Hi,

I went to the optometrist 3 weeks ago due to what felt like strained
eye muscles and he measured my iop at 19, which he said was at the high
end of the normal range.  I was at the time tapering off prednisone for
my Crohn's Disease.  More recently I went to an opthamologist who
measured my iop at 25 in my left eye and did the field test and was
told there may be some damage in my left eye as per field test results,
she says I am a suspect for early glaucoma (I think she listed it as
OAGUS, whatever that is).  She wants me to take Travatan drops.  During
the past 3 weeks I've been having headaches in my temples and eyes.
The doctor however says that it's a coincidence and has no bearing on
my iop.  I'm quite freaked out about this.  I have such a hard time
believing there is no relation between my eye pain which brought me to
the doctor, and this glaucoma diagnosis.  And why would I get glaucoma
at age 40?  I'm speculating that maybe it's due to a year ago I lifted
weights one day and it resulted in a 6 week headache, I must have been
breathing wrong.  Or maybe a few weeks ago my son poked me in the eye,
but I don't think it hurt too bad after a day.  I'm just wondering what
the heck is going on and if I'm likely to go blind or otherwise begin
on a road of problems with my eyes/health/vision, etc.  Having had
Crohn's Disease since age 14, with the medicines and surgeries that it
entails, I just don't know if I can cope with a whole new disease,
while trying to hold down my job and raise my kids.  I'm completely
ignorant about glaucoma, eyes, and so on, this is just brand new to me.
I'm contemplating whether to touch base with Jules Stein or one of the
other top rated vision centers.  Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark