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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
diagnosing low tension glaucoma
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diagnosing low tension glaucoma
by Phillyfish, Jul 23, 2006 12:00AM
My Dr. has been watching me for glaucoma for at least the past year. He suspects low tension glaucoma. He says I have "cupping" of the optic nerve which is progressing. I don't know what my pressure is but he tells me it is "normal". After this last visit he had me take a field vision test (central 24-2 threshold test). The results were Left eye (MD -0.49dB, PSD 1.37 dB, GHT within normal limits) Right eye (MD-1.27dB, PSD 1.57dB, GHT within normal limits) My cornea thickness was 182 in one eye and 175 in the other. At my recent visit he said he wanted to see me in a year but after the vision field tests results came in (which they claim are normal) he now wants to see me in 6 months. I feel like he is waiting for me to loose vision before he will treat this. Do you feel low tension glaucoma has to have vision loss in order to be diagnosed and/or treated? Would a second opinion now be helpful in diagnosing glaucoma? I feel like he knows I have it but won't start treating me till I loose more vision. If I have glaucoma, I want to get treatment started before I have vision loss. Am I in a state of panic or will early diagnosis and treatment help save my vision?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Jul 23, 2006 12:00AM
your corneal thickness is not 182. cant be. thats PAPER thin. um, impossibly thin. more like 482. even if you had lasik it wouldnt be 182.
"low tension glaucoma" is IMO *the* most difficult thing to diagnose in all of eyecare. many, many variables and many, many differing opinions.
a second opinion is never a bad idea, but i doubt the other doc is going to start you on meds, either.
you're going to HAVE to lose vision before he even knows if its glaucoma or not. seriously. there is really no other way to tell.
i'd string you along, too. sorry. this is not easy. its very difficult. if you feel that strongly that you want to start treatment...tell him that. yes, earlier management is better.
"low tension glaucoma" is IMO *the* most difficult thing to diagnose in all of eyecare. many, many variables and many, many differing opinions.
a second opinion is never a bad idea, but i doubt the other doc is going to start you on meds, either.
you're going to HAVE to lose vision before he even knows if its glaucoma or not. seriously. there is really no other way to tell.
i'd string you along, too. sorry. this is not easy. its very difficult. if you feel that strongly that you want to start treatment...tell him that. yes, earlier management is better.
eyesight. here is a good place where you can get professional treatment and advice. go to this website and get in contact with them for more information without delay:
http://www.jdhealthcare.com/eyes.html#2