open angle glaucoma

[LoveMyHusband2010]

Dear doctor:

I just got back from my opthalmologist today to do my last test to detect for glaucoma.  Here are my results so far.

1)  visual field test =  normal
2)  Cornea thickness = good  -2 or 3 something like that
3)  Briefly looked at my optic nerve through dilation =  seems good

However, today, the doctor himself took a picture of my eyes, and he said that I might have open angle glaucoma.  He looked at the pictures and said "there is something there".   My diagnosis of glaucoma is in the "suspicious" stage.  That's how he put it.  He wants me back in a month to redo the eye pressure check.  

last few weeks, my eye pressure was 24,  going up from 22.

Questions:
1)  Can't the doctor tell if a patient has glaucoma or not???  
2)  How can I have glaucoma so quick,  since my eye pressure only started to elevate to over 20 three months ago.  Before they were in range
3)  Am I gonna go blind in a few years with open angle glaucoma?

Thank you so much doctor.

[LoveMyHusband2010]

Thank you so much Dr. Ray

I will follow your advice.  I'm only in my late 20s,  I'm so scared to go blind.  I hope the treatment will work and save me from blindness.

Thank you

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The OCT is the most sensitive test.  Glaucoma progresses very slowly.  Get the OCT rechecked in about 6 months if there is progression,  recheck the OCT in another month or so.  If there is definite progression get treatment with drops.

Dr. O.

[LoveMyHusband2010]

Thank you so much Dr. Ray for a quick response

yes Doctor Ray, the test he did was the OCT test.  He said there is something there suspicious but just told me to come back in a month to redo the eye pressure check.  He has not started me on eye drops yet.

Should I seek care from a glaucoma specialist from now?

Thank you doctor

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Glaucoma can occur at pressure below 20-call Low tension or normal tension glaucoma.  You can also have ocular hypertension-pressures higher than 21 and not have glaucoma.

What type of picture did he take?  Was this an OCT - a scan of the picture or a photograph.  The scan is the more sensitive test.

I doubt you will go blind.  Drops can be started if some changes occur on OCT.  Open Angle Glaucoma is very common and can be managed well.

Dr. O.