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What Are The Chances Of Forming Glaucoma In A Person With Anxiety Disorder?

Posted on Wed, 10 Feb 2016

Question: Hi there - I am a huge sufferer of anxiety and today I went for a regular eye exam and everything was ok...my pressures were 17,18,19,20...which the dr said was fine. She also did a scan of my retina and said that my nerves look ok and the one has a slight cupping of around 0.4....which she also didnt seem concerned about. Being an anxiety sufferer this has all made me very very nervous and she said for piece of mind I could take another test to look at the whole nerve and maybe it would give me some relief....she said I could do this anytime in the next year..I believe it is anOCT Scan I am currently booed into have this thursday. She said the scan can come back as good,flagged or if something is wonge. She said if it flagged we can monitor it or go to an opthmolgist who would possibly prescribe drops Am I at danger of glaucoma based on this ...I am a 37 year old woman and am nearsighted ...my prescription is around a -1.25.....I can't get it out of my head that I am goin gto go blind and I am a photographer and my eyes are my life:

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cupping ratio and intra ocular pressure are normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Though I am a radiologist now but I have also done my residency in ophthalmology earlier.

I don't think there are any reasons to be worried about.
You have normal findings.Cupping ratio and intra ocular pressure are normal.
0.4 cupping ratio is normal.
There are many symptoms and simple tests available which may indicate glaucomatous changes.All values indicate normal findings.
There is no need to evaluate whole optic nerve.
Intra ocular part of optic nerve may be evaluated easily and this is normal.

You can go for OCT Scan for some more detailed evaluation.

In short,you can go for follow up but there is nothing serious.Findings doesn't indicate proneness to glaucoma.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (13 hours later)

I am scheduled to go for an OCT test tomorrow just to be precautious and I think my eye dr knows I am overly anxious and is doing it to calm me.....is this a good idea...Im afraid the test will flag something and make me worry more....my pressures have ranged from 17-20 for the past 7 years, we checked my history....she also said my nerves are slightly off one measures .4 and the other.35...is this normal and does this make me prone to glaucoma...would glaucoma be rare for someone my age?y2010
by the way ....thank you so much for your time...

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Cupping ratio and intra ocular pressure are normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

You shouldn't worry at all.I am sure that OCT findings will also be normal.
Cupping ratio is normal,there is nothing to be worried about.
Intra ocular pressure is also normal.

Different types of glaucoma may occur in different age groups.Though it is more common after 40 years of age,it may occur at any age.Glaucoma is seen even in infants and it is called as infantile glaucoma.

You should go for further tests without being much anxious.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (2 hours later)

Thank you! So it doesn't matter that my nerves are slightly assymetrical? Is this a risk factor. At what pressure do you get concerned about? My grandmother had glaucoma but well into her 70's. I think my anxiety is making this worse for me. I will go for the oct scan but can I stop being so concerned? Thank you so much for your time.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Intra ocular pressure above 21 mm Hg may be a risk factor.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late

Ratio may vary,still it is within normal limit.
Intra ocular pressure above 21 mm Hg may be a risk factor.
You can go for OCT scan,it will evaluate optic nerve area more clearly.
Please don't be so worried,most likely your eyes are fine.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

thank you for your help:)

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your comments.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for your comments.

Get well soon.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj