I’ve lived with glaucoma since I was 13. I’ve known since I was a kid that this disease doesn’t just affect older people. I’m now legally blind because of it. And honestly, I didn’t always take it seriously. I wasn’t consistent with my eye drops, and I didn’t understand how fast things could change.
I live with the consequences every day.
And now, I find out my ten year old daughter has glaucoma as well.
she came with me to a routine eye appointment. I never expected anything to come of it. But the doctor explained to me that since I had it early on it’s very possible for her to have it too. He asked if I could let him check her pressure with a handheld device just to see. I was shocked to be honest because what doctor would want to check someone that’s not a patient. I never seen it before. But that was GOD and he said her pressure was high.
He told me to get her registered because when I came back for my next visit, she needed a full exam .
That appointment was yesterday.
And just like that, it was confirmed she has glaucoma at 10.
I thank God that we caught it early. There’s no damage to her optic nerves at this point, and we’ve already started her on drops. But I was flooded with emotions – sadness, guilt, even anger. The only thing my dad ever gave me was this disease and now I’ve passed it to MY daughter.
I pray my sons don’t have it too.
What I can do is stop the cycle. I can take it seriously. I can speak up. I can raise awareness because if doctor Hardin didn’t check her we wouldn’t have known so soon.
Glaucoma isn’t just an “old people” disease. It’s sneaky. It runs in families. And it can take you or your child’s vision before you even know it’s there.
If you or someone in your family has glaucoma, please don’t wait. Get your children screened. That simple check could save their sight and save you from living with the “what ifs.”
In my next post, I’ll share what it was like being diagnosed with glaucoma at 13, how it affected my life, and what I wish I had known sooner.
We’re learning, we’re adjusting, and I’m sharing every step.
Stepping out of my quiet, introverted shell to tell this story wasn’t easy but if it helps even one family take action, it’s all worth it.
