I was in denial when I got my eyes checked and the pressure was high. I thought why me? because this is a condition that used to mainly affect older individuals. Now, I am taking my drops religiously. I only wish that I would have started sooner. Everyday, I am aware that I have an eye disease that wants to rob me of my vision, which sometimes makes me depressed and I then go into isolation. I just hope for the best and continue to do what I am suppose to in order to preserve the vision that I do have. Hopefully, before long we will be able to tackle this disease in another way. Thank you for sharing your story. You’re an inspiration and I wish you the best.
I feel your pain. Its less then 24 hours since I found out I have it and I locked myself in my room processing it. Like you, I feel very depressed. Fear of losing my sight sends me in depression overdrive. Hope you are healing well.
I have congenital glaucoma. So birth to now I’ve had glaucoma. I have the shunt surgery in both eyes now but, in the left eye (the worse case) has lasted me 16+ years. So I want to reassure you if done properly and monitored closely, the tube should last a very long time. Seeing your video helped me know I’m not the only young adult with glaucoma! So I really appreciate you posting this🥰
Thank you for sharing ur story, i currently have a high eye preassure rn at 29 and 28 and im taking preassure drops. I went to the doctor yesterday, now i have to take exams if i have glaucoma or what. But im just 17 and im so scared to go blind. (Because i have a tiny black spot in my left eye)I hope theres a place where we could find comfort in. An app where people like us could connect and calm ourselves to gether and share our experiences. I hope everyone here heals and i hope and pray that all of us will heal.
Hi CookieGirls. A Glaucoma patient here (Posner-Schlossman Syndrome). Looks like u caught it early, so don't panic. If the tests confirm it, my advises would be: 1. Read a lot. Like enough to become an expert (non-professionally of course) about Glaucoma and all it's types and subtypes, treatments, surgeries, .. etc. This learning will be ongoing, sadly. 2. Find an excellent specialist. Opthalmologists are highly specialized. So, your doctor needs to be specialized in glaucoma, not cataract or retina for instance. 3. The specialist will take you through a process: use eye drops first for some time (could be months), and if the eye pressure is fine and regular like clock-work then cool, u will just need to use them forever. Otherwise, a surgery is required. Types of surgeries vary according to the type of Glaucoma. I advise that u learn ab them from now. For instance, the tube that Caitlin got is the type used mostly when nothing else works. Good call from her doctor I think. 4. You need to be proactive. Understand the symptoms of high IOP so that u can react immediately. Talk to ur doctor and widen ur understanding through him (he/she needs to be the type who is ok to talk and explain things. You will suffer with a silent doctor). If you don't notice your symptoms and report them to ur doctor, this may affect their decisions for ur treatment. 5. Make it a habit to check ur eye pressure (IOP) in both eyes every week or two weeks max (find a place close to ur home). Document ur readings so that u can discuss it with ur doctor later. Remember, it's your eyes and u are the first person responsible for them. 6. Some types of Glaucoma have known reasons, others (like mine) don't. Problem is we humans don't know yet how to regenerate nerve cells. So, all these medications and surgeries are to stop further deterioration, not to regain any lost vision. I'm 44, and hopefully I will live to see us regenerate nerve cells. Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions.
I had the glaucoma shunt 4 months ago. I'm 32 years and was born with cataract in my left eye. I had the cataract removed when I was a couple weeks old and always been on pressure drops my entire life. I'm glad I came across your video. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only young person going through this. I pray for good treatment and healing for us all.
@@pamelabarrell3153You guys are more lucky then me a surgery is the reason my eye is lazy I have glaucoma and a old doctor did a old surgery on me which not only made me blind in my left eye but it is also lazy and messed up . What makes this even worse is that another doctor told me I should of never got the surgery and that the eye specialist who did it needs to retire . I was only 15 it ruined everything for me I just wish I could go back in time and never get that surgery I would still be able to see in my left eye I would have been normal . I had super high confidence before it and after I lost confidence. The best looking girl in school liked me the next year treated me like I didn't exist. I hope it's a way for me like y'all but more damage has been done to my eye . Idk if the actual eye ball is even the same size anymore or maybe it's just weaker . There's little to no information about people like me who wasn't born this way but created by glaucoma surgery (not laser one ) the one where you have a bleb. Do y'all think I can be fixed as well
No never get it it'll do exactly the opposite of what it's suppose to do it steals vision it's the dumbest surgery ever I got it when I was 15 in my left eye it made me go blind and ugly because it changed my appearance. I don't know why I can't find more information about people like me maybe because most people get laser nowadays . If a doctor ever tells you anything about a shunt surgery look at him crazy and he'll know that you know it's going to ruin your life they know it's probably gonna make you go blind like me but won't tell you that @@pamelabarrell3153
I know the struggle you're going through. I lost vision in my left eye about 2 years ago. About 7 or 8 years ago I had a cornea transplant and it worked really well until 2 years ago. A year ago I had a 2nd transplant but it failed and my restoring my vision may not possible but I am getting a second opinion from another doctor hopefully soon. Watching your video and hearing about how someone has gone through something very similar was comforting. So many of things you went through with your fluctuating eye pressure and constant use of drops was so very familiar to me. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I also worked in the tech field which is what brought me yo your channel. Unfortunately that had to end for me with my current situation as it is. Thanks for sharing what you've been through. Sometimes it can feel very lonely when no one I know has been through something like I am. Again thanks and please continue to make content I've been enjoying your channel a lot. Sorry for the long post
I too am having some of the simile issues I do work in the tech for you and I’m going through having a cannerac removed and I should put in on my one remaining right eye that works I’d appreciate hearing from you I have no problem talking somebody feels so much like home alone but having somebody to share information with is really helpful and I thank you for sharing your story come out for deer in from you.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I got LASIK 1 year ago, and my left eye regressed to 25/30 and I had to do a followup surgery. 2 weeks after the followup, my vision started going blurry, milky and started regressing. It turns out the the Corticosteroid Durezol eyedrops were causing my eye to increase pressure. I called like right away and tried to get into contact with my doctor, and she prescribed Tomolol Maleate, a drop used to reduce pressure. Within one hour my eyes were able to slightly adjust and focus on small details, and the next day it continued to improve. Be very careful with your eyes people, take care of it and make sure to get professional advice if anything peculiar happens or else you CAN go blind.
Sorry to hear you are going through all of this Caitlin. Feel better and take care of yourself. Thanks for keeping us in the loop on how you are doing.
Sad to hear about all the problems you have had Caitlin :(, but having said that it's great to see you back and being your "chirpy" self again, have missed watching your vids. Hope you fully heal soon and remember not to put so much pressure on yourself!
I was diagnosed with glaucoma at 25 and the thought of losing my vision has made me very depressed. I hate wearing contacts and my glasses are very thick so it has pretty much debilitated my self-esteem. I can't really say I remain hopeful. I remain indifferent, but I continue to take my eye drops and when I feel depressed, I let it run its course. No one understands this type of disappointment. I went to college for performing arts and had hopes of becoming a well known entertainer and I feel like God/life/universe/whoever has kinda taken that away from me because I struggle to find myself attractive when I look at myself. Anyway, all that to say, thank you for your video and from experience, I completely get where you're coming from. Much love!
@@aditi8987 thanks for asking! I actually moved to Japan and I wear daily contacts so that has improved my self-esteem. I go to a specialist doctor to treat my glaucoma so things are going pretty well. I just use my eye drops every day!
Im 37 and just got diagnosed today I’m so depressed about it. They said I need drops and then possibly surgery later on in life. It’s so depressing and I’m so scared. What drops have worked best for you?
Thank you for sharing your story, even though this happened to you a few years ago, I’m glad I found your story I’m going through all this now. Just had surgery 10/31 it’s all pretty scary. I’m going on 6 weeks and I feel like on and off I still have symptoms, I’m having headaches almost everyday. Everything you talked about I’ve been going through it’s crazy because a lot of times you do feel lonely and it’s scary. The Diamox is horrible I lost weight while on it because it made me so sick. I pray that one day there’s a cure for this very scary & sad disease that could rob us from seeing our loved ones. Again thank you so much for sharing your story.
Thanks so much for making this video. I had a trabeculectomy that stopped working recently and I might need a tube shunt surgery and your video made me a lot less scared about it. I really appreciate the time you put into making this.
Youre intrepid demeanor towards blindness amazes me. I have had high ocular pressure for a while and am taking drops nightly for it. I could never imagine loosing an eye let alone asking a doctor to take one out. Girl you are savage in the best possible way. Thanks for the share.
Wow!! i just came across your page. I can totally relate to just about everything you said. I have advanced glaucoma...4 years ago numbers were 49 and 39...very high. Just had my 4th eye surgery on the same right eye 1n 12 months because of complications. I now have 2 shunts in my right eye. I also said let’s just take the eyeball out but of course docs are going to fight for your vision...so we keep fighting, I am 5 days post-op and trying to heal. I wish you the best.
I'm 20, was going to have LASIK which was my dream since being 10. On the day I had a few tests done and instead of surgery, I was told I had glaucoma and couldn't have the laser. I'm devastated and so scared 😭😭 I'm -7.00 and I have astigmatism as well. Thank you for the video, so sorry you had to go through all of this, sending love and a lot of support. ❤️
Only recently found your channel, and I like your content. So, although this was six months ago from where I saw it, you've been through a lot. Anyone would lose motivation, and yet you're still here, and getting better. I love your candidness and strength, it's very inspiring and also humbling. Thank you for sharing this, and for being awesome! Look forward to more videos, and I hope your healing is going well :) Take care
I saw this video 24h before my operation. Its very useful. I have Glaucoma drainage implant and cataract removal at same time on one eye recently. Doctor put me on General anesthetic. Usual Cataract surgery- 20 min usual Glaucoma surgery- 25min My surgery duration - 1h wakeup: 3h after operation start. (Doctor wait 2h for my anesthetic to wear off after complete surgery.) Put in observation room for another 3h after wake up. My operation start at 230pm. I walk out of hospital at 830pm same day. Pain level- 0 mean no pain, 10 extreme pain ( i am someone who cannot take pain) During surgery - NA (sleep and even has nice dream) 24h after Surgery: the pain fluctuating between 2-5 (mostly 3) Totally cannot see for first day and was told by doctor it can took 1 week.
Hi - Thank you so much for your video. I have never commented on anything online before but this really hit home. I have watched/ read so many medical accounts but they have never encapsulated the emotional impact of eye disease and the fear that follows. I feel your pain everytime you teared up and I am truly sorry. I have had keratonsis since my early teens (prescription about -12 in each eye with scleric lenses). l couldn't have surgery due to an extremely thin cornea, then diagnosed with open angle glaucoma in my 20's. I've been on Alphagan & Xalatan since. At 38, my right cornea ruptured and had to have a cornea transplant. I've been on steroid drops since (Lotemax) and had to stop glaucoma meds for about 2 years. The Dr's did make me aware of the possibility of the transplant affecting my glaucoma, but I also had no choice but to have the transplant. My eyesight has since deteriorated in both eyes. Most days I can't wear lenses, read, watch tv or drive at all. I do still have hope though. There are so many places I would like to see. So many things I'd like to do...and so many surgeries I haven't tried. Thank you for giving me a portal to share my feelings. People with normal sight don't seem to understand, they feel like I'm either exaggerating or they should pity me. It's good to feel understood.
Like so many others, I know your story because of my personal experience. I tried so many eye drops, but time after time I would have terrible side effects. Combigan is a beta blocker. The medicine in it was originally used to lower blood pressure. Then researchers realized that it also lowered IOP, so they made it into eye drops. The first time I used it, I got so dizzy I almost fainted. I didn’t realize it was a side effect of the drops (low blood pressure) that was making me so lightheaded and dizzy. Next time I went to see my eye doctor I mentioned that I thought I had something wrong with my heart because of what I was experiencing. “Oh, that’s the Combigan. It affects some people like that,” she said, and changed me to Azopt. I had no idea. Btw, good news - a generic for Azopt came out this year, 2023, that only costs $10/month. The Glaucoma Research Foundation has several great TH-cam videos on tips and latest research for glaucoma patients. Lifestyle and diet recommendations, for example. Like never do any exercises or yoga poses in which your head is below your heart - so yes, no downward dog and no lying flat on the floor because it raises IOP. Anti- inflammatory diet advice. And also, since IOP goes up when you sleep, sleep with your head elevated on a stack of pillows or a wedge pillow. I’ve had hydra stents put in both eyes during cataract surgeries, and that has helped a bit. And, I meditate daily for about an hour, which has brought my pressures down significantly. There are new innovations on the horizon involving gene therapy and stem cells, that will be ready for use after they are approved. Keep your “bad eye.” You never know what miracles are in store.
Thanks for this advice on heart to eye elevation . I literally just had orbital decompression surgery and my head must remain elevated for a few weeks during sleep but now I understand overall that it’s also important for general glaucoma sufferers like I am
Caitlin, Thank you for sharing your story. You are a beautiful brave young woman and such an inspiration and comfort for many of us who are facing glaucoma surgery. Hope there will be better solutions for you , me, and others dealing with this disease - so many new discoveries just in the last few years that might lead to answers.
This is my first time commenting on TH-cam but your video spoke to me a lot. I'm also a relatively young person who has developed high eye pressure. I'm seeing my doctors every 6 months and am now on drops. I hope it doesn't progress as far as surgery, but it does look like it's headed that way. I came across your channel through your regular tech content, great stuff, keep up the good work.
Thanks for this video your bravery is inspiring. My right eye pressure went into orbit last month and my journey has just begun. Nothing was working so I received an injection in my eye this week. Thanks again for your video your honesty will help people who are facing the same challenges
I sincerely hope you get better! I too have a similar issue and have glaucoma (12 years worth) I must endure a similar surgery as you to relieve my pressure in my right . I've had an "eye stroke" and not much vision in my eye. It sux to deal with it and VERY expensive. I too endure the drops (several types) and HATE the "dry eye" that is a result of it all. Best of luck to you, hope you get better soon!
Thanks for the video. Watching it, I felt like I was hearing my own story. I’m 46, been dealing with glaucoma, which was only high pressure at first, for 15+ years. Been on all of the drops you have mentioned. Had a procedure called canaloplasy done about a month ago. Results were great the days after the surgery and then the pressure started increasing. Very disappointed. Had to go back to the doctor a few times this week so they could reopen the incision from the surgery to release fluid. Now they are telling me I will most likely need another surgery like you had. They prescribed me with a similar water pill to what you were taking called methazalamide. All they told me was that I would have to urinate frequently but nothing about everything else you mention. Really sucks there is no cure for this. We are too young to have to deal with this for the rest of our lives. I would love to hear what comes next for you. Not sure if I’m really going to have a decision but appreciate any feedback you have on post op. Was thinking about getting a second opinion but fear I will hear the same from other doctors. Thanks again for the video.
talk about being too young for this. I'm 27 and going through this. I'm also in Nigeria and the health care system is not soo great, so little information
I think you should get a second opinion .. it's good for your mental status .. Bascom Palmer hospital is very good at this procedure .. I had my left eye done and will have my right eye done on the 29th of August this year 22 .. i wish you well ps the left eye is doing well !! Blessings
Hey Caitlin - glad that you seem to be doing better. Regarding just taking your eye out - I wouldn't do it. Although it may seem 'useless' now, you never know what will happen in 5, 10, 15 years etc. They may be able to repair the optic nerve with stem cells (or other). You'd hate to give-up on the future opportunities by having it removed now. Best of luck in your continued struggle.
I am amazed and touched by you sharing with us your experience. I am a glaucoma patient like you are but not quite as serious as your case. Please hang in there because you somehow inspire me with your story. God Bless you and good luck!
I was diagnosed with this monster when I was 20 and I didn’t think much of it back then…. But now that I’m 40 and been on numerous drops… it’s a bit scary…
Yes, it seems to be just endless. Last summer, I had... the Trab surgery for glaucoma, then my retina detached and then cataract. Now, my pressure with combigan and azopt twice a day with prednisone every other day. The prednisone has affected my hair, but if I don’t take it I get inflammation and headaches. Everytime I want to start getting fit and fabulous, :) I need another surgery. Now, they want to do the tube shunt surgery in April. Wish me luck and the best to you.
Good to see you again. Back in 2006, I helped my dad with the aftermath of cataract surgery, no complications. Last year I had cataract surgery on one eye. The improvements in eye surgery in the intervening years is startling. The other eye will need cataract surgery someday, but so what. I understand how infuriating a chronic condition can be. Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure,and gout take up too much of my time and daily tasks. Anyway, keep at it. And you have pretty eyes.
Thank you sharing your experience. Listening to you felt like listening to my own experience with everything you have been through. I felt like nobody could understand how I felt physically, emotionally and mentally.
Thank you Caitlin for sharing your testimony regarding the Glaucoma, it was a very sincere & genuine experience which I myself can relate to. It was very encouraging to learn from your experience and I wish you all the best. Thank you & take care.
Sorry to hear you're going through that. I know it sucks. I went through that Glaucoma surgery as well, in my left eye, I was 27 at the time 3 yrs ago. It ended up giving me a really bad cataract, so I had to have surgery for that a year later. Glad you're doing well now! Ready for more content!!
Individuals like us who have had major surgeries and major body parts replaced are just a little stronger and take no crap. I hope you feel better soon. Stay positive. It could be worse, at least your not ugly. Any guy your age would be lucky to have you.
Thanks for sharing your experience with glaucoma Caitlin. I have advanced stage glaucoma and have been dealing with it for over twenty-five years. I am on maximum drops - 6 drops and have had multiple SLTs in both eyes along with Trabeculectomy mitomycin-c in the right eye. Like you, my IOP is at 30 and not responding to meds anymore. Went to see my eye Dr. yesterday and he recommended the aqueous shunt implant surgery along with cataract removal. I am willing to have the surgery but a little concerned about its effectiveness in lowering the IOP over the long term. Truthfully, I am concerned about complications and if this surgery will be beneficial in preventing total blindness.
I first started noticing my Peripheral going away at age 20. I am now 25 and it took 4 eye doctors to finally figure out it was glaucoma. I’ve started taking prescribed eye drops so hopefully now it helps
Hi, sorry to hear of your challenges with glaucoma. Glad your employer is understanding. I had 3 trabeculotomy surgeries for glaucoma when I was 19-20 and a 4th when I was 24. Since the two surgeries in each eye, my pressure had been managed by eye drops, from Timolol and Xalatan and Azopt. Then earlier this year - 28 years since my last surgery - my pressure in my left eye started rising again. I tried different drops - including Vyzulta and Brimodine. But the pressure remained high and I had another trabeculotomy surgery in my left eye last week. Tube shunt was an option but my doctor was able to find some space in eye to do another trab. Recovery is slow and the eye is itchy a lot. I’m also using artificial tears for comfort. I wanted to say to keep hope alive and do not remove your eye. Regenerative research is showing promise and you are young enough that it may be an option in your lifetime. Keep hope alive and stay positive!
Ive been having somewhat the same eye issues, i was pretty bummed out but seeing you so happy is good at least you can remain happy. And help other people with the same problems.
Hello Steve I ever interested to find out how your surgery right I am considering having surgery done actually set up an appointment but it was in another state and I really didn’t understand what I needed to do in terms of aftercare so I moved it back to my state where I am now seeing a Doctor Who is going to do a postop on my right eye the only one I have that’s working so wish me luck and reach out with a comment on how your operation went might be very interested to hear thanks
Thanks for this video Caitlin. My son wears glasses and uses contacts (about 4 to 5 years now) and he said he would wear his dailies more then a day. I will let him know to be more careful and only use them daily. Glad you found your mojo and will be making more new videos. I look forward to them.
Yikes. Our eyes are so important - perhaps even the most important of our senses. I am near-sighted on my right eye; started when I was a teenager. The advantage of that, however, is the fact that I can see very small things extremely well with my "bad" right eye (like, for instance, when having to remove a tiny splinter from a finger). Caitlin, you seem to be a strong person. I admire you for that. Be well..
Hi, i am battleling with glaucoma since the age of 6; i am 38 now. I have a valve like you in my right eye and it change my life, i'm familiar with what you've been thru.
@@tyshawnharris8279 I really don't even know how to explain my own situation now,I know there's a problem with my right eye and have been using medicated lense until I had stroke recently then I noticed it seemed like I can't see out of my right eye and now I'm on drops to bring my eye pressure down I can read things perfectly but bump into things and people in the house and it's disturbing
I am also a Glachoma patient and i went through trabeculectomy surgery about five weeks ago. I completely understand from where you came.. I was suffering from that kinda situation about 3 years and i had alot of stress.. May God bless you..
@@HamzaBashir12340 surgery k baad shuroo me k days me to kaafi pain hota..Aur us se pehle due to difference of sight in both eyes, sar m kaafi dard hota ha...Eye pressure control nahi hota...Aur aaj saal se uper hogya meri surgery ko, itching hoti ha ankh m...
@@khurramzaman836 matlab My Dr ko kahu .mjy Drops ya Tablets hi dey... My 8 class my tha Jab sfyd motya Diagnose huva tha ..tab se latep use kr ra hun... aj 6 7 saal baad .. Ankh ka pressure baarh gya h shahid .. Day time ek akh my Blur Vision or Round Lights Nzt ati h
This video has me all freaked out now...I've been fighting dry eye for years now. It comes for several months, leaves for several months, comes back for several months, etc. I definitely blame wearing contacts too long back when I was young.
I am having surgery This Thursday . I have the exact same thing happening to me . I am younger also. You have described my situation to the tee. My pressures were high.i am so SCARED. I am glad to have found you. I now know what to kinda expect💕
The recovery was 2 weeks .ended up where he built the canal out of my own eye tissue. Surgery went GREAT!!! Pressure down to 14!!!! Sight back to normal after month
Just found your videos. Love listening to you talk. You sound like a terrific person, beautiful inside and out. I'm sorry you had to go through so much with your health. I hope you find peace and relief from everything that ails you.❤
Wow! Thank you for sharing! I just went to my Dr today for my glacoma. I'm 49 have had glaucoma for 2 years now. Today the dr said she believes at some point I will need surgery. Going to try SLA again. Didnt do much before. Most drops I have had alot of reactions to so it's been a pain. I'm praying I dont need surgery. Your story has helped me not feel alone. You're incredibly brave. Thank you again. I'm scared shirtless!
Caitlin you are a super courageous person and I have mountains of respect for you! How ballsy are you, "just take the eye out, it doesn't function correctly so I have no use for it" Waw that's badass as a true warrior right there! Thank for sharing!
Life is crazy indeed and full of challenges. But glad you got a pretty serious situation under control even if this might be something you need to keep an eye on the rest of your life. My dear passed grandmother used to have glaucoma. She was also a keen reader so a big part of her life was missing after she lost her vision so badly that she could not see much. So, do whatever you need to do to keep your pressure under control, Caitlin
Had the same surgery. The valve is huge I did'nt no how big it was till my eye lid would not close all the way. And double vision is scary. God bless you.
Greate video, I'm 34 and I have glaucoma, my father had it too, you are not the only one. yesterday just had SLT laser on my right eye next month is my left. You are so courageous!!!
Thank you for sharing. And Its been 3 yrs. I want to encourage you to keep going on. I am 47 and had the same surgery to save my left eye. I also have enough sight in my right eye to keep on going.
Just came across your TH-cam video.. I have to say I can relate to you. I just had trabeculectomy done 5 days ago, prior to surgery I was on 6 different drops and 2000mg of diamox... literally know everything your feeling, I basically had the same experience as you. My pressure would reach 60 !! Thanks for making a video gained a subscriber
So glad to see you back, Caitlyn! Wow it has been such a battle as you say. Yet you glow such light (if I can call it that way) after 22:16, it is so inspiring, I wanted to give you a hug right then, hope not sounding creepy. Wishing you much healing and best luck, and much looking forward to your upcoming videos.
Hooboy that is a lot of eye drama! I’m glad the surgery went ok and that you’re doing better. I’ve always had high pressure in one eye (19) and another that has scar tissue, but so far I’ve been lucky and haven’t had to use eye drops or anything. I don’t mind the puffer machine at the doctor’s office, but I dread that field of vision test!
I have worn glasses for 42 years. Never ever wanted contacts. The idea of putting something in my eye really creeps me out. My glasses are just part of who I am. Hope you do regain some sight in your eye, and please wear glasses if the contacts become an issue again.
Great to see you again Caitlin . Having had an eye injury years ago I can sorta understand a bit what you go though , cause my problem is still ongoing . I'm hope things are good with you're eye in the future .
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Eye issues. I am in the exact same situation as you are except that I am older than you and in the age group that is prone to this. I have inflammation on Rt eye was treated with steroid drops and shots to no avail and only caused the pressure to go up. Multiple pressure drops like Cosopt, Rhopressa (costs almost $4 for each drop good insurance doesnt cover it), and Travatan on a daily basis after 3 months stopped controlling the pressure. So referred to a Glaucoma specialist and he put me on the Acetazolomide tablet (water depleting ) and that only cut the pressure down by a few points with pressure still in the 30 range. So he has decided that i should go with the Implant the same one you had (aka Ahmad Valve with tube shunt), and will have it next week. After this when things heal have to get the cataract removed and the Inflammation specialist is going to try aggressive steroid treatment. It is not fun living on drops every 2 hours and tablets and Dr visit on a weekly basis. Wondering how did they treat your inflammation?. Any update on your situation will be appreciated and I wish you well and you have many years ahead for you and myt prayers for your recovery.
Hi Caitlin, thank you for sharing, I have a situation very similar to yours, and I am a Tech guy too, Like IT security and so on.. watching out your videos sometimes it like your choices are like I am having the opportunity to see in real, what it could happen to me if I took the same path you already experienced, but I can think twice, paying more attention to those topics as Health, money etc... Really nice hearing from you! Thanks.
Helpful yes. Sorry you have to deal with this being so young, not to mention beautiful. Inside and out. I’m 67, dealing with this crap now. Appreciate your insight. Ha in sight. Yea i know what your thinking, this guy has a strange humor. But truthfully I’m appreciative. God bless ❤
In 3 months I'd 3 surgery in my right eye, one because of cataract and 2 because of glaucoma where the doctor put a tube in my eye, and then had to replace it because the first one folded (I'm a lucky guy). I'm a 28m, and it's been tough on me... Today my pressure elevated as well, and tomorrow and I will go to my doc expecting its just my eye healing. Hope you still fine. Thanks, from Portugal.
I know how you feel. I have the same thing in my left eye. My eye doesn't open all the way because of the implant. I have just learned to deal with it. I have a light sensitivity in my left eye also, so working on the computer is a one eyed experience. I feel your pain.
Reading these comments made me so emotional. I have just had the surgery on my right eye 6 months. I am legally blind on my left eye. I have been through a lot after the surgery, severe eye pain, blurry vision, eye pressure shooting way too high or too low to zero. You name it, I have been through it. I have visited Emergency Room four times after the surgery for severe eye pain. I felt so alone because nobody around me could understand what I have been going through. Some days are good and some days are not so good. I am just learning how to leave with it.
Thank you for sharing your story! I recently had eye surgery also, to fix retinal detachment. Had another surgery 5 years ago, for retinal detachment in other eye. I’ll pray for you ❤
Thank you for this video. So many people take their eyes for granted. It’s crazy what we do to our eyes with contacts and videos like this help to educate people. So thank you.
Love your video. I too am suffering from glaucoma. So this video was very helpful. I am an also a stage 4 cancer patient. So I know how u feel when u say bad news seems to never stop.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. God willing you’ll continue to heal well and your condition will become lots more manageable. Glad you’re feeling better.
Caitlin, read up on Bate's method. This has helped me recover my eye sight. I had astigmatism. It's the eye exercises that help your eyes see better, pressure in your eye releases similar to working out other muscles. Just do it a bit after you recover, since you had surgery just recently. My father nearly has 20/20 at the age of 65 because of this excercise. Even I saw 2-3 unit improvement in my eye sight. Another GREAT thing to make your eyesight excellent is bilberry extract capsules. It's natural vitamin. My grandma ate bilberries for years knowing this. At the age of 80 she had better eyesight than my dad. So he started those excercises. Bilberry and Bate's Method. There is a book on Bate's method. He is a doctor that was shunned by optomitrists, but reality is that it helped thousands already. Even asian practice Qigong has those exercises. So they work, as long as you do them, and then you retain eyesight for most part. My dad had -3.5 or -4, and was able to bring it back to -1. That was in like 4 months of excercises. Bilberry sharpens the vision. I was able to read signs I could not in the past after about 2 months of taking it. In your case severity will give you results, at the very least making your prescription less magnified. -10 is INSANE, that's bad, plus nearsight. You can change that, definitely helps trying natural methods on top of it. Eye sight is also problem with blood circulation to the eyes and eye fatigue. Reading too much, and sitting at the computer does that, it strains eyes too much. You are fixated on close object, and that ruins the other spectrum. Looking into the distance and bringing eyes to close objects help heal that. Back and forth kind of thing. Overall fixable to some extent, as long as you continue doing it. Arteries and blood flow to the eye is highly important too. As much as lense within your eye (natural lense, not prescription), the crystal within eye structure that calibrates distance and precision. Your natural ability to do so.
Thanks for sharing the information about the bates method there was a guy on TH-cam who his child was all about that I had forgotten about that and the Information about the berries again for sharing highly appreciate it.
UK here! Your story is an exact replica of mine, except I'm blind in my left eye and having Shunt Surgery on Tuesday. Wasn't aware you'd have a bump where you can feel the implant (that made me feel nauseated!) But I have to have both eyes done. Separately of course. The field of vision is a pain, so I go out with a mini white cane and if I bump into anyone, they know why! I'm 47 so having the surgery done every 5 years is not something I look forward to 😏
Thank you for sharing. I'm actually going through the same.. It has hit me a bit hard to be honest... I'm suppose to have the XEN surgery in a week or so. Flying and they gym are my only real "happy places"; I understand this is going to be an issue. A good take away from your vid was the time "expectancy" of the procedure. I did not ask about that. Again. thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this informative video. I also have some eye issues and i appreciate the honest way you told your story. Actually i don't notice anything wrong with your right eye..looks normal to me. Take care and good luck☺
I have glaucoma in both my eyes and I take 4 eye drops everyday for my pressures so I don't go blind. I have had glaucoma since I was nine years old and I've been taking eye drops for 18 years. I also to see my glaucoma specialist a lot.
Glad you're ok Caitlin! Scrolling through some of your videos now that I'm a new subscriber. I have contacts and good to hear on what caused this, more aware and will be taking these out nightly instead of sleeping with it on! As I mentioned in another video, you're very beautiful and smart, a breath of fresh air compared to many other YT tech vlogs! 😀
I was diagnosed with Recurrent Corneal Erosion in my right eye about 5 years ago. If you're not familiar it is failure of the cornea to properly attach. In my case my eye dries and upon waking (mostly) my eyelid will cause my cornea to tear. Yes, it is as painful as it sounds. Keeping my eye properly hydrated, through drops or just overall water intake I have found, is very effective in staving off the injury from returning. A couple weeks ago it did return as I had run out of drops and had to go on erythromycin ointment to stave off infection. So, yes, take care of your eyes.
Thank you so much for your video ! Jusy like my story .... I dont know any person that has Glaucoma so was important to me to hear you. I wish you all the best !!
Enjoyed your story. Sorry so much has happened to you at Young age. I has Glaucoma, were doing lazer surgery and putting a seed implant instead of night drops. They want to save my eyes.. right one bad.. left one starting... I'm 67 and diabetes is my culprit. And me being non active instead of proactive is how things happened.. best of luck to you. They are always inventing stuff!!
Hi Caitlin... I had Trabeculectomy surgery 2 weeks ago in my left eye (pretty much similar situation like yours)... May god bless with overall good health 😇🙏💫
I stumbled on your video because of the title. I’m sure I’ll be in your shoes in the near future. Good luck to you and the others. I always have to say to myself that at least I’ve got 1 good eye. Funny to hear you say “can’t you just take it out”, I’ve thought that..lol. Cataracts in both, detachment’s in both, Ugg. And now the glaucoma. I may try the implant because Medicare will pay for it but insurance won’t. I’ve learned to live with my droopy eye and I delete all the photos of my black eye if I can’t lighten it up in photoshop. I’m a cook and am constantly telling people not to walk behind me, I have a knife. Good luck to you.
I'm still recovering from a retina tear surgery - had pressure in the eye after the operation and it's taken nearly 3 months for the gas bubble in my eye to dissipate. I now have to wait about a year for a full recovery of vision - currently have some macular puckering meaning if I look only through my left eye at someone they have a really small head! A bit odd but the sight otherwise is normal. Though I've now been told I will have to have my cataract done next year as the blood from the tear in my retina contaminated the lens, and will deteriorate faster! Eyes are a strange thing - I wore contacts 20 years ago, but I got enlarged blood vessels (same as you, too many hours in front of a screen) and finally got lasik 5 years ago - best decision EVER.
This video was worth it = ) i rather googled your name and Eye, instead of asking weird stuff in your chat that you probably answered 300 times already, i am sorry you went through this. but i am happy you are doing as well as you are doing!, fun fact, you were one of the first people i ever watched on twitch years ago! was fun to find your stream again a few weeks ago.
Thanks. You are very brave. I am way older than you and i don't have all your problems. I have glaucoma and was just told that I will be doing that surgery soon. I even did the laser surgery 3 years ago You have such a bubbly personality despite everything.
I wish you well with your eye issues. I use my e-bike a lot ( > 80km per week), and I can't imagine what it would be like to manage busy traffic with one functional eye when going at speeds of near or above 30km/h. Take care, lass.
Wow we have the same exact story except it’s my left eye My stent surgery is tomorrow wish me luck 🙏🏽 like you I’ve accepted my condition as well I’d rather have one eye then no eyes Stay blessed hun
Loved your video I really felt for you I had the exact surgery in my right eye a few days ago along with cataract surgery I’m 30 you look amazing we just have to where it well and preserve what we have left lol I learned a lot from this ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yesterday I was diagnosed with glaucoma. No idea about the severity of this condition. The doctor said "you have glaucoma, I'll give you some eye drops and I'll see you in 40 days." She gave me a referral for some laser treatment and that was it. So here I am searching for as much information as possible to help me through it. I feel drained emotionally. I am 35 with a condition that affects people in their 60s. So depressing. Thanks for sharing your story.
You're not alone. I was diagnosed at 16. I'm 38 now and had shunts put in 4 yrs ago. Now I'm having my cateracts removed and a mew shunt put in my rt eye.
Oh boy, Caitlin! My pressure is about 9 but I have to cope with double vision in my right eye. And it shows up at night while I drive, so at times, I close my right eye, so to keep my vision straight. Now I'm in search of a Glaucoma double vision specialist so to correct it. Oh boy! I'm 73 but I really need to get my double vision corrected. Any ideas?? Thanks for your video, though! You've been an inspiration to me. God bless, Caitlin!
![[#2024MAMA] G-DRAGON - 무제(Untitled, 2014)+POWER+HOME SWEET HOME+뱅뱅뱅+FANTASTIC BABY | Mnet 241123 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ox29z5Nf1Uk/mqdefault.jpg)
I was in denial when I got my eyes checked and the pressure was high. I thought why me? because this is a condition that used to mainly affect older individuals. Now, I am taking my drops religiously. I only wish that I would have started sooner. Everyday, I am aware that I have an eye disease that wants to rob me of my vision, which sometimes makes me depressed and I then go into isolation. I just hope for the best and continue to do what I am suppose to in order to preserve the vision that I do have. Hopefully, before long we will be able to tackle this disease in another way. Thank you for sharing your story. You’re an inspiration and I wish you the best.
I feel your pain. Its less then 24 hours since I found out I have it and I locked myself in my room processing it. Like you, I feel very depressed. Fear of losing my sight sends me in depression overdrive. Hope you are healing well.
@@ruthmelicharles5062 what are the symptoms?
@@assetavengers excruciating headaches, nausea and there were times when I'll be using my phone of laptop and my eyes went blurry or dark.
I was diagnosed with Glaucoma today
Im was diagnosed at 35. Just a simple eye exam. I don’t know if its genetics, hereditary, or trauma.
I have congenital glaucoma. So birth to now I’ve had glaucoma. I have the shunt surgery in both eyes now but, in the left eye (the worse case) has lasted me 16+ years. So I want to reassure you if done properly and monitored closely, the tube should last a very long time. Seeing your video helped me know I’m not the only young adult with glaucoma! So I really appreciate you posting this🥰
What did you do with the problem….i m facing too from birth and i m now 16 years old
Thank you for sharing ur story, i currently have a high eye preassure rn at 29 and 28 and im taking preassure drops. I went to the doctor yesterday, now i have to take exams if i have glaucoma or what. But im just 17 and im so scared to go blind. (Because i have a tiny black spot in my left eye)I hope theres a place where we could find comfort in. An app where people like us could connect and calm ourselves to gether and share our experiences. I hope everyone here heals and i hope and pray that all of us will heal.
Me too i have eye floaters and diagnose with glaucoma 😢sadd
Hi CookieGirls. A Glaucoma patient here (Posner-Schlossman Syndrome). Looks like u caught it early, so don't panic. If the tests confirm it, my advises would be:
1. Read a lot. Like enough to become an expert (non-professionally of course) about Glaucoma and all it's types and subtypes, treatments, surgeries, .. etc. This learning will be ongoing, sadly.
2. Find an excellent specialist. Opthalmologists are highly specialized. So, your doctor needs to be specialized in glaucoma, not cataract or retina for instance.
3. The specialist will take you through a process: use eye drops first for some time (could be months), and if the eye pressure is fine and regular like clock-work then cool, u will just need to use them forever. Otherwise, a surgery is required. Types of surgeries vary according to the type of Glaucoma. I advise that u learn ab them from now. For instance, the tube that Caitlin got is the type used mostly when nothing else works. Good call from her doctor I think.
4. You need to be proactive. Understand the symptoms of high IOP so that u can react immediately. Talk to ur doctor and widen ur understanding through him (he/she needs to be the type who is ok to talk and explain things. You will suffer with a silent doctor). If you don't notice your symptoms and report them to ur doctor, this may affect their decisions for ur treatment.
5. Make it a habit to check ur eye pressure (IOP) in both eyes every week or two weeks max (find a place close to ur home). Document ur readings so that u can discuss it with ur doctor later. Remember, it's your eyes and u are the first person responsible for them.
6. Some types of Glaucoma have known reasons, others (like mine) don't. Problem is we humans don't know yet how to regenerate nerve cells. So, all these medications and surgeries are to stop further deterioration, not to regain any lost vision. I'm 44, and hopefully I will live to see us regenerate nerve cells.
Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions.
Me too I have it and blind spots in left eye but whatever comes I’ll make the best of it wishing you the same 💕
I had the glaucoma shunt 4 months ago. I'm 32 years and was born with cataract in my left eye. I had the cataract removed when I was a couple weeks old and always been on pressure drops my entire life. I'm glad I came across your video. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only young person going through this. I pray for good treatment and healing for us all.
Has the shunt help ?
@@pamelabarrell3153You guys are more lucky then me a surgery is the reason my eye is lazy I have glaucoma and a old doctor did a old surgery on me which not only made me blind in my left eye but it is also lazy and messed up . What makes this even worse is that another doctor told me I should of never got the surgery and that the eye specialist who did it needs to retire . I was only 15 it ruined everything for me I just wish I could go back in time and never get that surgery I would still be able to see in my left eye I would have been normal . I had super high confidence before it and after I lost confidence. The best looking girl in school liked me the next year treated me like I didn't exist. I hope it's a way for me like y'all but more damage has been done to my eye . Idk if the actual eye ball is even the same size anymore or maybe it's just weaker . There's little to no information about people like me who wasn't born this way but created by glaucoma surgery (not laser one ) the one where you have a bleb. Do y'all think I can be fixed as well
No never get it it'll do exactly the opposite of what it's suppose to do it steals vision it's the dumbest surgery ever I got it when I was 15 in my left eye it made me go blind and ugly because it changed my appearance. I don't know why I can't find more information about people like me maybe because most people get laser nowadays . If a doctor ever tells you anything about a shunt surgery look at him crazy and he'll know that you know it's going to ruin your life they know it's probably gonna make you go blind like me but won't tell you that @@pamelabarrell3153
I know the struggle you're going through. I lost vision in my left eye about 2 years ago. About 7 or 8 years ago I had a cornea transplant and it worked really well until 2 years ago. A year ago I had a 2nd transplant but it failed and my restoring my vision may not possible but I am getting a second opinion from another doctor hopefully soon. Watching your video and hearing about how someone has gone through something very similar was comforting. So many of things you went through with your fluctuating eye pressure and constant use of drops was so very familiar to me. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I also worked in the tech field which is what brought me yo your channel. Unfortunately that had to end for me with my current situation as it is. Thanks for sharing what you've been through. Sometimes it can feel very lonely when no one I know has been through something like I am. Again thanks and please continue to make content I've been enjoying your channel a lot.
Sorry for the long post
I too am having some of the simile issues I do work in the tech for you and I’m going through having a cannerac removed and I should put in on my one remaining right eye that works I’d appreciate hearing from you I have no problem talking somebody feels so much like home alone but having somebody to share information with is really helpful and I thank you for sharing your story come out for deer in from you.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I got LASIK 1 year ago, and my left eye regressed to 25/30 and I had to do a followup surgery. 2 weeks after the followup, my vision started going blurry, milky and started regressing. It turns out the the Corticosteroid Durezol eyedrops were causing my eye to increase pressure. I called like right away and tried to get into contact with my doctor, and she prescribed Tomolol Maleate, a drop used to reduce pressure. Within one hour my eyes were able to slightly adjust and focus on small details, and the next day it continued to improve. Be very careful with your eyes people, take care of it and make sure to get professional advice if anything peculiar happens or else you CAN go blind.
Sorry to hear you are going through all of this Caitlin. Feel better and take care of yourself. Thanks for keeping us in the loop on how you are doing.
Sad to hear about all the problems you have had Caitlin :(, but having said that it's great to see you back and being your "chirpy" self again, have missed watching your vids. Hope you fully heal soon and remember not to put so much pressure on yourself!
I was diagnosed with glaucoma at 25 and the thought of losing my vision has made me very depressed. I hate wearing contacts and my glasses are very thick so it has pretty much debilitated my self-esteem. I can't really say I remain hopeful. I remain indifferent, but I continue to take my eye drops and when I feel depressed, I let it run its course. No one understands this type of disappointment. I went to college for performing arts and had hopes of becoming a well known entertainer and I feel like God/life/universe/whoever has kinda taken that away from me because I struggle to find myself attractive when I look at myself.
Anyway, all that to say, thank you for your video and from experience, I completely get where you're coming from.
Much love!
how r u now.?
@@aditi8987 thanks for asking! I actually moved to Japan and I wear daily contacts so that has improved my self-esteem. I go to a specialist doctor to treat my glaucoma so things are going pretty well. I just use my eye drops every day!
Im 37 and just got diagnosed today I’m so depressed about it. They said I need drops and then possibly surgery later on in life. It’s so depressing and I’m so scared. What drops have worked best for you?
Sae here man . I am so depressed and shitting my self out.
Thank you for sharing your story, even though this happened to you a few years ago, I’m glad I found your story I’m going through all this now. Just had surgery 10/31 it’s all pretty scary. I’m going on 6 weeks and I feel like on and off I still have symptoms, I’m having headaches almost everyday. Everything you talked about I’ve been going through it’s crazy because a lot of times you do feel lonely and it’s scary. The Diamox is horrible I lost weight while on it because it made me so sick. I pray that one day there’s a cure for this very scary & sad disease that could rob us from seeing our loved ones. Again thank you so much for sharing your story.
Thanks so much for making this video. I had a trabeculectomy that stopped working recently and I might need a tube shunt surgery and your video made me a lot less scared about it. I really appreciate the time you put into making this.
Youre intrepid demeanor towards blindness amazes me. I have had high ocular pressure for a while and am taking drops nightly for it. I could never imagine loosing an eye let alone asking a doctor to take one out. Girl you are savage in the best possible way. Thanks for the share.
Wow!! i just came across your page. I can totally relate to just about everything you said. I have advanced glaucoma...4 years ago numbers were 49 and 39...very high. Just had my 4th eye surgery on the same right eye 1n 12 months because of complications. I now have 2 shunts in my right eye. I also said let’s just take the eyeball out but of course docs are going to fight for your vision...so we keep fighting, I am 5 days post-op and trying to heal. I wish you the best.
I'm 20, was going to have LASIK which was my dream since being 10. On the day I had a few tests done and instead of surgery, I was told I had glaucoma and couldn't have the laser. I'm devastated and so scared 😭😭 I'm -7.00 and I have astigmatism as well. Thank you for the video, so sorry you had to go through all of this, sending love and a lot of support. ❤️
Only recently found your channel, and I like your content.
So, although this was six months ago from where I saw it, you've been through a lot. Anyone would lose motivation, and yet you're still here, and getting better. I love your candidness and strength, it's very inspiring and also humbling.
Thank you for sharing this, and for being awesome!
Look forward to more videos, and I hope your healing is going well :)
Take care
I saw this video 24h before my operation. Its very useful.
I have Glaucoma drainage implant and cataract removal at same time on one eye recently.
Doctor put me on General anesthetic.
Usual Cataract surgery- 20 min
usual Glaucoma surgery- 25min
My surgery duration - 1h
wakeup: 3h after operation start. (Doctor wait 2h for my anesthetic to wear off after complete surgery.)
Put in observation room for another 3h after wake up.
My operation start at 230pm. I walk out of hospital at 830pm same day.
Pain level- 0 mean no pain, 10 extreme pain ( i am someone who cannot take pain)
During surgery - NA (sleep and even has nice dream)
24h after Surgery: the pain fluctuating between 2-5 (mostly 3)
Totally cannot see for first day and was told by doctor it can took 1 week.
Hi - Thank you so much for your video. I have never commented on anything online before but this really hit home.
I have watched/ read so many medical accounts but they have never encapsulated the emotional impact of eye disease and the fear that follows.
I feel your pain everytime you teared up and I am truly sorry.
I have had keratonsis since my early teens (prescription about -12 in each eye with scleric lenses). l couldn't have surgery due to an extremely thin cornea, then diagnosed with open angle glaucoma in my 20's. I've been on Alphagan & Xalatan since. At 38, my right cornea ruptured and had to have a cornea transplant. I've been on steroid drops since (Lotemax) and had to stop glaucoma meds for about 2 years.
The Dr's did make me aware of the possibility of the transplant affecting my glaucoma, but I also had no choice but to have the transplant.
My eyesight has since deteriorated in both eyes. Most days I can't wear lenses, read, watch tv or drive at all.
I do still have hope though. There are so many places I would like to see. So many things I'd like to do...and so many surgeries I haven't tried.
Thank you for giving me a portal to share my feelings. People with normal sight don't seem to understand, they feel like I'm either exaggerating or they should pity me.
It's good to feel understood.
Like so many others, I know your story because of my personal experience. I tried so many eye drops, but time after time I would have terrible side effects. Combigan is a beta blocker. The medicine in it was originally used to lower blood pressure. Then researchers realized that it also lowered IOP, so they made it into eye drops. The first time I used it, I got so dizzy I almost fainted. I didn’t realize it was a side effect of the drops (low blood pressure) that was making me so lightheaded and dizzy. Next time I went to see my eye doctor I mentioned that I thought I had something wrong with my heart because of what I was experiencing. “Oh, that’s the Combigan. It affects some people like that,” she said, and changed me to Azopt. I had no idea. Btw, good news - a generic for Azopt came out this year, 2023, that only costs $10/month.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation has several great TH-cam videos on tips and latest research for glaucoma patients. Lifestyle and diet recommendations, for example. Like never do any exercises or yoga poses in which your head is below your heart - so yes, no downward dog and no lying flat on the floor because it raises IOP. Anti- inflammatory diet advice. And also, since IOP goes up when you sleep, sleep with your head elevated on a stack of pillows or a wedge pillow.
I’ve had hydra stents put in both eyes during cataract surgeries, and that has helped a bit. And, I meditate daily for about an hour, which has brought my pressures down significantly. There are new innovations on the horizon involving gene therapy and stem cells, that will be ready for use after they are approved. Keep your “bad eye.” You never know what miracles are in store.
Thanks for this advice on heart to eye elevation . I literally just had orbital decompression surgery and my head must remain elevated for a few weeks during sleep but now I understand overall that it’s also important for general glaucoma sufferers like I am
Caitlin, Thank you for sharing your story. You are a beautiful brave young woman and such an inspiration and comfort for many of us who are facing glaucoma surgery. Hope there will be better solutions for you , me, and others dealing with this disease - so many new discoveries just in the last few years that might lead to answers.
This is my first time commenting on TH-cam but your video spoke to me a lot. I'm also a relatively young person who has developed high eye pressure. I'm seeing my doctors every 6 months and am now on drops. I hope it doesn't progress as far as surgery, but it does look like it's headed that way.
I came across your channel through your regular tech content, great stuff, keep up the good work.
Thanks for this video your bravery is inspiring. My right eye pressure went into orbit last month and my journey has just begun. Nothing was working so I received an injection in my eye this week. Thanks again for your video your honesty will help people who are facing the same challenges
I sincerely hope you get better! I too have a similar issue and have glaucoma (12 years worth) I must endure a similar surgery as you to relieve my pressure in my right . I've had an "eye stroke" and not much vision in my eye. It sux to deal with it and VERY expensive. I too endure the drops (several types) and HATE the "dry eye" that is a result of it all. Best of luck to you, hope you get better soon!
Thanks for the video. Watching it, I felt like I was hearing my own story. I’m 46, been dealing with glaucoma, which was only high pressure at first, for 15+ years. Been on all of the drops you have mentioned. Had a procedure called canaloplasy done about a month ago. Results were great the days after the surgery and then the pressure started increasing. Very disappointed. Had to go back to the doctor a few times this week so they could reopen the incision from the surgery to release fluid. Now they are telling me I will most likely need another surgery like you had. They prescribed me with a similar water pill to what you were taking called methazalamide. All they told me was that I would have to urinate frequently but nothing about everything else you mention. Really sucks there is no cure for this. We are too young to have to deal with this for the rest of our lives.
I would love to hear what comes next for you. Not sure if I’m really going to have a decision but appreciate any feedback you have on post op.
Was thinking about getting a second opinion but fear I will hear the same from other doctors.
Thanks again for the video.
talk about being too young for this. I'm 27 and going through this. I'm also in Nigeria and the health care system is not soo great, so little information
I think you should get a second opinion .. it's good for your mental status .. Bascom Palmer hospital is very good at this procedure .. I had my left eye done and will have my right eye done on the 29th of August this year 22 .. i wish you well ps the left eye is doing well !! Blessings
Hey Caitlin - glad that you seem to be doing better. Regarding just taking your eye out - I wouldn't do it. Although it may seem 'useless' now, you never know what will happen in 5, 10, 15 years etc. They may be able to repair the optic nerve with stem cells (or other). You'd hate to give-up on the future opportunities by having it removed now. Best of luck in your continued struggle.
I am amazed and touched by you sharing with us your experience. I am a glaucoma patient like you are but not quite as serious as your case. Please hang in there because you somehow inspire me with your story. God Bless you and good luck!
I was just diagnosed with glaucoma 4 weeks ago y’all please pray for me 🙏🏿🛐🧎♀️
I was diagnosed with this monster when I was 20 and I didn’t think much of it back then…. But now that I’m 40 and been on numerous drops… it’s a bit scary…
Yes, it seems to be just endless. Last summer, I had... the Trab surgery for glaucoma, then my retina detached and then cataract. Now, my pressure with combigan and azopt twice a day with prednisone every other day. The prednisone has affected my hair, but if I don’t take it I get inflammation and headaches. Everytime I want to start getting fit and fabulous, :) I need another surgery. Now, they want to do the tube shunt surgery in April. Wish me luck and the best to you.
Good to see you again. Back in 2006, I helped my dad with the aftermath of cataract surgery, no complications. Last year I had cataract surgery on one eye. The improvements in eye surgery in the intervening years is startling. The other eye will need cataract surgery someday, but so what. I understand how infuriating a chronic condition can be. Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure,and gout take up too much of my time and daily tasks.
Anyway, keep at it.
And you have pretty eyes.
Thank you sharing your experience. Listening to you felt like listening to my own experience with everything you have been through. I felt like nobody could understand how I felt physically, emotionally and mentally.
Thank you Caitlin for sharing your testimony regarding the Glaucoma, it was a very sincere & genuine experience which I myself can relate to. It was very encouraging to learn from your experience and I wish you all the best. Thank you & take care.
Sorry to hear you're going through that. I know it sucks. I went through that Glaucoma surgery as well, in my left eye, I was 27 at the time 3 yrs ago. It ended up giving me a really bad cataract, so I had to have surgery for that a year later. Glad you're doing well now! Ready for more content!!
Did the cataract surgery make any positive impact on your sight?
Wow, thank you. I am facing this surgery and am really scared. What I learned from you is to see the eye doctor as often as possible.
Individuals like us who have had major surgeries and major body parts replaced are just a little stronger and take no crap. I hope you feel better soon. Stay positive. It could be worse, at least your not ugly. Any guy your age would be lucky to have you.
Thanks for sharing your experience with glaucoma Caitlin. I have advanced stage glaucoma and have been dealing with it for over twenty-five years. I am on maximum drops - 6 drops and have had multiple SLTs in both eyes along with Trabeculectomy mitomycin-c in the right eye. Like you, my IOP is at 30 and not responding to meds anymore. Went to see my eye Dr. yesterday and he recommended the aqueous shunt implant surgery along with cataract removal. I am willing to have the surgery but a little concerned about its effectiveness in lowering the IOP over the long term. Truthfully, I am concerned about complications and if this surgery will be beneficial in preventing total blindness.
Get another opinion from another specialist!
I first started noticing my Peripheral going away at age 20. I am now 25 and it took 4 eye doctors to finally figure out it was glaucoma. I’ve started taking prescribed eye drops so hopefully now it helps
Hi, sorry to hear of your challenges with glaucoma. Glad your employer is understanding. I had 3 trabeculotomy
surgeries for glaucoma when I was 19-20 and a 4th when I was 24. Since the two surgeries in each eye, my pressure had been managed by eye drops, from Timolol and Xalatan and Azopt. Then earlier this year - 28 years since my last surgery - my pressure in my left eye started rising again. I tried different drops - including Vyzulta and Brimodine. But the pressure remained high and I had another trabeculotomy surgery in my left eye last week. Tube shunt was an option but my doctor was able to find some space in eye to do another trab. Recovery is slow and the eye is itchy a lot. I’m also using artificial tears for comfort.
I wanted to say to keep hope alive and do not remove your eye. Regenerative research is showing promise and you are young enough that it may be an option in your lifetime. Keep hope alive and stay positive!
hello , please help .
Just had eye surgery! Trabeculectomy and cataract surgery. Its genetic however it is critical to reduce stress in your life. Thank you for the video.
Ive been having somewhat the same eye issues, i was pretty bummed out but seeing you so happy is good at least you can remain happy. And help other people with the same problems.
It’s so good to see someone young make a video like this. I’m having the same surgery on Thursday and you’ve really helped me. Thank you.
Hello Steve I ever interested to find out how your surgery right I am considering having surgery done actually set up an appointment but it was in another state and I really didn’t understand what I needed to do in terms of aftercare so I moved it back to my state where I am now seeing a Doctor Who is going to do a postop on my right eye the only one I have that’s working so wish me luck and reach out with a comment on how your operation went might be very interested to hear thanks
Thanks for this video Caitlin. My son wears glasses and uses contacts (about 4 to 5 years now) and he said he would wear his dailies more then a day. I will let him know to be more careful and only use them daily. Glad you found your mojo and will be making more new videos. I look forward to them.
Yikes. Our eyes are so important - perhaps even the most important of our senses.
I am near-sighted on my right eye; started when I was a teenager. The advantage of that, however, is the fact that I can see very small things extremely well with my "bad" right eye (like, for instance, when having to remove a tiny splinter from a finger).
Caitlin, you seem to be a strong person. I admire you for that. Be well..
Hi, i am battleling with glaucoma since the age of 6; i am 38 now. I have a valve like you in my right eye and it change my life, i'm familiar with what you've been thru.
Wow 6, i just noticed mine im sad im 18 nd damm the pain is maddd
@@tyshawnharris8279 I’m 19 and been told I have mild gluacoma and the pain is annoying but it’ll go away eventually
@@Steven-fz6ib you are really lucky, i lost vision on my left eye
@@tyshawnharris8279 I really don't even know how to explain my own situation now,I know there's a problem with my right eye and have been using medicated lense until I had stroke recently then I noticed it seemed like I can't see out of my right eye and now I'm on drops to bring my eye pressure down I can read things perfectly but bump into things and people in the house and it's disturbing
@@tyshawnharris8279 I have scarring on my left eye
I am also a Glachoma patient and i went through trabeculectomy surgery about five weeks ago. I completely understand from where you came.. I was suffering from that kinda situation about 3 years and i had alot of stress.. May God bless you..
pain ota hy?
@@HamzaBashir12340 surgery se pehle ya surgery k baad ka poch rhy hn?
@@khurramzaman836 dono tim
@@HamzaBashir12340 surgery k baad shuroo me k days me to kaafi pain hota..Aur us se pehle due to difference of sight in both eyes, sar m kaafi dard hota ha...Eye pressure control nahi hota...Aur aaj saal se uper hogya meri surgery ko, itching hoti ha ankh m...
@@khurramzaman836 matlab My Dr ko kahu .mjy Drops ya Tablets hi dey...
My 8 class my tha Jab sfyd motya Diagnose huva tha ..tab se latep use kr ra hun...
aj 6 7 saal baad .. Ankh ka pressure baarh gya h shahid .. Day time ek akh my Blur Vision or Round Lights Nzt ati h
This video has me all freaked out now...I've been fighting dry eye for years now. It comes for several months, leaves for several months, comes back for several months, etc. I definitely blame wearing contacts too long back when I was young.
I am having surgery This Thursday . I have the exact same thing happening to me . I am younger also. You have described my situation to the tee. My pressures were high.i am so SCARED. I am glad to have found you. I now know what to kinda expect💕
How long did recovery last if you don’t mind me asking
The recovery was 2 weeks
.ended up where he built the canal out of my own eye tissue. Surgery went GREAT!!! Pressure down to 14!!!! Sight back to normal after month
Just found your videos. Love listening to you talk. You sound like a terrific person, beautiful inside and out. I'm sorry you had to go through so much with your health. I hope you find peace and relief from everything that ails you.❤
Wow! Thank you for sharing! I just went to my Dr today for my glacoma. I'm 49 have had glaucoma for 2 years now. Today the dr said she believes at some point I will need surgery. Going to try SLA again. Didnt do much before. Most drops I have had alot of reactions to so it's been a pain. I'm praying I dont need surgery. Your story has helped me not feel alone. You're incredibly brave. Thank you again. I'm scared shirtless!
Caitlin you are a super courageous person and I have mountains of respect for you! How ballsy are you, "just take the eye out, it doesn't function correctly so I have no use for it" Waw that's badass as a true warrior right there! Thank for sharing!
Life is crazy indeed and full of challenges. But glad you got a pretty serious situation under control even if this might be something you need to keep an eye on the rest of your life. My dear passed grandmother used to have glaucoma. She was also a keen reader so a big part of her life was missing after she lost her vision so badly that she could not see much. So, do whatever you need to do to keep your pressure under control, Caitlin
Both your eyes are beautiful. Don't loose either one. I hope medical science hurries up and helps in these situations
Thanks for shearing your experience.
I'm on the same tablets, will have to do surgery soon.
Stay positive!!
Had the same surgery. The valve is huge I did'nt no how big it was till my eye lid would not close all the way. And double vision is scary. God bless you.
Dwayne Foster ikr double vision is really trippy... and yes the valve is b i g, I have one in my left eye.
which surgery was it?
Greate video, I'm 34 and I have glaucoma, my father had it too, you are not the only one. yesterday just had SLT laser on my right eye next month is my left. You are so courageous!!!
Thank you for sharing. And Its been 3 yrs. I want to encourage you to keep going on. I am 47 and had the same surgery to save my left eye. I also have enough sight in my right eye to keep on going.
Just came across your TH-cam video.. I have to say I can relate to you. I just had trabeculectomy done 5 days ago, prior to surgery I was on 6 different drops and 2000mg of diamox... literally know everything your feeling, I basically had the same experience as you. My pressure would reach 60 !! Thanks for making a video gained a subscriber
Hello
Please has your sight gotten better
Because someone just got this surgery but still has blurry vision
So glad to see you back, Caitlyn! Wow it has been such a battle as you say. Yet you glow such light (if I can call it that way) after 22:16, it is so inspiring, I wanted to give you a hug right then, hope not sounding creepy. Wishing you much healing and best luck, and much looking forward to your upcoming videos.
Thank you for sharing your compelling story. Youre great at explaining, look forward to watching and hearing your other videos, updates.
Hooboy that is a lot of eye drama! I’m glad the surgery went ok and that you’re doing better. I’ve always had high pressure in one eye (19) and another that has scar tissue, but so far I’ve been lucky and haven’t had to use eye drops or anything. I don’t mind the puffer machine at the doctor’s office, but I dread that field of vision test!
I hope you have a fast recovery :-)
Eye surgery is no joke. Hope all is well. Drinking water with lemon helps recovery, give it a shot :-)
I have worn glasses for 42 years. Never ever wanted contacts. The idea of putting something in my eye really creeps me out. My glasses are just part of who I am. Hope you do regain some sight in your eye, and please wear glasses if the contacts become an issue again.
Thank you very much for this video! My mother is having the same shunt surgery in her right eye later this month. God bless you.
Great to see you again Caitlin . Having had an eye injury years ago I can sorta understand a bit what you go though , cause my problem is still ongoing . I'm hope things are good with you're eye in the future .
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Eye issues. I am in the exact same situation as you are except that I am older than you and in the age group that is prone to this. I have inflammation on Rt eye was treated with steroid drops and shots to no avail and only caused the pressure to go up. Multiple pressure drops like Cosopt, Rhopressa (costs almost $4 for each drop good insurance doesnt cover it), and Travatan on a daily basis after 3 months stopped controlling the pressure. So referred to a Glaucoma specialist and he put me on the Acetazolomide tablet (water depleting ) and that only cut the pressure down by a few points with pressure still in the 30 range. So he has decided that i should go with the Implant the same one you had (aka Ahmad Valve with tube shunt), and will have it next week. After this when things heal have to get the cataract removed and the Inflammation specialist is going to try aggressive steroid treatment. It is not fun living on drops every 2 hours and tablets and Dr visit on a weekly basis. Wondering how did they treat your inflammation?. Any update on your situation will be appreciated and I wish you well and you have many years ahead for you and myt prayers for your recovery.
Hi Caitlin, thank you for sharing, I have a situation very similar to yours, and I am a Tech guy too, Like IT security and so on.. watching out your videos sometimes it like your choices are like I am having the opportunity to see in real, what it could happen to me if I took the same path you already experienced, but I can think twice, paying more attention to those topics as Health, money etc... Really nice hearing from you! Thanks.
So sorry you have had to endure this! Super strong you have had to been! Best of luck, hope it keeps improving!
Helpful yes. Sorry you have to deal with this being so young, not to mention beautiful. Inside and out. I’m 67, dealing with this crap now. Appreciate your insight. Ha in sight. Yea i know what your thinking, this guy has a strange humor. But truthfully I’m appreciative. God bless ❤
In 3 months I'd 3 surgery in my right eye, one because of cataract and 2 because of glaucoma where the doctor put a tube in my eye, and then had to replace it because the first one folded (I'm a lucky guy). I'm a 28m, and it's been tough on me... Today my pressure elevated as well, and tomorrow and I will go to my doc expecting its just my eye healing. Hope you still fine. Thanks, from Portugal.
I know how you feel. I have the same thing in my left eye. My eye doesn't open all the way because of the implant. I have just learned to deal with it. I have a light sensitivity in my left eye also, so working on the computer is a one eyed experience. I feel your pain.
Reading these comments made me so emotional. I have just had the surgery on my right eye 6 months. I am legally blind on my left eye. I have been through a lot after the surgery, severe eye pain, blurry vision, eye pressure shooting way too high or too low to zero. You name it, I have been through it. I have visited Emergency Room four times after the surgery for severe eye pain. I felt so alone because nobody around me could understand what I have been going through. Some days are good and some days are not so good. I am just learning how to leave with it.
Thank you for sharing your story! I recently had eye surgery also, to fix retinal detachment. Had another surgery 5 years ago, for retinal detachment in other eye. I’ll pray for you ❤
Thank you for this video. So many people take their eyes for granted. It’s crazy what we do to our eyes with contacts and videos like this help to educate people. So thank you.
Love your video. I too am suffering from glaucoma. So this video was very helpful. I am an also a stage 4 cancer patient. So I know how u feel when u say bad news seems to never stop.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. God willing you’ll continue to heal well and your condition will become lots more manageable. Glad you’re feeling better.
Caitlin, read up on Bate's method. This has helped me recover my eye sight. I had astigmatism. It's the eye exercises that help your eyes see better, pressure in your eye releases similar to working out other muscles. Just do it a bit after you recover, since you had surgery just recently.
My father nearly has 20/20 at the age of 65 because of this excercise.
Even I saw 2-3 unit improvement in my eye sight.
Another GREAT thing to make your eyesight excellent is bilberry extract capsules. It's natural vitamin. My grandma ate bilberries for years knowing this. At the age of 80 she had better eyesight than my dad. So he started those excercises.
Bilberry and Bate's Method. There is a book on Bate's method. He is a doctor that was shunned by optomitrists, but reality is that it helped thousands already. Even asian practice Qigong has those exercises.
So they work, as long as you do them, and then you retain eyesight for most part.
My dad had -3.5 or -4, and was able to bring it back to -1. That was in like 4 months of excercises.
Bilberry sharpens the vision. I was able to read signs I could not in the past after about 2 months of taking it.
In your case severity will give you results, at the very least making your prescription less magnified. -10 is INSANE, that's bad, plus nearsight. You can change that, definitely helps trying natural methods on top of it.
Eye sight is also problem with blood circulation to the eyes and eye fatigue. Reading too much, and sitting at the computer does that, it strains eyes too much. You are fixated on close object, and that ruins the other spectrum. Looking into the distance and bringing eyes to close objects help heal that. Back and forth kind of thing.
Overall fixable to some extent, as long as you continue doing it.
Arteries and blood flow to the eye is highly important too. As much as lense within your eye (natural lense, not prescription), the crystal within eye structure that calibrates distance and precision. Your natural ability to do so.
Thanks for sharing the information about the bates method there was a guy on TH-cam who his child was all about that I had forgotten about that and the Information about the berries again for sharing highly appreciate it.
UK here! Your story is an exact replica of mine, except I'm blind in my left eye and having Shunt Surgery on Tuesday. Wasn't aware you'd have a bump where you can feel the implant (that made me feel nauseated!) But I have to have both eyes done. Separately of course. The field of vision is a pain, so I go out with a mini white cane and if I bump into anyone, they know why!
I'm 47 so having the surgery done every 5 years is not something I look forward to 😏
Thank you for sharing. I'm actually going through the same.. It has hit me a bit hard to be honest... I'm suppose to have the XEN surgery in a week or so.
Flying and they gym are my only real "happy places"; I understand this is going to be an issue. A good take away from your vid was the time "expectancy" of the procedure. I did not ask about that. Again. thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this informative video.
I also have some eye issues and i appreciate the honest way you told your story. Actually i don't notice anything wrong with your right eye..looks normal to me. Take care and good luck☺
I have glaucoma in both my eyes and I take 4 eye drops everyday for my pressures so I don't go blind. I have had glaucoma since I was nine years old and I've been taking eye drops for 18 years. I also to see my glaucoma specialist a lot.
Glad you're ok Caitlin! Scrolling through some of your videos now that I'm a new subscriber. I have contacts and good to hear on what caused this, more aware and will be taking these out nightly instead of sleeping with it on! As I mentioned in another video, you're very beautiful and smart, a breath of fresh air compared to many other YT tech vlogs! 😀
I was diagnosed with Recurrent Corneal Erosion in my right eye about 5 years ago. If you're not familiar it is failure of the cornea to properly attach. In my case my eye dries and upon waking (mostly) my eyelid will cause my cornea to tear. Yes, it is as painful as it sounds. Keeping my eye properly hydrated, through drops or just overall water intake I have found, is very effective in staving off the injury from returning. A couple weeks ago it did return as I had run out of drops and had to go on erythromycin ointment to stave off infection. So, yes, take care of your eyes.
Hi, I'm happy to see you doing TH-cam video again. Thank you for giving news of your health. Continue like this, do not let go. Peace & love ✌️
Thank you so much for your video ! Jusy like my story .... I dont know any person that has Glaucoma so was important to me to hear you. I wish you all the best !!
Enjoyed your story. Sorry so much has happened to you at Young age. I has Glaucoma, were doing lazer surgery and putting a seed implant instead of night drops. They want to save my eyes.. right one bad.. left one starting... I'm 67 and diabetes is my culprit. And me being non active instead of proactive is how things happened.. best of luck to you. They are always inventing stuff!!
Hi Caitlin... I had Trabeculectomy surgery 2 weeks ago in my left eye (pretty much similar situation like yours)... May god bless with overall good health 😇🙏💫
Great to have you back, I wish you all the best. I look forward to more videos, but remember, no stress.
I stumbled on your video because of the title. I’m sure I’ll be in your shoes in the near future. Good luck to you and the others. I always have to say to myself that at least I’ve got 1 good eye. Funny to hear you say “can’t you just take it out”, I’ve thought that..lol. Cataracts in both, detachment’s in both, Ugg. And now the glaucoma. I may try the implant because Medicare will pay for it but insurance won’t. I’ve learned to live with my droopy eye and I delete all the photos of my black eye if I can’t lighten it up in photoshop. I’m a cook and am constantly telling people not to walk behind me, I have a knife. Good luck to you.
I'm still recovering from a retina tear surgery - had pressure in the eye after the operation and it's taken nearly 3 months for the gas bubble in my eye to dissipate. I now have to wait about a year for a full recovery of vision - currently have some macular puckering meaning if I look only through my left eye at someone they have a really small head! A bit odd but the sight otherwise is normal. Though I've now been told I will have to have my cataract done next year as the blood from the tear in my retina contaminated the lens, and will deteriorate faster! Eyes are a strange thing - I wore contacts 20 years ago, but I got enlarged blood vessels (same as you, too many hours in front of a screen) and finally got lasik 5 years ago - best decision EVER.
This video was worth it = ) i rather googled your name and Eye, instead of asking weird stuff in your chat that you probably answered 300 times already, i am sorry you went through this. but i am happy you are doing as well as you are doing!, fun fact, you were one of the first people i ever watched on twitch years ago! was fun to find your stream again a few weeks ago.
Thanks. You are very brave. I am way older than you and i don't have all your problems. I have glaucoma and was just told that I will be doing that surgery soon. I even did the laser surgery 3 years ago You have such a bubbly personality despite everything.
Glad to hear you are doing better, hope it continues to heal up well!
I wish you well with your eye issues. I use my e-bike a lot ( > 80km per week), and I can't imagine what it would be like to manage busy traffic with one functional eye when going at speeds of near or above 30km/h.
Take care, lass.
Thank you for posting this! I just had the same surgery done, it been under a week - blurry vision in that eye is bugging me. Hoping it will clear up.
How are things with your eye now? I had the same surgery three weeks ago and am experiencing what you are hopefully not any longer.
Wow we have the same exact story except it’s my left eye
My stent surgery is tomorrow wish me luck 🙏🏽 like you I’ve accepted my condition as well I’d rather have one eye then no eyes
Stay blessed hun
I have glaucoma on my left eye and got the xen gel stunt surgery done last week, what type of surgery did you get?
Loved your video I really felt for you I had the exact surgery in my right eye a few days ago along with cataract surgery I’m 30 you look amazing we just have to where it well and preserve what we have left lol I learned a lot from this ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Not many people or docs understand the struggles of painful blind low vision patients and not enough a.d.a. protections other than ssdi
Glad to see you're doing better, and even decided to put it out here. Hope it helps someone in a similar situation.
It`s nice to see you back posting on TH-cam, sorry to hear about your eye problem`s and I hope you fully recover :-)
Thank you for this - one of the only honest and complete accounts of this surgery and experience I could find
Wishing you the best girl. I came came across your profile because of IT stuff but thank you for sharing much more content about life. ❤
Yesterday I was diagnosed with glaucoma. No idea about the severity of this condition. The doctor said "you have glaucoma, I'll give you some eye drops and I'll see you in 40 days." She gave me a referral for some laser treatment and that was it. So here I am searching for as much information as possible to help me through it. I feel drained emotionally. I am 35 with a condition that affects people in their 60s. So depressing. Thanks for sharing your story.
You're not alone. I was diagnosed at 16. I'm 38 now and had shunts put in 4 yrs ago. Now I'm having my cateracts removed and a mew shunt put in my rt eye.
@@DrinkYourNailPolish Hope it goes well for you. Thanks for sharing.
Oh boy, Caitlin! My pressure is about 9 but I have to cope with double vision in my right eye. And it shows up at night while I drive, so at times, I close my right eye, so to keep my vision straight. Now I'm in search of a Glaucoma double vision specialist so to correct it. Oh boy! I'm 73 but I really need to get my double vision corrected. Any ideas?? Thanks for your video, though! You've been an inspiration to me. God bless, Caitlin!