Margaret's Story

I was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2009 at the age of 69. I had noticed for about three years before this, that I had missing parts of vision in my right eye. 

If I looked at an object with my right eye only, objects to the left of that “disappeared”. During this time, I told two optometrists about this. One suggested I had cataracts but not bad enough to operate on.

My brother (my only sibling who is 18 months older than me) was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration about this time and suggested I have a check as it is an inherited tendency. I looked at the square grid and decided I didn’t have Macular Degeneration but decided to go to an optometrist anyway for a check.

She sent me to an eye specialist who diagnosed me with glaucoma. As my brother and I have no known relatives with either of these conditions we both went to recommended specialists to confirm our diagnosis. 

Now I have six monthly check ups and use eye drops each night. So far there has only been a slight deterioration, but I am not happy that I went undiagnosed for so long.

I knew nothing about glaucoma and still don’t have the normal triggers (except old age) so it’s a bit of a mystery. I hope optometrists are now more aware of this condition.