Doppler to examine blood flow to Optic Nerve

[patsy3]

My Optic nerves are small and come in at a slant.  When I saw Dr. Anderson at Bascom Palmer
he was not certain that at that time I had Glaucoma.  I went to see him because the Glaucoma Specialist  that I was seeing at home wanted to do surgery.  I wanted a second opinion since I had only been his patient one month.  That doctor diagnosed me with Normal Tension Glaucoma wanting my IOP to be in the single digets.  Dr. Anderson after a full day of testing and examination told me he didn't know if I had Glaucoma or not.  He also told me that the photos of my eyes that my doctor had sent with me were not photos of my eyes and wondered why he sent them with me.  HIs final recommendation was a referral to a New Glaucoma Specialist in my area.  I followed his advice.  I have a new doctor who I insist on seeing every 3 months because I want to keep close watch on the situation.   I've had all the tests yet he is still uncertain that I have Glaucoma but because of a family history I'm being treated for it in my left eye.  Azopt 3 X per day in my left eye only and one drop of Travatan at bedtime.  My visual fields go up and down better at times and a little worse at others.   Luckily no big changes.  

I have 3 questions:  1.  Does it do any eye damage to treat someone for Glaucoma if you cannot confirm it?
2.  The only test that I haven't had is a Doppler of the vessels of my eye.  How is that test done and should I ask for it to be done.   I recently read an article from Jules Stein advising this.   Would this test be available in my  a general Glaucoma Specialist Office or do I have to go to a University center to have it done?   3.  Jules Stein is doing some Glaucoma studies.  Is it advantageous as a patient to get into one of these studies?  
Thank you in advance for your response.

[patsy3]

Thank you for your response.  They are alway greatly appreciated.  
I'm on that road already.  So I'll just keep on the right track.

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

Only generalizations: don't smoke, keep your BP and cholesterol and weight under control,  eat a good diet, exercises,

JCH MD

[patsy3]

Thank you for your reply.  That's me ok I alway go for the "difficult" tasks.  Just lucky I guess.  

Do you have any suggestions for increasing blood supply to the Optic Nerve?  

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

First glaucoma is not one disease but a group of perhaps 10 or more types. Of these normal pressure glaucoma is the most difficult to diagnose and treat.

JC MD

[patsy3]

Thanks Dr. Hagan for your response.  I always thought Glaucoma was easy to diagnose and treat.  Boy was I wrong especially when the eye presures are within normal range.  I found out it takes time and patience and a doctor willing to follow you closely basing his opinion on several findings and not just one field test reading.
Had I followed the first doctors advice without getting a second opinion from Dr. Anderson I would have had an eye surgery by now.  Not laser an eye surgery.  
I later found out more about Dr. Anderson and I guess I couldn't have gotten a better second opinion.  God was with me.

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

Unless you have a side effect to the eye drops NO.

A doppler is not likely to be helpful.

No I would stay where you are. Diagnosing glaucoma as you have found out is often very very difficult and uncertain even among highly trained experts.

JCH MD