High Eye Pressure

Hi,

My question is in regards to High Eye Pressure. I'm a 31 year old male that in the past, at the age of 25, had high eye pressure (I wasn't diagnosed with Glaucoma).

As a result, I was prescribed Xalatan by an Opthamologist. I took the drops for about a year, I stopped taking them after I lost my health insurance, and couldn't afford the prescription.

It's now years later, I'm doing well, vision hasn't changed (in my opinion). I've scheduled an appointment with an Opthamologist for next week. I'm nervous, is there a high likeliness that damaged has occurred? In the past, despite numerous tests, I was never diagnosed with anything, also I was on the drops.

Any advice?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It is a possibility you may have lost optic nerve tissue and some vision. It could be the IOP was so high that treatment was started without glaucoma developing in that case you may be okay.

More advice: see an ophthalmologist yearly. Do not lose contact.

JCH MD

[Patrick2011]

Mr. Hagan,

Thanks for the advice. I'm extremely nervous, I hope that no damage has been caused.

My final question is, if you're able to answer, can a significant amount of damage be caused over 10 years?

I can assure you that I will NEVER lose contact with the Opthalmologist again, as I know this can be serious.

My vision hasn't changed, at times, it is slightly blurry. It has been that way since I can remember. I do know that at time I was diagnosed with high eye pressure that I used to get headaches, and my eyes would hurt. I don't experience that anymore.


Again, I appreciate your advice. Thank You!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Ten years is a long time. Going in your favor you are young and the optic nerve is much stronger than say in our 80's, you don't apparently have a strong family HX of glaucoma and many young people are resistent to IOPs that would damage a much older person.

JC HDMD