Glaucoma surgery / laser treatment

[lswk]

Dear all,

As a follow-up of my last post.

healthunlocked.com/iga-uk/p...

I visited my ophthalmologist on yesterday to discuss the surgery option.

1. Trabeculectomy: the gold standard, traditional surgey, which he thinks can offer the best result.

2. iStent - he advises Trabectome is not available under the NHS trust providing care to me. There is a surgery option 'iStent' that is less invasive.

After some discussion about the risk and benefits, I opted to go for a laser treatment first (SLT). While the doctor advised it will likely be less effective than surgery, I thought there is no harm to try the SLT first and see the effect.

I understand in curent time of COVID-19, non urgent surgery is suspended or delay, so I have no idea when a laser treatment or Trabeculectomy can be scheduled.

To certain extent I am a bit scared by idea of surgery, so I wanted to seek way to avoid/defer it. On the other hand, my decision can lead to late treatment in case the SLT is not responsive (it needs to wait for SLT, then another 8 weeks to review if it is effective. And only then to have the Trabeculectomy/iStent scheduled if needed).

May I check if anyone in this forum has been undergoing glaucoma surgery/laster treatment recently, so I have a rough idea about the elapsed time it may take on my journey.

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Lexie959]

Hi

I was diagnosed with glaucoma in my mid fifties, a couple of years ago and went straight for laser surgery. I should say that I was fortunate enough to have this done privately using savings. Like you, I was a bit worried about eye surgery but please let me reassure you that is nothing to be afraid of. My eyes were numbed with drops and I didn't feel any real pain at any point. The consultant pulsed shots of light into each eye say, 12 to 15 times ( it was a while ago so I can't remember exactly). These felt hard - but definitely not painful - and sounded noisy. I think my head was resting on the usual bit of apparatus and I had to keep still. Towards the end, my head did start to hurt a little bit just like a minor headache. The consultant had warned me about this. It lasted for 3 hours or so into the afternoon but that was it. I was in and out of the hospital in about half an hour ,

The SLT lowered my eye pressure very effectively but , unfortunately, it was short lived. The consultant told me that most people got at least two years out of the procedure. He said he had one patient who had it done 9 years ago and his eye pressure was still fine but I think he was a bit of an outlier! My eye pressure was already starting to rise after 8 months and I was on drops after 16 months. I was just unlucky.

I don't regret having it done as it enabled me to forget all the problem and get on with my life.

I'm having similar problems to you with delays due to the covid 19 pandemic. Broke (destroyed!) my glasses, went to the optician who unexpectedly told me my eye pressure is rising and I need to see the consultant. Well, my hospital wasn't doing routine appointments last time they were in touch so I'm not sure what to do now. You are not alone....

I hope this helps

Lexie

[lswk in reply to Lexie959]

Dear Lexie959, thanks for sharing your experience of SLT. This is very helpful.

To be honest I think the laser treatment is safe and I am not quite worried about it. My concern is more on the Trabeculectomy surgery.

I wish you could get your appointment and checking as soon as possible. From my experience one need to keep asking for the best arrangement if he/she does think the situation requires attention.

If it is relevant, try getting the phone number of the doctor's secretary if possible, which enable a direct conversation to someone who can talk to the doctor to arrange a schedule for you.