steoids

hi if someone is a very high sterouid responder and has an eye infrction or something which would usually be treated with streoid drops, how would you treat the eye problem?? thanks  

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

Most infections are NOT treated with steroids just antibiotic eye drops.

JCH MD

[sarah43]

hi optometrists fimnings puff test average pressure 22 and 24 average. disc cupping 0.5 in both. previously 2 years ago had an acute glaucoma atteck. not on any pressure lowering drops at moment did have an iridoplastty 2 yrs ago.
anyway question 0.5 cupping is that alot od damage???what does it mean . i am waiting to be seen by ophtholmologiust but could take months in uk/....

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

No way to tell of .5 cup represents damage or not. If you use to have a 0.0 or 0.1 cup and now its .5 then yes that is a lot of damage. However it could have been .5 all your life. Also .5 may be with a round very healthy looking rim or could be notched or vertically elongated.

JCH MD

[sarah43]

0.0 c/d befor this change and change within 6 months.if there is damage how would it effect vision-peripheral?? would visaul fields show this decrease?? referal letter sent told could be waiting up to 3 months to see consultant/speculist. i do have unopened xalatan drops should i use them in the meantime??

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

If you c/d was 0.0 and now its 0.5 yes that is a lot of damage and it should show up on a visual field test as loss of peripheral vision.

In this forum we cannot tell people to take prescription medications.

I would try to make the system work faster although most UK posters here tell us about unimaginable waits for tests and specialists. Beats me what the USA is considering a similar government run healthcare system.

Good luck
JCH MD

[sarah43]

thanks for ealier replies what is the highest c/d reading you can have??  

[sarah43]

if loss of peripheral visison is in both eyes would one legally be able to drive?? with 0.5 cupping

[ginmill01]

I am a steroid responder (I have had 2 corneal transplants).  Pred Forte, the steroid that my Surgeon used caused my eye pressure to go up to 34.  There are drops that my surgeon had me use, however, the most effective way to quickly reduce eye pressure is the medicine Diamox.  It is actually an altitude sickness medication, but has good success at reducing eye pressure.  If one uses this, it is vital your Dr monitors very closely.  There are also a number of fairly unpleasant side effects.