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In December 2005 I was diagnosed with a retinal tear and detachment in my right eye and was sent to Canberra from Cooma and onto Sydney Eye Hospital. I was operated on at midnight in the middle of the Cronulla Riots. I went home to Cooma - changing altitude slowly over 7 hours – with an orbital buckle and gas bubble.
A couple of years later I developed traumatic glaucoma as a direct result of the surgery, and have received various treatments since, taking care of both eyes as a precaution.
My ophthalmologist is in Canberra (1 ½ hours away) and as the conservative drops were not completely controlling the intra-ocular pressure or vision loss in my right eye, I was sent to Sydney for a deep sclerectomy, i.e. a flap for drainage, at a private hospital in a place called Chatswood. Two days later we returned to Comma (all very stressful and expensive and time consuming).
Since that amazing procedure I healed too well, and the flap created healed over. The Canberra ophthalmologist, under telephone instructions from Sydney, reopened the drainage channel using laser techniques – MAGIC!!
I’ve had low pressures since – left eye 11 and right eye 9! I am currently using drops twice a day with great effect. Six monthly check-ups in Canberra are mandatory and reassuring.
Robert discovered he has glaucoma by changing ophthalmologists. All his life he has been a financial advisor who relies heavily on his eyesight. He now encourages his children to get regular glaucoma checkups.
Basil was diagnosed with glaucoma over 20 years ago, faced worsening vision despite stable eye pressure and received two differing treatment plans. Seeking clarity, he turned to Val from Glaucoma Australia, whose guidance and support helped him confidently choose the step-by-step plan while feeling reassured throughout the process.
Abbie was diagnosed with glaucoma as a newborn and had surgeries to control her eye pressure. Despite being short-sighted with nystagmus, she lives independently and runs a dance company called Blindful.