this lady was walking with a white cane! Her directions were right-on
accurate. I bet
she felt great that I trusted her ability to be a good guide. And I still smile
to think that I
learned how to 'see' from a person with visual challenges!
Patricia

Dr. Ritch I believe has said on this message board that low blood pressure is
good for glaucoma management. There could be a relationship between the level of
blood pressure and the level of intra ocular pressure. Thant makes a lot of
sense. Exercise is one way to lower blood pressure. That means it could help
lower IOP. If blood pressure is raised by exercise, then maybe other things need
to happen first. Diet, meds and food choices can help lower blood pressure. This
may help lower IOP pressure. So to say exercise lowers iop would be faulty logic
because of individual differences. A raised pillow can help the eye pressure,
probably due to gravity helping wuth fluid drainage from the eye. Getting fit
can lower blood pressure and maybe IOP, if that is where an individual is at in
their recovery from glaucoma and/or high blood pressure.Sincerely, AndreaAndrea
Schaerf, M.Ed.Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant

Sometimes people just make unwarranted assumptions about people's
disabilities. My mother has a handicapped hang tag because she needs a
walker and even with that, can't walk very far. Once when we were
coming out of a restaurant, my husband went to get the car out of the
handicapped space and a woman had parked illegally right next to us,
so tight there was no way my mother could have gotten into the car.
But the woman didn't notice my mother, and got into an argument with
my husband when he asked her to move.
She looked him up and down and said "you don't look disabled, and
besides, there was no place else to park." My husband just pointed to
my mother, who was standing at the curb with her walker. The point is
that not only is the fact that there was no where else to park not a
good excuse, but no one should make assumptions about who has a
disability and to what degree.
-Deah

Of course I understand what you're saying, but I think there are exceptions.
Children, for example, will come right out and ask what¹s on their mind.
And the other day, I came right out and asked. And I'm glad I did. I was in
the parking lot of a big box store on an icy morning. A guy in a wheelchair
asked if I would help him get into the driver¹s seat of his van jut wanted
me to steady the chair... After that he handled (literally) everything. He
was in great, great spirits. Very upbeat. As I walked away I decided I had
to talk to him. I went back and asked if he minded if I asked a personal
question. He said sure. I told him I had almost died 4 months ago, and while
my physical recovery is going well, my psychological recovery is rocky at
times. I wanted to know about his attitude, not his physical condition. He
opened up immediately and it wasn¹t all sunny, by any means. But he helped
me a great deal, and I told him so.

I had the same red eye problems with Lumigan and Xalatan. Doc
switched me to Travatan Z and it is much better. Still a little
redness, but not too bad. My eyes feel better also. Travatan Z has a
very gentle preservative. The others use Benzachlonium Chloride
(sp?), and that always caused problems for me when I wore contact
lenses. So, I think it's worth a try. Worked for me.

People say very odd things to people regarding their eyes and/or eyesight. I have a large (mental) file of them but one that occurred a few months ago came to mind when I read this post.
I hope I haven't already posted it. If so, just delete. It's kind of funny anyway:
A friend gave me an inexpensive seat to the Metropolitan Opera and the house manager moved me to a far better one, so my guide dog would be more comfortable.
During intermission, a man I don't know said, *Is that your dog?*
I felt like saying that no, I had just found her wandering around the dress circle. However, I said yes.
*You aren't blind,* he informed me.
I said that I am and repeated that she is my dog.
*You're focusing your eyes on me,* he continued, and not in a friendly sounding way.
At this point, someone came with Xia's folding bowl filled with water; so I turned away from him and gave her water.
But what nerve this guy had! The fact is, I actually can see a bit out of one eye but what business of his was that? (One does not have to be totally blind to get a guide dog and even if one did, A. there is no national group that enforces this and B. this was hardly the time or place.)
Personally, I think asking someone which eye to look into is similarly presumptuous and crass. Unless it is a close friend who honestly wants to know about the person's comfort, it seems like a snide remark. Someone can just look in the general direction and deal with another person's red eye or whatever makes on different from another.
David and Xia

As far as comments, I often have people ask me which eye they should look at when talking to me??
**************
The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. Go to AOL Music.
(http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)

Is anybody using Ganfort - a Lumigan and Timolol mix. Any
feedback/opinions would be welcome. Thanks.

It's hard to know at this point which is best. I don't know anything about absorption. Perhaps you have a reference.
R
On 2/13/08 12:31 PM, "gracepapp" <gracepapp@...

This message is for Dr. Ritch. It is suggested that a curcumin
supplement would help glaucoma. I read it is difficult to absorb.
What type of curcumin do you suggest?
Thank you

Robert Ritch, MD
Shelley and Steven Einhorn Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Chief, Glaucoma Service
Surgeon Director
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
310 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
Medical Director and
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board
The Glaucoma Foundation
Director of Intelligence: Karen Cheifetz
Direct Tel: 212-673-5140
kcheifetz@...
Patient Appointments - Tel: 212-477-7540
Fax: 212-420-8743
e-mail: ritchmd@...
http://www.glaucoma.net
http://www.nyee.edu

Some glaucoma specialists recommend this. Some don't because it does raise
your IOP while you're doing the massage.
It should *never* be done without a glaucoma specialist's recommendation and
instructions.
It could be he was just trying to keep the bleb open.
Sherry
-----Original message-----

This message is for Dr. Ritch. It is suggested that a curcumin
supplement would help glaucoma. I read it is difficult to absorb.
What type of curcumin do you suggest?
Thank you

I have just had trab surgery and my doc told me to gently massage my lower eye lid (not to touch eye itself) using index finger and large finger. The day after trab surgery my IOP went from 38 to 28 following a two minute massage. 4 days later it was 17.

Anybody else know of this technique, he was a ather junior doc and not a glaucoma specialist but his theory put into practice worked.

Grace, you mentioned that people often question you about your red eyes. Don't
feel
guilty about positive "vanity" -- I think it's healthy to respect ourselves and
it's possible to
help our eyes and still feel appealing as a woman (or man). I've experienced
these
comments myself and these two coping strategies. First, I recently got new
glasses and
added a very slight tint. This adds a little extra protection and comfort for
me if I'm in a
brightly lite room and it detracts from the redness. I have a very contemporary
style of
glasses and I've been told that I look "hip" -- a compliment for a 50 year old!
; )
Secondly, I explained to one questioner that it was due to medication I take. I
don't mind
answering sincere questions. But one woman went on and on about what a shame it
was,
as if this minor problem completely ruined my appearance. I said "well, we all
have our
little defects, don't we??" and I let my eyes travel in an obvious way down her
body,
pausing on her generous-sized figure. This has permanently stopped any pitying
and
patronizing remarks from this person. I never used to play dirty like this when
I lived in
the US, but since I've moved to France I don't tolerate the digs or insensitive
remarks that I
used to. A Latin culture has taught me the value of dignity and self-respect,
for others as
well as for myself. I don't look for a fight, but I ask for -- and typically
receive -- the
respect that I deserve. This could be another topic -- how our vision
challenges impact
self-esteem. Anyway, what makes us truly beautiful is what's inside!
thoughtfully,
Patricia P
I am signing this Patricia P because there is another Patricia in the group, and
I want to
avoid any confusion.

My local chain eyeglass store (lenscrafters) in New Hampshire will redo your lens for free if the doctor changes your RX in the first 12 months. Nice if your eyes are changing due to surgery, or any other reason. Worth asking any eyeglass store if they'll do the same.
Jargon

Want to know what other patients think of your GP, your ophthalmologist and
any other specialist you may be seeing?
This is a fascinating -- and revealing -- site:
http://www.ratemds.com/social/

Dr. Steven V. L. Brown. He has an office at Rush in Chicago. He's there on Thursdays, otherwise he has an office in Evanston and another in Glenview. He is at each office on different days. They are all pretty near to each other. I live two hours away from the furthest office and make the trip because I trust him so much. Excellent surgeon and good disposition. Check him out on www.chicagoglaucomaconsultants.com

hope this helps

MaryKay

(Resending, to correct a spelling error.)
Once again, we see mis-information communicated about glaucoma. I refer to this
statement, below:
"If left undetected and untreated, glaucoma will gradually claim all peripheral
vision and move on to cause total blindness."
Glaucoma does NOT always start by damaging peripheral vision. Yet this
mis-information continues to be the most-often used description of glaucoma,
misleading many people. The fact is that glaucoma often damages the more
central part of a person's vision first. In my wife's case, she has lost nearly
all vision in the center of her right eye while retaining peripheral vision.
When will people stop passing on this false information? Let's at least get the
description of glaucoma and its effects right on this message board.
Dwight

I was just wondering if anyone else thinks that stress affects the IOP's. I have been told several times that it does not but I truly believe it does. I get really nervous before the IOP readings as well as my exam and cannot seem to find a way around this. I sometimes listen to music or read before the exam but am still very nervous when test is being done. Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone!

Stress definitely puts up my IOP.
Try picturing an image that relaxes you.
Mine is visualising my DIL cuddling her new baby - or a Madonna and
child painting.
Joyce

That's what I figured

Dr. Theodore Krupin, one of the leading glaucoma specialists in the
world, heads up University Eye Specialists in downtown Chicago. His
colleagues there are also well regarded.
Dr. Stephen Brown at Rush University has been recommended by a number
of glaucoma patients, as well as Dr. Jacob Wilensky at University of
Illinois at Chicago.
-Deah

Dr. Ritch,
What's the best way that we, as patients, can ensure that this gets out to
our local newspapers? Would we contact Brian with contact info for our
newspapers or would we be able to send the press release to the papers
ourselves?
All the newsletters listed look like they're aimed at the professionals and
are not something that the average person would see - this certainly needs
to be directed to the "man on the street" (or woman, as the case may be)
Someone called me one day doing a survey and asked if I had any of the
health issues on her list. One of them was eye problems and I said yes.
They called back later for a more detailed set of questions and I told the
surveyor about my glaucoma. At the end of the questions, I asked "you sound
African-American, are you?" and she said "yes". So I asked if she gets
regular eye exams and gets checked for glaucoma. She said no! I strongly
encouraged her to get to an ophthalmologist for an eye check because it
could mean the difference between seeing her grandkids or not! Hope she did
get in!
Sherry

Is there a good glaucoma specialist in Chicago or nearby?
Thanks!
Bob

Dr. Ritch,
We have been able to confirm that the following weekly newsletters have
and will be running a large portion of our World Glaucoma Day press
release:
-Pharma Investments, Ventures & Law Weekly (Feb. 17th edition)
-Lab Business Week (Feb. 17th edition)
-Healthcare Mergers, Acquisitions & Ventures Week (Feb. 16th edition)
-Law & Health Weekly (Feb. 16th edition)
-Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week (Feb. 16th edition)
-Biotech Law Weekly (Feb. 15th edition)
-Health Business Week (Feb. 15th edition)
-Lab Law Weekly (Feb. 15th edition)
-Surgery Litigation & Law Weekly (Feb. 15th edition)
-Biotech Week (Feb. 13th edition)
-Healthcare Finance, Tax & Law Weekly (Feb 13th edition)
-Life Science Weekly (Feb. 12th edition)
-Pharma Law Weekly (Feb. 12th edition)
-Science Letter (Feb. 12th edition)
-Health & Medicine Week (Feb. 11th edition)
-Pharma Business Week (Feb. 11th edition)
-Biotech Business Week (Feb. 11th edition)
Here is the portion that has been appearing in the newsletters already
released:
GLAUCOMA; World Glaucoma Day Set for March 6th
In an effort to combat one of the main causes of blindness around the
globe, the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient
Organization have announced the first annual World Glaucoma Day, to be
observed on March 6, 2008. The day will be marked by awareness and
educational events organized by glaucoma institutions and local patient
support groups worldwide, as listed on www.wgday.net. As well as
striking the residents of developing countries at alarming rates,
glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States
and the leading cause for African-Americans (see also Glaucoma).
Known as "the sneak thief of sight," glaucoma is a disease
characterized by gradual loss of vision resulting from death of the
cells in the eye which transmits visual images through the optic nerve
to the brain. As the optic nerve becomes increasingly damaged, permanent
vision loss and blindness can occur. Early detection is the key to
treating and halting the effects of glaucoma, but current worldwide
estimates reveal that more than half of glaucoma sufferers do not even
realize they have the disease.
"Because glaucoma strikes so silently and gradually, it is absolutely
crucial to educate people about the value of early detection," said
Robert Ritch, MD, professor and chief of glaucoma services at The New
York Eye and Ear Infirmary, co-founder of the World Glaucoma Patient
Association, and member of the World Glaucoma Day committee for the
World Glaucoma Association. "For a disease that causes permanent
blindness, it is truly unacceptable that so many people remain unaware
of its impact and consequences. Individuals in our country need to be
much more vigilant about glaucoma, especially if they fall into one of
the higher risk groups."
Persons at high risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined for
the disease at least every two years by an eye care professional. In the
United States, at risk groups include: people with a family history of
glaucoma, African-Americans over the age of 40, people who are very
nearsighted or farsighted, and all persons over the age of 60.
In the early stages of glaucoma, there may be no symptoms and vision
can appear to be normal until a large amount has been lost. If
undetected and untreated, glaucoma will gradually claim all peripheral
vision and move on to cause total blindness. With early detection,
glaucoma can be treated with eye drops to lower intraocular pressure.
Other standard methods of treatment include laser and operative surgery.
Treatment can usually halt the disease, but it cannot reverse the damage
that has been done. Glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes.
===================================================
Best regards,
Brian
Brian Downey
Vice President
R.C. Auletta and Company
59 East 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 355-0400
Fax: (212) 355-0835
Email: bdowney@...
------ End of Forwarded Message

The AGS website at http://ags.affiniscape.com/associations/5224/ags_map.cfm
shows three
BROWN, J David
420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 493
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612)626-5010
SAMUELSON, Thomas Ste 106
710 E 24th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404-3810
(612)813-3628
WRIGHT, Martha Dept of Ophthal/MMC 493
420 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612)625-6469
Sherry
-----original message-----

It's going to take a long time for your eye to heal. Hubby joked about
looking like I had been in a boxing match with Mike Tyson!
My doc's office kept saying "be patient". I didn't realize how much
patience I had to have! I hate being "down" and the length of time it took
for me to regain my vision in that eye was driving me crazy!
I was back to work about a week after surgery but could work for only a
couple of hours a day. I worked in medical records and had a lot of computer
work and paper work to deal with. My eyes tried out very quickly. I had a
good magnifying glass so I could read. It was probably a month or so before
I was able to work my full shift (which was only 4-5 hours to begin with!)
You cannot exercise at this time other than very light exercise - you risk
raising the IOP and/or popping the stitches. You're probably on bending and
lifting restrictions for at least two weeks. When I had the minor bleb
leak, the restrictions were even longer. It's not worth risking your eyes.
Listen to your doc - he has a lot more experience with this than you do!
<rbg
Have you heard of "eat less and eat smarter" when you can't be active? You
should cut back on what you're eating and don't eat any junk food. Have
light soups, salads, low-fat meats, green veggies.....
Healing from the trab procedure is grueling!
Sherry

I looked in my provider directory and could not find a glaucoma specialist, does anyone know any in Minneapolis
Sincerely,

Andrea
Andrea Schaerf, M.Ed.
Artist, Author & Mental Health Consultant
artability.biz

Had a Trab on Thurs (Feb 7) left eye. My pressures were read yesterday
at 17(L) 16 (R) which is good, but my sight out of left eye is still
blurred and distorted and VERY red although starting to go a bit pink
today.
Anybody who has had a trab please tell me how long your recovery was
and what the coming months did for your eye? How long were you off
work for? I do intensive VDU work and just got signed off for 2wks.
When can I go back to the gym?? I'm starting to put on weight,
because I am not exerting myself (docs orders)

Hi Marjorie,
My specialist is in the bay area in the city of San Ramon.On the
lighter side, his dad was one of the first specialists who treated me
almost 34 years ago. I have been using Diamox since then and
unfortunately, it isn't benefiting me much; I even take them TID.
My iop has been around 55 for quite awhile now. I can feel my spikes
(several each day) either by pain, or the hardness of the cornea.
back in early 06; I still feel he is very competent and sincere.
Unfortunately, the lazer/cryo, was unsucessful. He now states he has a
newer, more accurate and superior lazer at the hospital that's adjacent
to his clinic. I, personally, have just had it with all my various
surgeries (13 eye)and doctors visits for herniated disc, arthitis,
sciatica,bursitis, etc. It's too draining. Speaking of draining, I wish
my aqueous was draining better too.
I could give you his name, though it would be a pretty good distance
for you. When he schedules his patients, they are usually seen within
a reasonable time frame (20-30 minutes), but, of course there are
always exceptions.
His name is: Dr. Todd Severin, located at 5401 Norris Canyon Rd. in San
Ramon. The clinic name is East Bay Eye Center.
Hope things will go well for you ...
Regards,
Opomistic08

David,

You did fine! It's good to quote some of the previous message so people reading will know what you're talking about - it's also important to delete as much of the other stuff that's not pertinent to your reply!

Sherry