Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: Joyce on February 03, 2013, 02:10:25 PM
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Hubby, who is in his late 50's, announces this morning he needs an eye test. Fine says I, phone and make an appointment, which he did. He wears glasses for distance but until now has never needed for reading. He says he can't see properly out of one of his eyes when he's reading. I immediately said that he probaly needs reading glasses. But I got " Oh no I don't think that's the problem!" So I enquired as to what he thought it was. He was being a bit funny about it and I repeated my question. He says he thinks he's got what his dad had, which was age related Macular disease. I still say it's probably because he needs glasses for reading. At which point he starts raising his voice, saying I don't understand. I said I did, but that until it's checked out he was being rather dramatic. I got, "I'm getting old, it's got to start somewhere." True but just because he can't read clearly, doesn't necessarily mean he's in danger of going blind, at least not yet anyway. He's says everything is cloudy in one eye, could be glaucoma, could be something, could be nothing. He nearly hit the roof at me. He can see the television well enough and can see me it's just print that's the problem.
I'm not insenstive, but feel that he rather barked at me, or maybe I'm too sensitive to how he spoke to me. It may well be Macular disease and I said to just to wait and see. However considering, the amount of time he spends researching on the computer for work related stuff and preparing notes etc for work, it may well be eye strain. I said if it turned out to be Macular disease he'd have to declare it as far as driving is concerned as they may not allow him to keep his license. I was told that I would have to deal with it! What?????? I think both of us would have to deal with it. He's got an appointment for next weekend to have his eyes tested.
If it is something more serious, should he be getting checked out more quickly? I accept that he is worried but I'm feeling rather upset at how he spoke to me as it is out of character. He seldom gets rattled with me, work yes,.
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He is obviously upset and worried about it CG and its you that's closest and so you got it with both barrels.
He has seen this before with his dad and that's probably why he is so upset and hiding behind bad temper.
I will admit the fact he has one cloudy eye would say it needs checking out now.
I would wait for his appointment next week because if you fuss he will worry more.
Men are terrible about admitting anything so perhaps he has had it for a while and this is the first you are hearing about it.
Don't let him barking at you upset you too much. He could have been bottling this up for a while.
Honeyb
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I agree he is scared thats why he hit out, it has nothing to do with you cubagirl, its just the way some men cope with it. Give him a cuddle and just say we will sort it out.
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He's probably really scared and as Honeybun says has been bottling it up for some while. My mother-in-law has macular disease and it is horrible to see her struggling. Her symptoms were not blurred vision though - more that part of the central vision was missing. She also found that straight lines appeared wavy. Could it be a cataract?
Hopefully it is just a case of needing reading glasses!
Taz x
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Men ::) ....... wait until he's had the appt.. Then let him tell you what he has been told and what the advice is. He's a Big Boy now ::) and certainly, what you describe is unlikely to be macular degeneration. But if his Dad had it then he needs to get his eyes checked anyway, my Mum has it and I was told it isn't hereditary.
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Oh I know, age old story of always hurting the one you're with. Just spoken to him about it. It's only been noticeable in the last 10-14 days. He's just finished marking over 300 exam papers in that time. Says his periphery vision seems clearest. I'm not going to push him about seeing about it sooner, unless it deteriorates rapidly between now and then.
I've always been a sensitive wee soul. Hubby is usually the calm one. I was really trying to do likewise with him, not fretting, but he took it the wrong way.
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Hi Cubagirl. My Mum has macular degeneration and because it is in my family my optician checks my eyes for any sign of it at each eye test. Do you think your hubby has mentioned it in the past to his optician? In which case he will already have been checked for it and presumably it would be in the very early stages if it was that. Hope all goes well at his check up. x
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I have had eye problems over the last 10 years and I think if he is at all worried (and by the sound of it he is) then get it checked out sooner rather than later. It may be nothing but eye strain but best to get it checked soon.
Bramble
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My mum had macular degeneration but it wasn't picked up at first as it was hidden under cataracts. She saw straight lines as wavy, and people's faces as distorted.
The important thing is that your husband has a thorough check -up and tells the optician his family history.
I'm of the opinion that everyone should have their eyes checked regularly, regardless of age and whether they need glasses.
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The new eye tests now they take a picture of your eyes
After eye tests etc they then look at the pictures
They can see Mac Gen Glaucoma Cataracts even thikning of veins there andf then you can see them too
I was freaked out but seeing your eyes is really cool especially when they say everything abso 150% eyes of a 40 year old even though I wear glasses to read and 30% time for TV sometimes my eyes go bleary
Theres nothing to say to him he probably was unreasonable but then FEAR is and late 50s is the new late 40s
He may have abso nogthing wrong but fears a horrible thing fingers crossed its just bleary eyes xxxxxxx
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He was watching TV fine last night, but you know the ticker tape bit on news progs, well he said he can see it, but it's hazy. His dad was almost 80 when optician found out why he couldn't see properly. He was always banging into things. Maybe someone can tell me, if it was macular disease, would it not affect all his vision, not just reading? I told hubby he was too young. Of course none of us is getting any younger, but I always associated it with older people.
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There are always exceptions to "rules" regarding age. Again, to cite my parents: my dad had a stroke at 50 --younger than average-- my mum went through the meno at 38 - younger than average-- and she developed ulcerative colitis in her seventies- much older than average!
She developed the cataracts and macular degeneration in her sixties. It affected her central vision which was distorted at first and eventually she lost all but her peripheral vision. All she could see centrally was a black dot. Yes, it affected all her vision, not just her reading. I believe the degeneration could have been slowed down, if not stopped,had it been picked up earlier, but the cataracts she had masked it so it only came to light after they had been removed.
My optician said we're all destined to get cataracts. :(
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You do have fighting chance in preventing cataracts, my optician told me.
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/cataracts.htm
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It affected her central vision which was distorted at first and eventually she lost all but her peripheral vision.
Hubby says peripheral vision is better than central in left eye. He's only noticed in last couple of weeks, though not sure the degeneration can be stopped if it's macular disease.
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RNIB has a lot of info http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/conditionsac/Pages/amd.aspx
Taz x
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Thanks for that link Taz. It does sound like that may be what it is right enough. However, shall see come weekend.
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Could be just eye strain though. Will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Taz x :hug:
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I'm crossing mine too. Will let you know what happens.
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Big Hugs xxxxxxxx
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As someone who's gone through 2 cataract ops and a further laser treatment to "tidy up" one of the cataract ops AND will need one more op later this year to make sure everything it well and truly sorted AS WELL AS seeing my Mum have an op to repair a macular hole and 2 cataract ops I can well understand why your hubby is having a bit of a hissy fit. For me there is nothing more terrifying that not being able to see. I got to the point where I was so afraid that I was almost physically sick
He does need to see his optician even if it's just to put his mind at rest as it could be any of a number of things from simple tiredness as you say he has been working very hard to maybe the start of cataracts. Cataracts are easily sorted, macular holes can be repaired if caught soon enough and even (I understand) macular degeneration can be helped. So as someone else said give him a hug and just listen and make sure he keep his appointment. xx
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I'm going with him on Sunday for his appointment. He says he hasn't noticed last few days, but he hasn't had his nose buried in a book during that time, just pure teaching.
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A Sunday appt. ? ???
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Yep. Our optician is open for short time on a Sunday. Hubby can't manage during the week and they had nothing on Saturday.
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That's really useful, what I would consider Good Service! Fitting in with what the public requires :medal: required I think!
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I wish GPs were like that! Everything is a seven day a week service now except GP surgeries.
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Very true BOB. Good to see you again by the way! :). Our GP surgery used to do Saturday morning surgeries, which was handy especially when many employers create a stink if their employees need to take time off to go to their doctors. I even remember going to dentist many years ago on a Saturday. Now you have to go to NHS 24 if it's an emergency. GPs used to come out during the night too. Might not have been your own one, but someone else from the surgery. Always felt better to see a well known face when very ill. I think Boots do weekend drop in clinics in some areas at weekends but I may be mistaken.
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Cubagirl. It could be visual migraines, they don't always have pain. It could be mac degeneration, he should really be taking Macushield to prevent it, it could we be eye strain, or the start of cataracts. I work in an opticians and we do retinal photos, it's amazing stuff. Is there any diabetes in his family?
Eddie. X
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His cousin has type 2 diabetes. Only found this out after our son developed Addison's. It appears that hubby's mum's side had endocrine problems. However it was his dad who developed age related macular disease. Will know soon, hopefully.
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Hubby had eye test this morning. Good news is it's not macular disease, he's too young for that anyway. What he has is fluid build up behind the lens of his left eye. It's something which is quite common in 20-40 year olds. They don't know the cause and it clears up on it's own. However he has to go back on Tues to have his pupils dilated and optician will check to make sure there is nothing else causing the problem. Optician doesn't think it's anything sinister, but just making sure.
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Thanks for letting us know. He will need someone to drive him home as I think that drops are dipped into the eye?
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Yup CLKD. You're not supposed to drive for 3-4 hrs, but the drops may affect everyone differently. I would still ask about I-caps or Macushield which can prevent GMD, slow down the disease and there are claims that it improved vision in people with it.
Pleased to hear there is nothing major going on. Eddie. Xx
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I'm doing the driving. Optician will advise us further regarding prevention of macular disease, I'm sure, if he feels it necessary.
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Good news CG.
I bet he feels much more relaxed about the whole thing now.
My hubby gets this kind of eye test every year as he is diabetic.
Sometimes it really bothers him and others less so. It all depends on how bright a day it is. Bright light is painful and he needs Sun glasses.....driving would not be an option. It wears off quickly though.
Honeyb
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Sunglasses really are necessary, even with you doing the driving
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I find my vision is blurred for hours after these tests but it depends on the amount of drops put in. I agree with the sunglasses idea. It is amazing how much even a little light can hurt.
Taz x
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I had it done a number of years ago. I'd forgotten about the sunglasses though, thanks for reminding me. 8)
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Hubby to be referred to eye hospital. Dilation showed up what might be a retinal fold. Optician phoning hospital to try and get hubby an asap referral. So we're not sure what will transpire. Not serious, but need to make sure it's not masking something else.
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At least he is getting prompt follow up treatment!
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Yes optician is on the ball.
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That must be a great relief!xx
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Hospital phoned. He has emergency appointment on Tuesday afternoon. May be a long afternoon as they are going to do various tests.
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That's good. Get him there, get the testing over with, Job Done - treatment if required ........ how does he feel now?
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Not letting it bother him, that's normal for him. We'll deal with whatever transpires. He wants me to just drop him off then pick him up later. I will see, it will depend on parking. It is notoriously hard to park at our hospital.
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.. park at our Hospital: and ours and at Addenbrookes and at QE II, King's Lynn .......... and the charges :o ::)
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Hopefully the retina can be tacked back with the laser. I've had a partially detached retina that healed. In any case hope it is sorted soon.
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Lots of scans done. Nothing too serious. Something called the viscose is pulling on the retina of his left eye. It will either get better on it's own or it will deteriorate, possibly over a number of years, to the point that an op will be necessary. Recovery would involve lying constantly on his front post op for two weeks. They are going to monitor it. Next appointment in 3 months, unless it gets worse in the meantime. They were impressed optician picked up on the problem.
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So you have time to consider, if push comes to shove, what the most comfortable type of bed would be for lying still for 2 weeks. Maybe ask a physio or someone who does relaxation. Some beds have a place for the patient's head which is cut out so that they can lay looking downwards which means positioning a mirror underneath, angled so that they can watch TV. Going to the loo will be difficult :o :-\ as would sneezing .......... oh errrr .......
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When the time comes, if ever, I'm hoping they will guide us. Can't imagine hubby will take that option unless desperate. He had the heeby-jeebies just thinking about it yesterday. We will see how bit goes in the meantime.
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Really impressed with your optician, hope your hubby feels brighter in himself.
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Yes he is brighter. We were having a laugh eventually, totally at his expense. DD phoned to find out the results as she was concerned it could have been very early signs of stroke. She was winding her dad up something terrible. Hospital said it was far too early to operate as it often clears up on it's own. They don't know what causes this condition and it's not age related either.
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Glad they are waiting to see how it progresses before they decide what to do.
Lying on your front for two weeks would be a challenge but as they will have done it all before they will have the after care down to a fine art.
Here's hoping it will not come to that.
Honeyb
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Well hubby had follow up appointment and it appears that his eye has fixed itself. However, consultant he saw yesterday says that what he now thinks he is suffering from is ocular migraines. Hubby fessed up about his diet, though doubt he mentioned my nagging him! So hubby has to cut out tea, coffee, cheese & chocolate. Not sure how he's going to cope. He's not going to stop altogether, but cut down. Maybe I will get my slimmer hubby back one day. Do you think it will solve the grumpiness though? ;D ;D ;D
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:o a man on a diet = grumpyness ;D
At least the condition cleared spontaneously without surgical intervention
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He has been trying to cut back a bit since we came back from DD's. He was quite capable of eating whole bag of midget gems in a day, that was until I told him the number of calories, never mind all the other stuff. Half a days calories per bag! He needs to lose quite a bit. Like about 4 stones.
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My man has just lost four stone! Took almost a year and life was very boring (for him) but he set his mind to it and it worked.
Taz x
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DH is losing weight. He's cut out alcohol ...........
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My hubbies diet is strictly controlled because of his diabetes. It was difficult to start with but we got there and now have it down to a fine art.
He was never over weight anyway but ate what he wanted. He lost a lot of weight just before he was diagnosed but is now back to what he was.
He does not have a huge appetite anyway and likes the food he has to eat so it's quite easy for him.
It's when he has a dip, the easiest and fastest way to fix things is sugar. Not the greatest way to deal with things but when a hypo threatens there is no choice.
Honeyb
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Do you carry small packets of drink, i.e. orange juice: Mars bars: bananas?
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I am a walking emergency shop ;D
I always have snacks, bananas,lucozade, and the good old standby dextrose tablets.
I have a very large bag.
Come to me if you need a snack....always well prepared.
On a more serious note. It's the only way I can cope. If I know I have the means to help then I feel better. Most of the time none of it is ever needed but it's better to be prepared.
Honeyb
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Think I'd be the same HB. Better safe than sorry.
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HB - that's how I am when we go on holiday - lots of extras - in case. In the Winter we have hot water bottles, blankets, flasks of soup - never been required: yet ;)