Hi Jon - thanks for that, but mine was an emergency caused by drops to dilate my pupils for examination - I suffered an "Angle Closure Glaucoma" attack. I've never had glaucoma, and have had the drops before with no ill effects, but apparently with age, there is increased risk.
Apparently a Glaucoma attack can cause lasting damage, but if treated soon enough, that can be avoided - and I seem to have got myself to A&E quickly enough for it to be treated in time. The laser surgery to cut holes to reduce the pressure in the eye seems to have worked a treat - the hospital pulled out all the stops to get me treated ASAP - ambulance with flashing blue lights, consultants called from their beds and golf courses to get me sorted, and, though I've got a check-up tomorrow morning, I can at least see well enough to create logos and silhouettes, so that ain't bad!
The treatment was deeply unpleasant (I don't think I had any anaesthetic), but never actually very painful (unlike the attack itself, which was agony at least as bad as an abcess), and you can tolerate quite a lot when you think that the alternative is to lose your sight. It does help concentrate the mind! The "fireworks" while the laser was firing were actually quite pretty! So don't worry about the laser treatment - it sounds like it's nothing worse that you've been through already.
If I can't drive, I can't work, so here's hoping the check-up goes OK!
Rod
