Elaine's Story

My glaucoma story is a good one, though I’m a bit vague about dates.

I’ve worn glasses for reading since I was ten (I’m short-sighted), so eye professionals have been part of my life for many years. I’m not sure why I was referred to an ophthalmologist when I was in my thirties, but pressure tests and field tests began then. 

My mother was diagnosed with glaucoma when she was about seventy, so I was closely monitored. When there were indicators that I could be following the same path, I was referred to a glaucoma specialist, Dr (later Prof) Ivan Goldberg. In my sixties I was found to have a slight loss of peripheral vision in one eye. 

When the time came to use drops to control my eye pressure, I quickly found that I needed to use preservative-free drops (which come in individual ampoules), but that created no difficulty. 

I am now in my early 80s, and using eye drops is as much a part of my daily routine as having breakfast and cleaning my teeth. I sit in a comfortable chair with my morning cuppa. When I put in the drops, I set my phone timer for two minutes while I press a tissue into the tear ducts in the inner corners of my eyes to stop the drops going in there.

The huge benefit of these habits is that I have not suffered further loss of vision, and my situation is so stable that I only need to be monitored twice a year. Meanwhile, my daughters are having their eyes monitored. I wish everyone knew about the importance of checking eye health, and the value of persisting with eye drops, even for those who don’t find it easy.