From what I understand,the eye condition of Gluacoma is mostly hereditary(?).
A friend of mine was treated for Lyme years ago.She claims to be on the up and up.That is good,but we know the importance of maintenance.
All of a sudden,she is now having eye problems.The Dr.said it was Gluacoma,the type that is not treated w/ eye drops.
I was wondering if anyone has heard of any other Lyme folks developing Gluacoma later on and not having it their immediate family history.
Thanks for the help.Any articles papers to send her way,specific w/ this condition related to Lyme.
Posted by am36 (Member # 9409) on :
I don't know how much help I'm going to be, other than to add a "me too".
In my case, the glaucoma was brought out by steroids, HOWEVER, the doctor feels that probably I am predisposed to glaucoma for some unexplained reason.
As my screen name, I am 36, with no family history other than a grandfather who also had diabetes and developed glaucoma in his old age.
I googled glaucoma and lyme a few weeks ago, but didn't find a connection. Lots of association between lyme and cataracts and other eye ailments, but didn't come across anything on glaucoma.
I hopefully have the kind that is treatable with drops, I am using xalatan drops.
Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :
When I'm herxing or my symptoms are at peak levels I have difficulty focusing with my eyes. They actally change thoughout the day. I'll put my contacts in and my left eye will still be out of focus. I've learned now that its not the contacts. Then a couple of hours later my left eye will be fine and my right eye will be having focusing problems. I've actually had it go on for weeks at a time and its very frustrating.
Recently I took my son to the eye doctor but she didn't know anything at all about lyme so she couldn't answer any of my questions. I'm sure this is typical. Anyone know a lyme literate eye doctor?
Posted by liz28 (Member # 4946) on :
This is not in the same category as what your friend has experienced, but I did start having trouble with focus after being on longterm antibiotics. I just started taking a carotenoid complex with lutein.
Posted by minoucat (Member # 5175) on :
I had a lot of vision problems with LD/Co, but not glaucoma.
A literature search indicates that glaucoma-like sx and other eye problems are strongly associated with bartonella; other eye problems (but not so much glaucoma) are associated with Bb, and with quinine toxicity from babesia tx. All the reports are of current infections; don't know about how well one heals post-tx (but my eye problems are mostly gone, except when I'm very tired and the floaters come back). It may also be that these diseases increase any genetic pre-disposition to developing glaucoma.
On a personal note -- I'm very suspicious of "cure". That's just me, as a very long-term lymie who followed some disasterous treatment protocols in the early days that really complicate my recovery (of which I've had several, but none sustained for more than a year -- prior to vigorous coinfection tx). In the absence of a family history of glaucoma, I'd be pretty nervous about a relapse/reinfection even if I felt fine otherwise.
Best of luck to your friend.
Posted by shadow13 (Member # 1467) on :
I also have glaucoma which was diagnosed after Lyme disease. And no one on either side of my family has it. Mine is "open-angle" and can be treated by drops.
Because I also have brain swelling and have to take drugs to keep that in check, my LLMD would like my eye pressures to be much lower than my eye doc feels is necessary.
Is there any part of the body that Lyme does not invade???
Deb
Posted by 3greatkids (Member # 3838) on :
Thank you all for the feedback.
I will send this along.
W/ her history and maybe having a co- infection,this info is valuable.
Now, that I have teens,I see double and red,not Lyme related.I have had changes w/ the eyes too.My clock has looked like the Dali clock many mornings.
Thank you so very much for the help.Ah,life w/ Lyme,never a dull moment.Better days ahead for all of us.