Is This Glaucoma?

I'm diabetic and 28 years old.  I went out thursday the 23rd and the sun hit me square in both eyes but my left eye was the only one that got very blurry.  It gets sore at times; also I see little black lines when looking out and I have scattered blind spots when reading fine print or looking out at a distance.  If I use eye drops in both eyes, the left one always stings more.  Before my left eye got extremely blurry, the peripheral view was warped and it seemed like a lot of light was shining in it.  Thanks if advance for your answers.

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

You need to see an Eye MD tomorrow. Those are serious symptoms. Find one near you at www.aao.org or have your MD refer you. Act Monday AM

JCH MD

[cateyes99]

I did indeed see an eye doctor fast, Dr. Hagan!  In fact, I wen to the ER and after extensive examination, it was determined that I didn't have glaucoma.  What I have is Diabetic Retinapathy, which can lead to blindness just the same.  

I've had one laser session so far to stop the growth of further blood vessels (I believe that's what they said were growing there) and I'm scheduled for another on Monday.

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

This is a lesson to all diabetics. You should be under the care of an Eye MD ophthalmologist and you should see that ophthalmologist yearly. Do not wait like cateyes99 did till you have advanced proliferative retinopathy and an eye full of blood.

Diabetes is a serious disease that can and does blind, kill, cripple and disable people. Take it seriously. Keep your weight down, exercise, eat right. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. DO NOT SMOKE. Keep your hemoglobin A1c definetly under 7 and ideally under 6. See your MD physician regularly generally no less than once every six months, more often if things are not well controlled.

AND REPEAT ALL DIABETICS NEED TO BE  UNDER THE CARE OF AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST EYE MD. ALL MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERS EYE MD VISITS JUST LIKE YOUR REGULAR PHYSICIAN.

Good luck cateyes99.

JCH MD

[cateyes99]

Thanks Dr JCH.

This was indeed a very hard lesson I learnt.  What's upsetting is how nonchallant my first eye doctor was about the situation.  I saw him in 2006 and he was very casual.  He examined my eyes 3 times and on that third look he said he saw something like blood/blood vessels but I shouldn't worry because they were very tiny but when they get bigger, he'll just use a laser on them.  

I wasn't told at that time that what he saw growing could cause me my sight.  In fact, he didn't tell me the name of it.  He made it seem minute and unimportant.  My mistake, I guess, was not caring about the blood and blood vessels because he didn't draw attention to how serious it was and is.  I was under the impression that Glaucoma was the only cause of blindness in diabetics.  My medical doctor never once mentioned Diabetic Retinopathy to me either, it was always about protecting my kidneys and heart in the long run; maybe it's my age.  

Well, now I know and knowing is half the battle and may I say that since this happened to me at a relatively young age, I've allerted my diabetic relatives and friends to go get checked out immediately.

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

Diabetes is one of the leading causes worldwide of poor vision and blindness. All diabetics should be encouraged to go to "diabetic school" run by hospitals and the American Diabetic Association in which all aspects of this terrible disease are discussed as well as how to manage them.

JCH MD