Kathrin's Story

I am only 23 years old, and I was diagnosed with open angle glaucoma two years ago. It is very scary. No one in my family has it and I don't have any risk factors, but I was still diagnosed. 
 

My optic nerves seem to have some damage already, and I am very worried about what the future brings for me.

I can't do everything I love anymore, like diving or lifting heavy weights. I also think many times before I decide something, like a new career path. 

I think about my glaucoma a lot. It makes me very anxious and mad too, that people think it’s only a disease for older people. I know many that are diagnosed early, it’s just not tested for enough in young people. 

I wish and pray that there will be more research, empathy, and progress in fighting this disease. I don’t even mean that we need a cure. But we need a way to preserve the vision that is there at the point of diagnosis.