THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA THINKS MY HUSBAND IS A FREAK OF NATURE
Posted by Karen on Jul 26 2007
Not only that, but several years ago, I had to draw blood from him to help prove their theory!
The reason is this….About 14 years ago, Mike went in for a routine eye exam to get a prescription for glasses. The puff test to screen for glaucoma came back weird so he was sent to an ophthalmologist. They diagnosed him with increased intra-occular pressure–basically a precursor to glaucoma. After questioning the family, it’s no wonder this came up. Mike’s father, grandfather, uncles, aunts, sisters, and brother all have increased eye pressure. There was such a strong family connection, that the University of Iowa wanted to have all of their blood drawn to test for a genetic marker. We never did find out the results of this study, but that wouldn’t change the life we’re living now anyway.
It’s a life of frequent eye exams and eye drops. It’s a life that included a laser surgery to correct high pressures in one eye and then an urgent trabeculectomy after the laser surgery didn’t work. It’s a life that now includes taking the kids in for eye exams as both of them have increased pressures. From the looks of it (no pun intended), glaucoma is not a diagnosis that will escape them.
The good news is early diagnosis and intervention has helped to prevent blindness and disability. Right now, it’s the best we can hope for as there is no definitive cure.
Because this is a disease that has so closely affected my family, I was excited to see Tish and Mike at BlogsWeLuv choose the Glaucoma Foundation as their charity for the upcoming Blogathon2007. Swing by their site, especially this link, and find out more about glaucoma, how it has affected their family, and how you can donate to the cause. As an added incentive, they’re giving away an Amazon.com gift card to one lucky person!
My husband may be a freak, but probably not because he has glaucoma. (wink) Here he is showing off the “bleb” that was created to control the pressure in his left eye.
on 26 Jul 2007 at 8:54 am 1 reba said …
my cousin has increased eye pressure due to being kicked hard in the eye (don’t ask although it is a funny funny story) a few years ago. she is on a regular regimine of drops and has had a few procedures done to keep the pressure down. i didn’t click on the trabeculectomy because if its what i think it is i can’t bear to see another pic of it. her pressure is down enough now that its not neccessary but it will be the next set if it goes back up. and of course she will end up with glacoma, something we all need to be more aware of.
PS sorry your hubby is a freak
on 26 Jul 2007 at 10:04 am 2 Mary said …
Here I thought it was going to be that the University of Iowa thought he was a freak because of all the OSU stuff he wears.
That is a freaky picture!
on 26 Jul 2007 at 12:40 pm 3 Awesome Mom said …
Will he for sure go blind?
on 26 Jul 2007 at 1:49 pm 4 Mike said …
i always knew that picture would come back to haunt me!
on 26 Jul 2007 at 2:42 pm 5 Mike said …
Thanks for helping spread the word, Karen! I hope you’ll consider stopping by to say hello during the Blogathon
on 26 Jul 2007 at 6:08 pm 6 Tish said …
Hi, Karen! Thanks so much for spreading the word about our cause! I hope your husband’s treatments go well and that his eyesight stays intact.
As you know, I was diagnosed with glaucoma 8 years ago, and it’s a pain to go through all the medications and doctor appointments, but it’s nice to have been diagnosed early and before any real damage had been done.
So glad that the docs are keeping a close watch on your hubby and kids. I’m sure everything will turn out great! Best of luck to you!
on 26 Jul 2007 at 9:41 pm 7 Shauna said …
You’re so positive. I love that about your blog. Best of luck to your husband and your kids through this. What a good thing that you all caught it early!
on 15 Sep 2007 at 8:16 pm 8 THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA THINKS MY HUSBAND IS A FREAK OF NATURE | Lasik Eye Surgery said …
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