The optic nerve heads or discs in my eyes are larger than normal. The central part of the nerve head has a depression, referred to as a cup and large optic discs typically have larger cupping because of the absence of
axons in the middle of the disc as the neurons leave the retina in the larger rim tissue of larger discs.
With me so far? Good.
Now, this is significant because this situation can apparently make opticians suspect the presence of glaucoma and then they refer you to the local ophthalmology department for further investigation. In my case, I then attend the hospital every six or twelve months for a couple or three years and am then discharged because I don't have glaucoma.
This has been happening to me for the past twenty years but, as no-one had explained the process to me until my latest appointment on Thursday, I just thought that each time I was referred, it was because the condition had worsened, although never enough for me to be prescribed medication. This time, however, the nice lady doctor did explain what had been happening. If the pressure readings are above a certain level at the optician's, he automatically refers me to hospital and round we go again.
"I might as well keep seeing you," she said, "because if I discharge you, the optician will only refer you back again. So I'll see you every 12 to 18 months and if you get fed up with that, just let us know and I'll discharge you again. But at least, if you keep coming and you do develop glaucoma, we will pick it up very early."
OK, fair enough - I suppose...
