Alan’s story

If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, don’t fret. It’s a very slow-moving disease, so trust the experts to advise you. Make sure you follow the treatment plan and see it as a challenge – it’s not all bad!

My glaucoma diagnosis came as a surprise in 1996. I was referred to a hospital consultant after an eye test at my local optician’s. I was told I had open-angle glaucoma in my right eye and, unfortunately, that meant I had to give up driving. I had just one week to return my licence to the DVLA and stop driving. At the time, I was driving for work, so I had to find another job within a week – which I managed to do. From then on, I took the bus to commute to work.

From an early age, I remember never being able to see through both eyes. My left eye was removed when I was one year old, but I lived a completely normal life, just like all my friends. I had motorbikes and cars and even drove larger vehicles. In 1992, I passed the advanced driving test, to become a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). I took the test to prove that I was a competent driver. I had a few different jobs during my working life, but I spent most of in sales. 

My current glaucoma treatment involves eye drops, but I’ve also had laser treatment to open up the tear duct for improved drainage and also had a new lens fitted. I was at Hillingdon hospital for several years, but now I’m being looked after at Northampton General. Despite some delays in appointments due to challenges in the healthcare system, it hasn’t affected my vision.

If I could give one piece of advice about glaucoma, it would be to get your eyes checked every year, so it doesn’t creep up on you without any obvious signs. I didn’t know much about glaucoma before my diagnosis, but I  soon found out that it was affecting my vision without me noticing.

I first heard about Glaucoma UK when I picked up a leaflet at my first hospital visit, and I’ve been a member ever since. Their magazine keeps me up to date on new developments in treatment and research. Through their membership magazine, I’ve learnt a lot more about the disease. My father may have had glaucoma too, but because he had dementia, he wasn’t able to tell us. Since glaucoma runs in families, I’ve made sure my two daughters and three grandchildren get their eyes tested every year.

If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, don’t fret. It’s a very slow-moving disease, so trust the experts to advise you. Make sure you follow the treatment plan and see it as a challenge – it’s not all bad!

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