My grandfather was diagnosed with glaucoma when I was 8 years old. For most of my life, however, the term glaucoma was foreign to me. My grandfather’s disease was always described as “high eye pressure.” Childhood visits to India included accompanying him to the renowned Aravind Eye Hospital, which is located not far from our local village. Despite having advanced vision loss at the time of his diagnosis, my grandfather was able to retain useful vision until his death with medical and surgical interventions 1

-Loka Thangamathesvaran, MD

I was diagnosed with glaucoma in June 2022, and my first reaction was sheer panic. I assumed I’d lose my sight. COVID-19 had already disrupted care, and appointments kept getting cancelled. When I finally saw a consultant, I left with more questions than answers.I didn’t have a family history and barely understood the condition.

My glaucoma was first spotted during a routine eye check-up. That scan changed everything. And here’s what I’d say to anyone reading this:

Don’t skip your eye exams. Don’t panic if you’re diagnosed. And don’t wait passively—follow up, ask questions, and stay informed. That’s what helped me most.

-A Patient’s Journey

Trabeculectomy Surgery³

A 52 year old woman presented with high intraocular pressure in right eye following prolonged use of steroid drops for red eye. There was damage to the optic nerve in the right eye but vision was preserved Despite 4 eye drops, the eye pressure could not be controlled and a diagnosis of steroid induced glaucoma (uncontrolled on maximal medical management) was made. A Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C surgey was done and the eye pressures reduced to normal levels without the need for further anti-glaucoma eyedrops. The vision of the patient could be saved.

I Panicked When I Heard theWord Glaucoma2

Igor Leal came to the U.S. from Brazil at 21 to coach soccer and study music. A routine contact lens check changed everything—it’s when he was diagnosed with glaucoma.

Neither Igor nor his family knew much about glaucoma.Today, eye drops keep Igor’s pressure stable, though he has lost some visual field. Still, he’s grateful: he can drive, perform, and keep writing music.

He now uses his voice—and his music—to spread awareness. He’s even hosted benefit shows to raise funds for research.“My goal is to let people know about glaucoma,” he says. “This disease doesn’t stop you from doing big things.”And with Igor, you believe it.

- Igor’s Story

Reference:

  1. https://glaucomatoday.com/articles/2022-mar-apr/glaucoma-in-india-personal-and-broader-impacts#:~:text=My%20grandfather%20was%20di agnosed%20with,me%20to%20consider%20several%20questions:
  2. https://glaucoma.uk/stories/rachels-story-2/
  3. https://drdigvijaysingh.com/success-stories/glaucoma/
  4. https://glaucoma.org/articles/personal-story-igor-leal