Eye Trouble
This post was not expected.
Some of you may be aware I was planning an extensive trip outside of the country following my ''retirement'' this July. You may also be aware I have been receiving treatment for Glaucoma for many years.
My left eye has responded to medication and the pressure is under control with no significant loss of vision.
My right eye is quite another story! Laser surgery twice, a Trab in 2005, needling in 2007 and 4 times since last October, change in medication, and a very concerned doctor. All to no avail. The pressure does not want to drop and stay in the teens.
Prior to May 26 my doctor had suggested further intervention if the recent changes in medication did not produce the desired result
Following my May 26 visit to my doctor, with the desired result not obtained, there was a referral to a specialist. On May 31 I visited the specialist and his opinion was a shunt would be beneficial in pressure reduction. I had previously discussed the pros and cons with my doctor and now had the same discussion with the specialist. the decision was made to undergo the procedure. The question was ''when''. I would have preferred November after my time traveling. His response was ''right now, forget the traveling''.
On June 10 I underwent surgery to have a shunt installed in my right eye. The pressure is down, I am currently on eye drops every 2 hours for another week and then a decision will be made as to future care/treatment.
For now, traveling out of the country for a prolonged period of time is out of the question. Just how long this moratorium will last, will depend on my eye pressure!
You can imagine my frustration on learning surgery was recommended sooner rather than later and that I would have to put the travel plans on hold. The up-side is that in just over 2 weeks with our Universal Health Care system I was able to go from my doctor to a specialist to the operating table. The compressed time period has helped me to realize just how serious the elevated eye pressure was.
My eye sight is more important than any travel plans. I would still like to travel Time and healing will tell.
Later.
Some of you may be aware I was planning an extensive trip outside of the country following my ''retirement'' this July. You may also be aware I have been receiving treatment for Glaucoma for many years.
My left eye has responded to medication and the pressure is under control with no significant loss of vision.
My right eye is quite another story! Laser surgery twice, a Trab in 2005, needling in 2007 and 4 times since last October, change in medication, and a very concerned doctor. All to no avail. The pressure does not want to drop and stay in the teens.
Prior to May 26 my doctor had suggested further intervention if the recent changes in medication did not produce the desired result
Following my May 26 visit to my doctor, with the desired result not obtained, there was a referral to a specialist. On May 31 I visited the specialist and his opinion was a shunt would be beneficial in pressure reduction. I had previously discussed the pros and cons with my doctor and now had the same discussion with the specialist. the decision was made to undergo the procedure. The question was ''when''. I would have preferred November after my time traveling. His response was ''right now, forget the traveling''.
On June 10 I underwent surgery to have a shunt installed in my right eye. The pressure is down, I am currently on eye drops every 2 hours for another week and then a decision will be made as to future care/treatment.
For now, traveling out of the country for a prolonged period of time is out of the question. Just how long this moratorium will last, will depend on my eye pressure!
You can imagine my frustration on learning surgery was recommended sooner rather than later and that I would have to put the travel plans on hold. The up-side is that in just over 2 weeks with our Universal Health Care system I was able to go from my doctor to a specialist to the operating table. The compressed time period has helped me to realize just how serious the elevated eye pressure was.
My eye sight is more important than any travel plans. I would still like to travel Time and healing will tell.
Later.