OPTIC NERVE

DEAR DOCTOR,
I had cataract surgery, then membrane peel and then vitroectomy both eyes,
recently had a retisert (steroid implant in both eyes) a side effect is pressure going up in the eyes
I recently wen to the doctor and my pressure in the left eye was 38 and the right eye was 21. I've been on pressure drops, however my vision has gotten a bit worse in BOTH eyes??? when my vision was getting better.  My question is with my pressure being 38 in the left eye could my optic nerve be damaged? Because the vision has gotten worse in both eyes.  Or could my vision be getting worse because the pressure is up? I have an appointment next week to get the optic nerve checked. Now, if there is damage to the optic nerve and I get good treatment and take my meds like I'm suppose to and keep all my doctors appointments and the pressure stays down, can this condition be treated for the rest of my life or will the optic nerve continue to get bad eventhough everything else is okay? including pressure in eyes? Guess the bottome line I'm trying to find out is eventhough its damage to the optic nerves, is it possible I can live the rest of my life seeing okay with proper treatment?  
Also, do you have 1 or 2 optic nerves? so if one goes bad can my other one (eye) be okay
Thanks Annie

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You have one optic nerve in each eye.  Elevated pressure in one eye will not affect the other eye.  Short term pressure of 38 will not cause permanent damage.  

The retisert is used to treat macular edema.  This can cause variability of vision and a complication of steroid is elevated eye pressure.

Dr. O.