Area Woman Finds Relief After UH Ophthalmologist Diagnoses Rare Glaucoma

Jenny Eisenberger, 32, of Bath, Ohio, learned that she had glaucoma from a routine eye exam. Glaucoma often does not cause discomfort, pain or other symptoms that are noticed by a patient. In that way, it is a “silent” disease.

Her optician noted elevated pressure in her eyes, a telltale sign of glaucoma, and he recommended that she visit an ophthalmologist, an eye specialist.

In glaucoma, the eyes’ drainage channels do not work properly, allowing fluid build-up to create high pressure which can irreversibly damage the sensitive optic nerve. If not treated, patients could lose vision and even go blind.

Eisenberger, who is a stay-at-home mom with a 6-year-old daughter, made an appointment with an ophthalmologist and discovered she had a rarer type of glaucoma called narrow angle glaucoma. But the story does not stop there.

New Exam Reveals Even Rarer Eye Disease

In January 2014, she underwent an iridotomy, a laser procedure where a single hole is made in each iris. It provided help, but only temporarily because her pressures became elevated again.

This time she was referred to Douglas Rhee, MD, Director of University Hospitals Eye Institute and a leading authority on glaucoma.

During his exam, Dr. Rhee detected that Eisenberger had a more aggressive and ever rarer form of glaucoma called plateau iris syndrome. Years earlier, Dr. Rhee had discovered that this syndrome is an inherited disease, although in Eisenberger’s case, she doesn’t recall a family member having it.

“It is a form of glaucoma that many eye doctors do not come across,” said Dr. Rhee. “Luckily, for Ms. Eisenberger, it is a condition that I’ve studied and was familiar with.”

“In general, it is managed the same way as other glaucomas, except for an additional procedure called laser iridoplasty,” said Dr. Rhee.

Another Procedure and Continued Monitoring

Iridoplasty uses a laser to alter the iris and make the drain of the eye less narrow. Eisenberger had the procedure done in both eyes in May 2015 and is doing well.

“Her long-term outlook is guarded, but with close follow up we hope she will have a good course,” said Dr. Rhee.

“Truth is, I'm very scared,” she said, “but I know as long as I keep up with my appointments this will be easier to control.”

She sees Dr. Rhee every three months for monitoring and her eye pressures and vision have been good.

Eisenberger, who formerly worked as a medical assistant at University Hospitals for four years, also contends with several other conditions, such as migraines, dizziness and a neurological condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS – another rare disease). Finding the proper diagnosis and care for her eye condition has given a great sense of relief.

“I'm very lucky to have Dr. Rhee as my doctor,” she said. “To know that he’s got experience with this type of glaucoma and that he’s studied it is quite comforting. I am so happy that my journey brought me to him.”

About Glaucoma

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 40 percent increase. Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40 percent of vision can be lost without a person noticing. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness.