Iritis, Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Dry Eye

In February 2020, my left eye started bothering me on a Friday. I thought it was an infection.

Rapid decrease in eye quality

By Sunday, I couldn't tolerate any lights on in the house and was wearing a visor.

On Monday, I called an eye specialist for an appointment. I wore my darkest sunglasses and a visor and closed my eyes when I could. The doctor diagnosed me with iritis, which is an inflammation of the iris.

He gave me steroid eye drops and an appointment a week later. After several days, the light sensitivity faded.

Multiple eye conditions and surgery

At my follow-up appointment, the doctor found I had developed glaucoma as a result of the steroid drops. He switched me to over the counter drops. When I saw him a month later, there was little improvement in the glaucoma. I was using drops every 3-4 hours.

I was sent to a glaucoma specialist who also determined that my cataracts had advanced.

In August, I had cataract surgery on both eyes. A glaucoma stent was placed in my left eye, but the applicator would not release and it had to be removed.

It is now July 2021. I still have dry eyes and use my eye drops, but my glaucoma has improved.

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