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Dear Agnes,

I am trying right now to get a feel of my pressure by just touchng the eyes with my index fingers. I can tell if it's high or low but I would like to become very accurate with the help of a tonometer. Which one do you recommend and what the difference in mg with for example a Goldman, Thanks.

There was an interesting article on BBC today about recent advances in neuroprotection for glaucoma. Here are some highlights from the article:

Lead researcher Dr Stefano Bonini said: "Although neuroprotection in glaucoma has already been attempted with several compounds, this is the first time that an improvement in visual function is observed in patients with advanced optic nerve damage."

David Wright, chief executive of the International Glaucoma Association, warned against drawing firm conclusions from such a small study - but said the results were encouraging.

He said: "There have been many false dawns in the search for neuro-protective agents for the treatment of glaucoma and it is a feature of research on other compounds that early promise does not always translate into clinical effectiveness when larger studies are undertaken.

"However, this research would seem to indicate both effectiveness and acceptability as to the means of drug delivery.

"If these early indications are carried through to wider trials and there are no other problems, then this has the potential to open a completely new method of treating glaucoma and of preventing unnecessary visual loss in the future."

A new type of medicated eye drop may be able to reverse symptoms of glaucoma, an Italian study has suggested.

Lets hope this pans out. Here is the full article..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8180992.stm

Hi,
I just found your blog -- it is quite interesting. I have pigmentary glaucoma diagnosed ten years ago.

I read your posts on weight lifting. I understand that the bench press was implicated for some as correlated with an IOP spike. My question is... what about an INCLINE or STANDING press, where the head is well above horizontal? Does that also cause an IOP rise or not?

Thank you,
DB

Hi,
I just found your blog -- it is quite interesting. I have pigmentary glaucoma diagnosed ten years ago.

Here is my second question: Are there any accurate HOME tonometers out there that don't cost a fortune?

Thank you,
DB

Hi All

I had a small positive change in my IOPs recently (by ca. -1 to -2 points). Also I had some slight pain under the eyebrows which is now gone. Also the tongue picture (TCM view) had improved. I attribute these positive changes to the following triggers:

- another change in dietary habits: removing heating spices (ginger, garlic, clover and cinnamon)

- practicing Serene Impulse for 3 months now, and adding the modification of the technique to specifically target the IOP

Question: Can pushing on the eyeball shortly before getting a goldmann reading give a lower than normal pressure reading?

Dennis

I just read this news item:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8172690.stm

There is no doubt using a sunbed or sunlamp will raise the risk of skin cancer, say international experts.

Previously, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) assessed sunbeds and sunlamps as "probably carcinogenic to humans".

But it now says their use is definitively "carcinogenic to humans".

I don't know if this has been previously discussed, but I thought I would post it just in case it wasn't..

From a 1985 study..

When THE NECK IS TIGHT,THE MUSCLES ARE FIRING ACROSS THE VAGUS NERVE THROWING THE CELIAC GANGLION (WHICH DOMINATES THE DIAPHRAGM) AND MAY PUT IT INTO SPASM.  

A SIGNIFICANT SIGN OF THIS IS THE INABILITY TO  ABDOMINAL OR BELLY BREATHE.  MANY PEOPLE ARE LIMITED TO CHEST BREATHING, WHICH  DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OXYGEN TO THE HEART AND BRAIN.  I HAVE SEEN THIS REPEATEDLY IN BELLY OR SIDE SLEEPERS.  

Many people with vision problems are eagerly awaiting better computer monitors. The ideal monitor would be based on reflective technology (meaning it doesn't emit light), allowing you to read it in normal daylight or even bright sunlight. Ebook readers generally use this technology, but computer monitors do not.

I have read articles on bed and pillow elevation and have slightly raised the head of my bed accordingly. However, I was wondering if there is a preferred sleep position regarding IOPs? I have a habit of sleeping on my stomach and then twisting my neck so that my head lays sideways on the pillow (not face down etc). However, after reading articles regarding how neck pressure from tight collars can elevate IOP, I wonder if this position with neck twisted might not do the same.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the leading cause for developing Glaucoma, a vision impairment that can lead to partial or full vision loss. Studies made in recent years have shown a significant increase in pressure within the eye when weightlifting or performing isometric exercise. This leads to the question: Can weightlifting lead to eye problems?

Simply going for a walk three or more times a week may be all you need to protect against glaucoma progression.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with glaucoma, you undoubtedly want to do everything you can to be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. As part of that, you may wonder whether changes in your overall lifestyle, including changes in the amount or type of exercise you get, may help control the disease.

One of the best doctors ever referred to me was Dr. Kirk H Packo, a retina specialist  from Illinois Retina Associates at Rush Unversity Hospital.  He has saved many eyes. I got his name from a friend of mine who was having a hole in the central part of her vision. She did not have macular degeneration or glaucoma but some other eye problems can't remember what exactly.  Now her eye is fine.  You can read about Dr.

2 years ago I made the bad decision to go see him.  Not only I waited for 3 hours for my appointment but as a new patient he did not even care for doing a full exam.  He just measured my pressure.  Also he has an attitude problem.  He also became very  sarcasticcally nasty when I mentioned alternative medicines. 

Does anyone here go to Dr Krupin in Chicago?  He was recommended highly to me by Dr Robert Ritch in NYC.  I've been going to Dr Todd Perkins at U of Wi Hospitals & Clinics in Madison, Wi, but have become very disillusioned with him.

Pam