History Case 1

  • born 1935, male, caucasian, myopic
  • 1983, no symptoms, optometrist suspected glaucoma and referred
    • pressure 22 (R) , 23 (L)
    • myopic discs 0.6 c/d (R) , 0.7 (L), virtually normal field both eyes
      (c/d= cup to disc ratio, explained in photos on this page, normal is 0.3)
    • open angle on gonioscopy
    • diagnosed as early chronic POAG (primary open angle glaucoma)
    • prescribed g Timolol 0.5% bd (R) & (L)
    • achieved pressure 16
  • 2002
    • by this time on near maximum topical therapy
    • g timolol 0.25% LA od, g xalatan nocte, g trusopt bd (R) & (L)
    • target pressure 12-14
    • fields and discs below (click photo for larger version to show your patient)
    • pressure 13 (R) , 14 (L)
    • glaucoma considered stable (fields are not changing)
    • healthy lifestyle and low blood pressure & diet includes
      • 5 portions of vegetables and fruit day
      • minimal animal fat, low in other fats
      • 60 minutes walking/gardening a day, not smoking
      • all these will have direct or indirect effects on the optice nerve, for instance exercise lowers eye pressure, smoking triples risk of retinal vein occlusion (estimate)
  • future: little change (at such low pressures within target range)