Exophthalmos, I have a question please

[Gio111ca]

Hi Andros,

Because my referred ophthalmologist is only available at the end of November, I took the liberty to go and see another one in the meantime.

Well, this one said the eye pressure in my left eye was to high (22), and that I probably have Glaucoma.

I am 41 and got my eye test last year before the eye prescription and pressure was fine, not too sure about this doc, he said I can go back next week and maybe it would be back to normal ,,,

Awaiting to see the suggested ophthalmologist at the end of November.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi Andros,

Because my referred ophthalmologist is only available at the end of November, I took the liberty to go and see another one in the meantime.

Well, this one said the eye pressure in my left eye was to high (22), and that I probably have Glaucoma.

I am 41 and got my eye test last year before the eye prescription and pressure was fine, not too sure about this doc, he said I can go back next week and maybe it would be back to normal ,,,

Awaiting to see the suggested ophthalmologist at the end of November.

Glaucoma is caused by interocular pressure. Sadly this one did not wish to address the cause. So.......................I sure hope the November guy/gal is a whole lot better than this one.

See if you can get on a cancellation list for the November one, why don't you?

How have you been feeling otherwise?

[Gio111ca]

Hi Andros,

Hope all is well. I have been feeling great.

I am already on a cancellation list for that November appointment, but the secretary told me he is in a seminar in the US ...

And you might know how hard it is to get an appointment here in Quebec (don't know where you are located).

I also have an Orbit tomo scheduled in 3 weeks.

This doctor told me today that nothing could be done with the bags under my eyes, unless I wanted surgery, so will see how it goes as I have noticed the bags diminishing.

I was thinking to myself, that if they took 9 months to grow (approximatelly), and I have been on Tapazole 3 weeks, I got to give my body a chance to recover.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi Andros,

Hope all is well. I have been feeling great.

I am already on a cancellation list for that November appointment, but the secretary told me he is in a seminar in the US ...

And you might know how hard it is to get an appointment here in Quebec (don't know where you are located).

I also have an Orbit tomo scheduled in 3 weeks.

This doctor told me today that nothing could be done with the bags under my eyes, unless I wanted surgery, so will see how it goes as I have noticed the bags diminishing.

I was thinking to myself, that if they took 9 months to grow (approximatelly), and I have been on Tapazole 3 weeks, I got to give my body a chance to recover.

I am doing well and thank you for asking. Yes and yes. My Ophthalmologist would not do surgery for 18 months after I had the radiation. He said healing should be as complete as it is going to get in that amount of time and then a better "assessment" of what had to be done was made. When it comes to surgery, you don't overkill because it is hard to correct that kind of mistake.

Glad you are getting the Tomography. Good deal on that.

Thanks for checking in.

[Gio111ca]

Hi Andros,

Sorry I haven't been around in a while, will update soon.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi Andros,

Sorry I haven't been around in a while, will update soon.

Glad you checked in. Will be looking forward to hear how you are faring.

[Gio111ca]

Hi again,

Hope all is well. My numbers have come down somewhat but are still over/under the normal range. I have noticed in December that I am seeing blurry from my left eye.

The ophthalmologist says my eye pressure is high and he detects a problem with my optic nerves and is sending me to see another specialist for that; depending on the feedback, he claims he is ready to operate ???

I did not get much info about that as he was in a rush and requires other docs advice. My advice is I will not get eye surgery at 41, unless it is a live/die situation. On the contrary, I have a feeling things are improving as the bags under my eyes seem to be going down and might be in the remission phase. This ophthalmologist was quite rapid to jump to a diagnostic in my opinion, as any operation is irreversible + I have been told a few years back by the optometrist he noticed a slight variation in my optic nerves, but not to worry if that never cause any problems. I was told my field vision test shows a deviance, not too sure what that means as this doc does not explain much.

So will see how things go.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

Hi again,

Hope all is well. My numbers have come down somewhat but are still over/under the normal range. I have noticed in December that I am seeing blurry from my left eye.

The ophthalmologist says my eye pressure is high and he detects a problem with my optic nerves and is sending me to see another specialist for that; depending on the feedback, he claims he is ready to operate ???

I did not get much info about that as he was in a rush and requires other docs advice. My advice is I will not get eye surgery at 41, unless it is a live/die situation. On the contrary, I have a feeling things are improving as the bags under my eyes seem to be going down and might be in the remission phase. This ophthalmologist was quite rapid to jump to a diagnostic in my opinion, as any operation is irreversible + I have been told a few years back by the optometrist he noticed a slight variation in my optic nerves, but not to worry if that never cause any problems. I was told my field vision test shows a deviance, not too sure what that means as this doc does not explain much.

So will see how things go.

While this is not "my" ophthalmologist, I cannot say I am pleased. It definitely sounds like TED/GED (Thyroid Eye Disease/Graves' Eye Disease.)

I would urge you to find another who has experience w/ the above.

[Gio111ca]

I was told this optha is actually very knowledgeable in Graves eye disease, but I know realize he's only in it for the money (why else would he have jumped the gun to the operation). It's actually kind of bad as I'm sure he's operating people who do not require surgery.

Will have to look for another one, thank you.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by Gio111ca

I was told this optha is actually very knowledgeable in Graves eye disease, but I know realize he's only in it for the money (why else would he have jumped the gun to the operation). It's actually kind of bad as I'm sure he's operating people who do not require surgery.

Will have to look for another one, thank you.

I am relieved. One would not want to have any eye surgery until the thyroid is completely and utterly under control. While the eyes have to be treated independently, as long as the antibodies and autoantibodies are running amok, the eyes will be attacked.

There are things to be done to stop this. Firstly and you may not want to hear this but getting rid of the thyroid is crucial. Secondly, you can have radiation to the eyes (I did; 2000 RADS for 6 weeks 3 times a week) with Prednisone concurrent.

THAT stopped the eye infiltration. I then had to wait 18 months to make sure of this and also for whatever swelling was going to go down did indeed do that so the surgeon could make a correct assessment of what needed to be done. I then had 8 hour orbital decompression to both eyes and about 6 months later had surgery to release the eyelid muscle that was so badly retracted from the exophthalmos.

I am very very pleased that I had the Ophthalmologist I had. You would never know unless I told you what all happened to my eyes. I am left w/ strabisimus which is corrected w/ prisms. We knew that would be the case going in. I had no surprises.............at all.

Today, there are "other" approaches but I am not so sure they work as well. Each person is different so what worked for me, may not for you.

Do your research; that is the best advice I can give at this point.