Too fast Dr. Appt.-Glaucoma?

I saw an opthalmologist 6-mos. ago regarding a suspicious left eye, the cup looked thinner then the year before according to my optometrist. Well I came for another visit yesterday and it went super fast, he just ckd the pressure and said I would come back in another 6-mo. and then I'll do another photo of my eye, ect., well my optometrist emailed him a photo of my eye from 2004, I really thought he would look at it and give me the news if I had it or not, I had waited 6 long months to find out. I called my optometrist to update him and he mentioned that it sounded like he's only suspicious which means I'd be seen about every 6-mos with a full exam once a year, he also told me something shocking, that he'd been suspicious for years but only 6-mos. he had just told me. Am I missiong something here, shouldn't this doc had told me this when he became suspicious? Shouldn't the opthalmologist had looked at the photo and the appt. been longer then just cking the pressure, you can have normal pressure and still have glaucoma (Normal Tension Glaucoma) If they are suspicious shouldn't I be treated now so it doesn't get worse. What is the processes here, when should I find out for sure? I was told by my optometrist that it could take years to confirm, that just seems to long to wait to find out you'll be blind. Anyone go through this, anyone know that can help.

I understand your confusion and concern. "Glaucoma Suspect" is how a doctor classifies a patient who has some findings that may indicate glaucoma but the majority of other findings indicate otherwise. Sometimes glaucoma diagnosis is easy because all the signs line up and hit the doctor right between the eyes. But many times early stage glaucoma is a little bit more difficult to make a diagnosis.

I can't speak for your other doctors but if I think there is enough evidence to support the possibility of glaucoma I will discuss the issues completely with the patient and allow them to become involved in deciding whether or not to begin treatment. If you treat glaucoma that really isn't glaucoma, you aren't going to hurt anything other than your pocket book. Glaucoma meds many times are expensive. BUT, if you don't treat glaucoma that is glaucoma then as you said, it will progress.

So I believe in your situation you really need to sit down with your doctor and ask for a complete explanation of all the findings. If you continue to feel uncomfortable with the diagnosis or your communication with your doctors you should get a second opinion from another doctor.

Howdy,

I was born with glaucoma and am 25 now. THere is glaucoma and glaucoma suspect. The Ophthalmologist only checked your pressure because that is the biggest indicator of glaucoma. However, he should have at least looked at the photo, and checked how your nerve looked now.

There is such thing as Normal Tension Glaucoma where even low pressures are damaging your nerves. Not saying anything to scare you, only the truth. You should feel totally confident and comfortable with your doctor. So if you feel the need, get a second opinion from a different Ophthalmologist.

Hope this helped, take care and God Bless.