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In earlier years when my elder relatives (mother, uncles and aunties) had Glaucoma, it didn't ring a bell for me.
Later when I was diagnosed with it, it still didn't alarm enough, as I thought it was just an eye condition.
Now in hindsight it was a harrowing twenty plus years' journey, going through a few operations, numerous clinical treatments and continuous eye drops.
There had been some pain, discomfort, irritation, red eyes over that time. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Today it has stabilised and settled to a lower comfortable eye pressure.
Unfortunately, it has taken its toll. Due to the many years of treatment, an earlier injury and several operations, the eye had been badly traumatised and today vision is a blur due to a very rough cornea surface. My take on all this is to be thankful for today's medication, medical technology and services. The most important thing is to ensure that other members of the family have regular eye check-ups.
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In earlier years when my elder relatives (mother, uncles and aunties) had Glaucoma, it didn't ring a bell for me. Later when I was diagnosed with it, it still didn't alarm enough, as I thought it was just an eye condition...Li-Yen
Living in York Peninsula community two hour's drive from Adelaide and with no optometrist in her local community, Debra booked an appointment as soon as she could. That’s when she received her life changing diagnosis.
When Bette Smith’s cousin told her they had glaucoma in the family, she did what all Australians should be doing, she got her eyes checked.
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.