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Today's measurements were all taken with the Reichert NCT II. They are all means (averages). For each IOP exam, at each of the 5 times reported in the table below, multiple measurements were taken for each eye. The table below shows 5 IOP values for each eye (for a total of 10 IOP values). These values actually consist of the means of 31 individual IOP measurements. The individual measurements are not shown (in order to make the presentation of the data clearer).

Here are today's IOP values. For a period of time, I will simply work with the experts to understand the process and the instruments. The more interesting things will begin once we have the procedures down pat.

Today is the beginning of my effort to really understand my IOP. You will begin to see daily reports of my IOP values now. I may have to miss some days due to special circumstances, but my plan is to have my IOP measured every day -- usually multiple times per day.

I went to my ophthalmologist today convinced that my IOP would be lower than it was on my last visit. After all, my IOP has been trending downward since my first visit to the ophthalmologist. I assumed all the good nutrition and health practices I have been doing are responsible for this positive trend and I'm still doing all those good things. Furthermore, I have engaged in a much more ambitious program for improving my vision and the health of my eyes these last few months.

Welcome. I am one of several glaucoma patients who maintain a blog at FitEyes.com. My blog is my personal story of my own adventures with elevated intraocular pressure. Please consider joining us by starting your own blog here. And everyone is welcome to post questions at any time in the FitEyes forums.

All registered users (registration is 100% free) of FitEyes.com can publish content on this site. Please visit all the blogs and forums at FitEyes.com. While great for freedom of expression, this also means that anything you read here should not be trusted for making medical decisions without checking with your doctor.

As I mentioned in a prior post, my IOP seems to have been trending downward consistently. The only question in regard to that trend was the last IOP check at an altitude of 8000 feet above sea level. Most of my IOP measurements were done at sea level.

I returned to my ophthalmologist just after the holidays. He prescribed homeopathic phosphorus and some energized water.

These are my HRT results from 2-January-2006. Look for my next HRT results around the end of January 2007.

This test was performed with an HRT-II. The HRT is a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (also called scanning laser tomograph). It is made by Heidelberg Engineering, a German company.

These are my one-year follow up visual field test results. These tests are only the 2nd time I have had the visual field test peformed. The first tests were done on September 8, 2004.

Left eye

This eye exam was performed at an elevation of about 8000 feet using Goldman tonometry. At 8000 feet elevation, normal intraocular pressures are about 21, I'm told.

My IOP values are:

Left 19; Right 17

I'm not completely sure, but it seems like the downward trend in my IOP is continuing. This is also the first time my right IOP has been lower than the left. I'm also on vacation, and that might have something to do with the IOP values.

Upon today's visit to my ophthalmologist, my IOP values were:

Left 18; Right 18

Wow! My IOP has decreased each and every visit to my ophthalmologist. This is a good trend.

 My ophthalmologist checked my IOP today with his Goldman tonometer. The results were:

Left 20; Right 20

 Here are my GDx results for today. At this time I cannot obtain these GDx results in color.

Left eye 

I'm posting my visual field test results. This was the first time I've had a visual field test done and I did not enjoy it at all. The test is a bit long (about 10 minutes per eye) and boring, but the worst part is that the test reminds me how much damage has been done to my optic nerve. During the test, when I don't see any lights for a long time with my right eye, I know I'm not performing well. It's just no fun. However, I shouldn't complain because the test is not painful at all and there are a lot worse things I could have to suffer though than this!

Due to the optic nerve damage I have already suffered, I must control my intraocular pressure (IOP) very well -- and allopathic medicine has the most effective tools for doing so. Of course, I'll still seek out any knowledge about lifestyle factors that could benefit glaucoma and lower my IOP. Like so many others, I have a health condition that doesn't have any easy answer.

I have been using Xalatan for two weeks. Today I returned for a follow-up visit with my primary ophthalmologist. At the last visit, my IOP values were:

Left 34; Right 48

Today's IOP values (using Goldman Tonometry) were:

Left 21; Right 22

I also received a diagnosis:

Pigmentary glaucoma (noted Krukenberg's spindle); scotoma (an area of decreased or loss of vision).

It is still very hot where I live, and the doctor still doesn't use the air conditioning in her office. In spite of the discomfort, I returned for another visit.

We reviewed  all my lab tests, but she mostly focused on lifestyle factors. I have a lot of respect for that approach.

Today I had a telephone consultation with another member of my medical team, an ophthalmologist who is the current President of the Alternative Medicine association (since 1996) for his country. He has been in private practice since 1978. 

Today was my first visit with a physician in my area who practices conventional and holistic medicine. My main reason for seeing her was to see if she had any advice regarding alternative treatments for glaucoma. She gave me a complete physical and sent me to the lab for blood and urine profiles. She wanted to check my kidney function because, in her view, the health of the kidneys influences the health of the eyes.