"Pinkeye" and Glaucoma

Question:

John <j…@nospam.net> wrote in news:et2n5ug2vc2g34hsomar5br04t9usrus9h@4ax.com: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Sat, 02 Feb 2002 04:04:05 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> > wrote: >>John <j…@nospam.net> wrote in >>news:tp0m5u08ocdthjvt54h81fke5rjbdfgmgp@4ax.com: >>> On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 03:51:47 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> >>> wrote: >>>> I was told after my >>>>trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY >>>>……. >>> Why do surgeons always leave discussion of some of these choice >>> little items until after surgery?  The ass hole who did one of my >>> lens implants commented (after surgery) that he had recently been >>> in a coma for a week as the result of a motorcycle accident AND he >>> was back at work earlier than his doctors recommended! >>> John >>In my case, the seriousness of an eye infection was emphasized prior >>to surgery…. >>Sherry > Make up your mind, "C’est Moi"/sherdh/Sherry. > John

My mind *is* made up!! They told me about the seriousness of infections prior to surgery.  That was the prime concern on the consent form and one thing that they emphasized.  After surgery, they gave me a letter to keep with me to give to ER personnell that re-iterated the fact that any infection is considered a medical emergency and an ophthalmologist is to be contacted at once.

Response:

In article <a3i4p5$ma…@iac5.navix.net>, "jeh" <j…@nospam.net> writes: >  What’s wrong with doctors these >days?  I tell you, if you don’t know a little something about yourself and >be aware, it seems like doctors will kill you.

Too much harrassment from insurance companies, coupled with reduced income=loss of spirit.  Knowing more than one’s physicians is a good idea for anyone with any medical condition.  Leigh

Response:

In article <ZnX78.18796$pb.5…@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>, "PRUFROK" <NOI-…@EXCITE.COM> writes: >When I insisted on "no surgery" of any kind, and a few meds were not >working (I have normal pressure glaucoma) they seemed to become uninterested >in further treatment, like trying other meds, modalities, etc.

     I also have NTG and am terrified of surgery as it reduces visual acuity and the high risk of infection, as well as having to take off work for at least a week…I’m interested in knowing what others are doing to treat NTG…my drops are working so-so and I’m developing allergies, which is frightening….Leigh

Response:

sahm2th…@aol.com (SAHM2Three) wrote in news:20020129005137.26658.00000651@mb-fu.aol.com: > In article <Xns91A3CAA1750C5TansyRagwortNetsc…@209.142.136.250>, > "C’est Moi" ><she…@excite.com> writes: >>I was told after my >>trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY > Oh sherry, > please tell me how is it considered an emergency?? Is it because of > the sinus ducts and such and that an infection can spread so > quickly?/ I’m quite interested in any info you have.. thanks > Lynn

Because of the thin tissue over the bleb, bacteria & viruses can easily pass through the tissue into the eye itself, causing an endophthalmitis which is very hard to treat.  The end result of such an infection can be the loss of an eye.  At least that’s how my glaucoma specialist explained it. http://www.wa-eyemd.org/w__eye_emergencies.htm.htm#endophthalmitis Sherry

Response:

In article <Xns91A3CAA1750C5TansyRagwortNetsc…@209.142.136.250>, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> writes: >I was told after my >trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY

Oh sherry, please tell me how is it considered an emergency?? Is it because of the sinus ducts and such and that an infection can spread so quickly?/ I’m quite interested in any info you have.. thanks Lynn

Response:

To lower the pressure even more.  Obviously if damage is progressing with normal pressures, then the pressures need to be even lower although there may be other factors causing damage but unless the pressures are lower you probably won’t know if it’s pressure induced or not.  That’s what makes NTG so hard to treat (as if glaucoma isn’t hard enough for the specialists).  Post trab, my pressures are about 8 in each eye.  I was developing damage with pressures at 17 on meds. If a doc suggests surgery and you’re not comfortable with that suggestion even though you’ve run through all the meds and damage is still progressing, by all means get a second opinion from another glaucoma specialist!! Sherry "jeh" <j…@nospam.net> wrote in news:a3rtdp$l5n$1@iac5.navix.net: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What’s the sense in surgery if the pressure is normal? > John > NE FL

Response:

joell…@aol.com (JoellynR) wrote in news:20020207111305.19942.00000507@mb-fv.aol.com: <snip> >      I also have NTG and am terrified of surgery as it reduces >      visual acuity > and the high risk of infection, as well as having to take off work > for at least a week…I’m interested in knowing what others are > doing to treat NTG…my drops are working so-so and I’m developing > allergies, which is frightening….Leigh

The visual acuity loss is about one or two lines.  I’m still functioning just fine with my vision and it actually isn’t much worse than before surgery, although I thought it would *never* get to that point! I wasn’t correctible to 20/20 before surgery anyway.  I do need a bit more power for reading. Look at it this way – if you DO progress with optic nerve damage, you’re going to lose a lot more from that than you will from the surgery, barring any serious complications.  Once the optic nerve damage has happened, it cannot be "repaired". I’ve never had an eye infection in my life and I asked the glauc doc about that before surgery.  Have the blebs don’t increase your chances of infection – it just makes an infection more dangerous if you get one. To operate or not to operate is a question that needs to be looked at closely and without fear.  Weigh the benefits and risks objectively and get a second opinion from a glaucoma specialist of you have any doubts (or even if you don’t!) Sherry

Response:

"David" <davidbenj*no*sp…@go.com> wrote in news:oJ258.5428$X64.2826822@news1.rdc2.pa.home.com: > I have congenital glaucoma and woke up this morning with my right eye > very hard to open.  I’m assuming it is conjuctivitis (pinkeye).  Can > this be serious?  I know it is highly contageous, I’ve been washing > my hands anytime I touch near my eyes. > Any imput would be very helpful.

Contact your ophthamologist immediately.  Any eye infection can be very serious if you have trabs, although you didn’t mention if you do or not they’re quite common with congenital glaucoma.  I was told after my trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY and if it was after hours, to go to the emergency room and show them the note from my glauc doc indicating this and that I needed an immediate consult with the on-call ophthamologist. Sherry

Response:

In article <Xns91A4ECC808581TansyRagwortNetsc…@209.142.136.250>, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> writes: >The end result of such an infection can be >the loss of an eye.  At least that’s how my glaucoma specialist explained >it.

OMG that is DEFINITELY NOT a good thing…. thanks for explaining it, and I’m sure going to be way more attentive to anything having to do with my eyes… Lynn

Response:

I have congenital glaucoma and woke up this morning with my right eye very hard to open.  I’m assuming it is conjuctivitis (pinkeye).  Can this be serious?  I know it is highly contageous, I’ve been washing my hands anytime I touch near my eyes. Any imput would be very helpful. David

Response:

It could be a reaction to eye drops if you’re using them, David wrote: > I have congenital glaucoma and woke up this morning with my right eye > very hard to open.  I’m assuming it is conjuctivitis (pinkeye).  Can this be > serious?  I know it is highly contageous, I’ve been washing my hands anytime > I touch near my eyes. > Any imput would be very helpful. > David

– A contented malcontent. http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

As far as knowing more than one’s physician is concerned, remember the old bromide, "A person who represents himself in court has a fool for a client."  Make too many of your own decisions in the medical/surgical realm, and you take your life in your hands. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -C’est Moi wrote: > joell…@aol.com (JoellynR) wrote in > news:20020204135623.04995.00000861@mb-mh.aol.com: > > In article <a3i4p5$ma…@iac5.navix.net>, "jeh" <j…@nospam.net> > > writes: > >>  What’s wrong with doctors these > >>days?  I tell you, if you don’t know a little something about > >>yourself and be aware, it seems like doctors will kill you. > > Too much harrassment from insurance companies, coupled with reduced > > income=loss of spirit.  Knowing more than one’s physicians is a good > > idea for anyone with any medical condition.  Leigh > There you go Leigh!  I just retired from working in medical records in a > nursing home (also a hospital and a clinic in the past) and couldn’t > believe all the BS from insurance companies.  One of the Medicare HMOs > hadn’t paid their docs in a year, therefore our "house doc" wouldn’t see > any patients who had that particular insurance!  Those darn companies > try to get away with paying anytime they can! > Sherry

Response:

To add another two cents, I too fault my first highly regarded glaucoma specialist for not telling me kidney stones was a potential side-effect of using Diamox.  I have since been treated by yet another highly regarded glaucoma specialist and it seems to me they (both) are intent on surgery (the first on a trabeculectomy, and the second willing to try lasers before the trab, even tho the first said lasers were not going to be helpful in my case).  When I insisted on "no surgery" of any kind, and a few meds were not working (I have normal pressure glaucoma) they seemed to become uninterested in further treatment, like trying other meds, modalities, etc.  My guess for the lukewarm response  is few if any patients go against these specialists’ recommendations for surgery. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"jeh" <j…@nospam.net> wrote in message news:a3i4p5$maj$1@iac5.navix.net… > Hi all, > Just lurking and reading about other’s experience’s with glaucoma, > especially the trabs.  I’ve had one in my right (good eye) for about 6 years > now, have had all sorts of problems with leaks, low pressures, some > infections–or infection symptoms–it seems pretty stable of late (knock on > wood).  I keep an anti-biotic on hand–or I think that I have 2 in my > collection now–Ciloxan and Gentomicin–just in case.   I have recently > developed high pressures in my left (not so good eye-20/200) and have > started a host of drops.  They seem to be doing the job.  I had to chuckle > at one of you calling your doctor a less than honorable name.  I’ve been > doing that lately with my own glaucoma specialist.  I told her that I had > been having high pressure symptoms in the ‘other’ eye (not the one with the > trab), at which she said that I couldn’t have been since it just checked out > "normal" for her.  She did say that I was to go directly to a retina > specialist after I left her office to have a suspected tear checked.  The > retina spec. said my pressure was 42 (45 minutes later, by the way) and > there was no tear in the retina.  He started me on drops, and I am to go > back to my regular doctor in 2 weeks for follow up.  I’ve been calling her > all sorts of names since then–3 days ago.  What’s wrong with doctors these > days?  I tell you, if you don’t know a little something about yourself and > be aware, it seems like doctors will kill you. > Just my 2 cents. > John > NE FL > "John" <j…@nospam.net> wrote in message > news:et2n5ug2vc2g34hsomar5br04t9usrus9h@4ax.com… > > On Sat, 02 Feb 2002 04:04:05 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> wrote: > > >John <j…@nospam.net> wrote in > > >news:tp0m5u08ocdthjvt54h81fke5rjbdfgmgp@4ax.com: > > >> On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 03:51:47 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> > > >> wrote: > > >>> I was told after my > > >>>trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY ……. > > >> Why do surgeons always leave discussion of some of these choice > > >> little items until after surgery?  The ass hole who did one of my > > >> lens implants commented (after surgery) that he had recently been in > > >> a coma for a week as the result of a motorcycle accident AND he was > > >> back at work earlier than his doctors recommended! > > >> John > > >In my case, the seriousness of an eye infection was emphasized prior to > > >surgery…. > > >Sherry > > Make up your mind, "C’est Moi"/sherdh/Sherry. > > John

Response:

As far as I have read, trab increases chances of eye infection by 1% each year. Looker – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> wrote in message <news:Xns91AE7E1B7876ETansyRagwortNetscape@209.142.136.250>… > joell…@aol.com (JoellynR) wrote in > news:20020207111305.19942.00000507@mb-fv.aol.com: —- > I’ve never had an eye infection in my life and I asked the glauc doc > about that before surgery.  Have the blebs don’t increase your chances > of infection – it just makes an infection more dangerous if you get one. —- > Sherry

Response:

Hi all, Just lurking and reading about other’s experience’s with glaucoma, especially the trabs.  I’ve had one in my right (good eye) for about 6 years now, have had all sorts of problems with leaks, low pressures, some infections–or infection symptoms–it seems pretty stable of late (knock on wood).  I keep an anti-biotic on hand–or I think that I have 2 in my collection now–Ciloxan and Gentomicin–just in case.   I have recently developed high pressures in my left (not so good eye-20/200) and have started a host of drops.  They seem to be doing the job.  I had to chuckle at one of you calling your doctor a less than honorable name.  I’ve been doing that lately with my own glaucoma specialist.  I told her that I had been having high pressure symptoms in the ‘other’ eye (not the one with the trab), at which she said that I couldn’t have been since it just checked out "normal" for her.  She did say that I was to go directly to a retina specialist after I left her office to have a suspected tear checked.  The retina spec. said my pressure was 42 (45 minutes later, by the way) and there was no tear in the retina.  He started me on drops, and I am to go back to my regular doctor in 2 weeks for follow up.  I’ve been calling her all sorts of names since then–3 days ago.  What’s wrong with doctors these days?  I tell you, if you don’t know a little something about yourself and be aware, it seems like doctors will kill you. Just my 2 cents. John NE FL "John" <j…@nospam.net> wrote in message

news:et2n5ug2vc2g34hsomar5br04t9usrus9h@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Sat, 02 Feb 2002 04:04:05 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> wrote: > >John <j…@nospam.net> wrote in > >news:tp0m5u08ocdthjvt54h81fke5rjbdfgmgp@4ax.com: > >> On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 03:51:47 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> > >> wrote: > >>> I was told after my > >>>trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY ……. > >> Why do surgeons always leave discussion of some of these choice > >> little items until after surgery?  The ass hole who did one of my > >> lens implants commented (after surgery) that he had recently been in > >> a coma for a week as the result of a motorcycle accident AND he was > >> back at work earlier than his doctors recommended! > >> John > >In my case, the seriousness of an eye infection was emphasized prior to > >surgery…. > >Sherry > Make up your mind, "C’est Moi"/sherdh/Sherry. > John

Response:

What’s the sense in surgery if the pressure is normal? John NE FL "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> wrote in message

news:Xns91AC8B842B8CFTansyRagwortNetscape@209.142.136.250… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "PRUFROK" <NOI-…@EXCITE.COM> wrote in > news:ZnX78.18796$pb.5927@nwrddc01.gnilink.net: > I have since been treated by yet > > another highly regarded glaucoma specialist and it seems to me they > > (both) are intent on surgery (the first on a trabeculectomy, and the > > second willing to try lasers before the trab, even tho the first > > said lasers were not going to be helpful in my case).  When I > > insisted on "no surgery" of any kind, and a few meds were not > > working (I have normal pressure glaucoma) they seemed to become > > uninterested in further treatment, like trying other meds, > > modalities, etc.  My guess for the lukewarm response  is few if any > > patients go against these specialists’ recommendations for surgery. > What do you expect?  If you’ve gone through all the meds and your > pressures still need lowered, then surgery is the next step! > Personally, if I had NTG, I’d be doing my damndest to get the pressure > down low enough to avoid any damage!  NTG is the most difficult to treat > and single digits is usually the goal. > Sherry

Response:

> Contact your ophthamologist immediately.  Any eye infection can be very > serious if you have trabs, although you didn’t mention if you do or not > they’re quite common with congenital glaucoma.  I was told after my > trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY and if it > was after hours, to go to the emergency room and show them the note > from my glauc doc indicating this and that I needed an immediate > consult with the on-call ophthamologist. > Sherry

Thanks for the info Sherry.  I had a trab done in 1980, and eight other operations between 1965-1966 starting when I was about six months old.  I just made an appt. to see my doc this afternoon. Thanks again! David

Response:

John <j…@nospam.net> wrote in news:tp0m5u08ocdthjvt54h81fke5rjbdfgmgp@4ax.com: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Mon, 28 Jan 2002 03:51:47 GMT, "C’est Moi" <she…@excite.com> > wrote: >> I was told after my >>trab that an eye infection is considered a medical EMERGENCY ……. > Why do surgeons always leave discussion of some of these choice > little items until after surgery?  The ass hole who did one of my > lens implants commented (after surgery) that he had recently been in > a coma for a week as the result of a motorcycle accident AND he was > back at work earlier than his doctors recommended! > John

In my case, the seriousness of an eye infection was emphasized prior to surgery…. Sherry

Response:

"PRUFROK" <NOI-…@EXCITE.COM> wrote in news:ZnX78.18796$pb.5927@nwrddc01.gnilink.net: > To add another two cents, I too fault my first highly regarded > glaucoma specialist for not telling me kidney stones was a potential > side-effect of using Diamox.

Usually the pharmacist is the one to warn you about potential side effects.  It’s *usually* on a handout they give you the first time you get a prescription filled. I have since been treated by yet > another highly regarded glaucoma specialist and it seems to me they > (both) are intent on surgery (the first on a trabeculectomy, and the > second willing to try lasers before the trab, even tho the first > said lasers were not going to be helpful in my case).  When I > insisted on "no surgery" of any kind, and a few meds were not > working (I have normal pressure glaucoma) they seemed to become > uninterested in further treatment, like trying other meds, > modalities, etc.  My guess for the lukewarm response  is few if any > patients go against these specialists’ recommendations for surgery.

What do you expect?  If you’ve gone through all the meds and your pressures still need lowered, then surgery is the next step!   Personally, if I had NTG, I’d be doing my damndest to get the pressure down low enough to avoid any damage!  NTG is the most difficult to treat and single digits is usually the goal. Sherry

Response:

Ok, you’ve cheered me up. I’ll stop venting. "John" <j…@nospam.net> wrote in message

news:mpop5u03o63lb7ef5b6qlf3li6bk3t74mg@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Sat, 2 Feb 2002 20:46:21 -0500, "jeh" <j…@nospam.net> wrote: > >Hi all, > >Just lurking and reading about other’s experience’s with glaucoma, > >especially the trabs.  I’ve had one in my right (good eye) for about 6 years > >now, have had all sorts of problems with leaks, low pressures, some > >infections–or infection symptoms–it seems pretty stable of late (knock on > >wood).  I keep an anti-biotic on hand–or I think that I have 2 in my > >collection now–Ciloxan and Gentomicin–just in case.   I have recently > >developed high pressures in my left (not so good eye-20/200) and have > >started a host of drops.  They seem to be doing the job.  I had to chuckle > >at one of you calling your doctor a less than honorable name.  I’ve been > >doing that lately with my own glaucoma specialist.  I told her that I had > >been having high pressure symptoms in the ‘other’ eye (not the one with the > >trab), at which she said that I couldn’t have been since it just checked out > >"normal" for her.  She did say that I was to go directly to a retina > >specialist after I left her office to have a suspected tear checked.  The > >retina spec. said my pressure was 42 (45 minutes later, by the way) and > >there was no tear in the retina.  He started me on drops, and I am to go > >back to my regular doctor in 2 weeks for follow up.  I’ve been calling her > >all sorts of names since then–3 days ago.  What’s wrong with doctors these > >days?  I tell you, if you don’t know a little something about yourself and > >be aware, it seems like doctors will kill you. > >Just my 2 cents. > >John > >NE FL > —————————————– > John, the tale of Greek and British medicine, below, might make you feel > better (Schadenfreude, you know). > John

http://www.spectator.co.uk/article.php3?table=old&section=current&iss… -02-02&id=1537 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Greek travesty > Go east, young man, says Colin R. Nicholl, but whatever you do, don’t get > involved in a car crash > ……………………………………………………………. >  ……………………………………………………….. > After a short drive, the ambulance came to a grinding halt. The back doors > were flung open and my wife was wheeled on to another ambulance as I looked > on helplessly. Greek bureaucracy, the staff explained to me, meant that one > hospital was on standby for head injuries and another – to which I was > taken – for broken limbs. > Flat on my back, with a fractured leg and ribs, I was eventually stowed > away in a urology ward. It was like a scene from a horror movie: the > emergency buttons did not work, cockroaches were climbing up the walls, > syringes and bloody swabs were strewn on the floor. A nurse strode in, > perversely eager to fit me with a catheter. I fought her off bravely, > somehow communicating to her that I would much prefer to urinate in a > bottle. She presented me with the most unintelligently designed urinal > imaginable, with a heart-shaped bottom. To confound my problem, she then > turned on the drip full-blast. I worked out soon enough why she had been so > keen on the catheter. I spent the whole night groaning and dozing in agony > – physical and mental – without a single doctor or nurse visiting me (in > spite of many requests for painkillers and endless promises) and without > any relief from my overflowing urinal. > But that is nothing compared with the psychological damage inflicted on me > by the toiletry nurse, whom I unaffectionately labelled ‘one-wipe Sally’. > It is no fun to lie stranded for 40 minutes atop a doggie bowl, waiting for > a nurse to remember you, only to have Sally wander back in and do her one > solitary thing. Enough said. > In spite of my repeated requests to the doctors and nurses for information > about my wife’s condition, I lay in anguish for 16 hours before my father > managed to get word to me that she was alive and still had all her mental > faculties. I broke down in gratitude. I could not understand why the nurses > on my ward had not seen fit to inform me of this, although they had known > since the night before. They simply sat in their television room, smoking > and blabbering on their mobiles. For three days I begged them to remove the > windshield shrapnel that was embedded in my scalp, hands and elbows. Yet > they would not do it, and rebuked me when I took it on myself to gouge the > glass out with my own fingers. > Twenty-four hours after the accident my wife came out of her coma and was > transported to the hospital where I was. But even though we were both bed- > bound, they elected to put her at the opposite end of the ward, wheeling > her down to me only when her distraught sobbing got on their nerves. After > three days of pleading, the senior nurse reluctantly consented to our being > put in the same room. > By the time we left that hellish hospital, bereft of dignity and X-rays, I > was suffering from acute trauma. Five days in Hellas had been enough to > teach me never to gripe about the NHS again. Well, almost. > I am not going to deny that when I got home the NHS, ignoring my pleas that > they re-examine my chest X- rays, ordered me to hoist myself up from the > floor on to a chair using only my arms and one unbroken leg, with nurses > taunting me on account of my ‘great acting’. I confess that it was only > when I admitted myself to A&E for further X-rays that they spotted that my > sternum was in fact broken and rushed me to the cardiac unit for tests, > warning me to remain horizontal. But everyone makes mistakes. Sure, they > over-X- rayed me and left me waiting for eight hours in A&E with an > excruciating middle-ear infection, but at least they gave me a cup of hot > chocolate. It is also true that half the blood-taking nurses missed my > veins, with ugly consequences. But they have to learn on somebody. > Perhaps the NHS did prematurely remove the external fixator holding my > tibia together, but only because they were worried that another hospital > might remove it and keep the

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