Has anyone information about Flammer syndrome? I have frequent disc haemorrhages, low BMI, low B/P and Raynaud's.

[muddledme]

Normal Tension Glaucoma , does extra Magnesium help ?

I am due to have a Trabeculectomy (Covid permitting) in a few weeks.I was diagnosed in 2016 and am on Lumigan and Simbrinza drops. Both Laser treatments lasted about 6 months. Any tips on helping to avoid complications of surgery would be greatly appreciated please?

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello. I can't really help with the information on Flammers syndrome apart from it is an altered reaction of the blood vessels to situations such as cold or emotional stress. Raynaud's is also a condition which affects the blood flow to some extremities of the body. The cause of normal tension glaucoma is unclear but one theory is an irregular involvement of the blood vessels to the eye which can affect the optic nerve. Usually the eye pressure needs to be reduced considerably to help stabilise the glaucoma.A trabeculectomy operation does this beautifully.

Tips on how to avoid complications are:

Following surgery you will be given eye drops to take home with you to use. These will be antibiotic drops and an anti inflammatory drops to help prevent infection and inflammation. Make sure that you don't forget to do these drops as they are to be put in your eyes 2 hourly and 4 hourly. The timings of them will reduce slowly over the weeks. Be sure to wash your hands before putting your drops in.

It is advisable to not have your head lower than your heart for any length of time.

When washing your hair avoid shampoo and water getting into your eyes by washing your hair with your head in a backward position.

Avoid wearing make up for a month and use new products when you are advised by your eye doctor that you can resume.

You should avoid strenuous activities during the first few weeks.

We do have a booklet on trabeculectomy on our website and we do a buddy system, so if you would like to speak to someone who has already had the operation we can put you in touch with them. Please call our Helpline if you decide you would like to do this.

[muddledme in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you so much for all the information. I have found all your back copies of the Glaucoma magazine also very useful. The "Buddie" scheme sounds good , I will phone and enquire.

On various websites Magnesium is mentioned as improving blood flow. I have just started taking a low dose to boost what I would have in the diet. I take Calcium on it's own for Osteoporosis , so the Magnesium is supposed to be taken at half the dose of Calcium, maybe helping bones and eyes !

At least if Covid stops the operation then Magnesium may keep things stable.

The consultant has altered the Simbrinza in the right eye( due for the operation) to Dorzolamide as he says it is less likely to cause inflammation pre op although he said the pressure may rise , I suppose it is a bit of a juggling act.