Hello, I am fairly new to glaucoma but have already come to the conclusion that there seems to be a lot of time between hospital appointments. After original diagnosis and then followup to check the drops were working I didn't see the consultant for another 18 months and that was because my optician referred me as my eye pressures were high again. This means that I went possibly a year between my annual optician appointments with high pressures.
Because of this I am interested in buying some equipment I can use at home to regularly measure my own eye pressure due to the risk of having high pressure undiagnosed between appointments.
Am I worrying to much and can anybody recommend any tonometer equipment?
Thanks
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Quantam
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Hi I asked the same question around 2 weeks ago... the administrator replied to me valfrance. please read the answer it was very informative. I want to do the same thing, as the worry over pressure and what is happening to you is immense till the next appointment.. However, there seems to be many tonnometers out there for home use and they are extremely expensive. for peace of mind, i dont care what i pay (within reason), the main answer is reviews which one to buy. no one replied really on anyone using one and which one to choose. Fortunately I live in France and when they said to me check up in 6 months time as said i was not comfortable waiting that long, the stress would be too great... and i insisted on at least every 3 months minimum...we cannot go to specsavers to get our eyes tested... we have to go to an opthalmogist... If i were you I would book an appointment at least every 3 months with specasavers, just tell them you want a pressure test and pay for it. The machines cost thousands... take care valfrance
Thanks Valfrance that sounds like a useful backup plan getting pressures etc done every three months at specsavers.Then being referred by them if there are problems. I may ask the consultant when I get the followup appointment for my new beta blocker eyedrops about recommended tonometer products. I see prices around the £2,500 mark but as you say it is a lot of cash to layout if it isn't a reliable product.
Being UK I would have thought Eye pressure testing would be normal part of every day life, why isn't it?Surely they have enough qualified eye professionals around. Thankfully I am very lucky to have 2 Eye doctors standing by and I have my Eye examination every month to monitor closely..
Hi Quantum, you say your are new to glaucoma so am i. I had high pressure for 2 years controlled by monoprost and i took that once a day at night. in january my pressure went up to 28 in each eye. Then went on to 2 medications. I have opened angled glaucoma. The opthalmogist was not happy with the reduction with the 2 drugs and then wanted me to go on a beta blocker i had previously tried. In february i had SLT laser in my eyes to create holes in my tubes enabling my eyes to drain... hopefully. my next appointment is mid april around 6 weeks after the procedure. It usually has a high success rate and can last between 2-4 years, you can have it done 4 times. What I am trying to say is a 'virgin' eye that has never received these further strong drugs like beta blockers has a better chance for this SLT. Not every specialist recommends it as if it does not work then the patient is dissapointed and blames them. (this is from research that I discovered).
I went to a sympathetic surgeon in Monaco, and when I told her an opthalmogist wanted me to go on a beta blocker that I had tried before and it gave me a severe anxiety, she immediately said have the SLT done and hopefully it will work. Enabling me to go on either 1 drug again monoprost or keep on alphagan and monoprost (i can handle this however not the beta blockers)... in conclusion virgin eyes react better if you have SLT and if you can get it before the long road of very strong drugs, I would recommend talking to your specialist. valeriefrance
Thanks again for that, I wasn't given a reason for being prescribed timolol but I reckon due to covid etc they haven't got time to try other drugs and so are hitting it hard maybe? I didn't realise it was such a harsh drug. How long after taking it did you get anxiety?
I guess it depends on the person i am a worrier and the glaucoma news was a shock. . My anxiety started within 2 days never had it in my life. Maybe its just me however there are side effects with all the drugs. Valfrance
Whichever eye medication you are taking make sure it Is "WITHOUT BAK"...... which is damaging to the corneal surface for long term use.....and it is preservative free..Good morning from Thailand.
Hi there, just noticed your post. I’ve been thinking of buying a home tonometer too as recently unstable pressure worrying me. I mentioned at hospital looking for some advice and they have loaned me one as they are keen to see if I am having spikes through the day. Only thing is I don’t have the software so I can’t see the measurement. It is stored and then downloaded at the clinic next time I’m there. If I bought one obviously I would be able to have the software. To be honest I’m struggling to use it, can’t always get a measurement, finding it difficult.
Hello, thanks for replying, I decided to go to specsavers to check my pressures if I am concerned they maybe high or if I think the drops are not working which is much quicker than waiting for a hospital appointment it is only £35 for a full eye checkup on including eye pressure /Oct scans and field test.I had one yesterday and it showed my pressures down from 27 in each eye down to 20 & 22 so it seems the addition of a betablocker has made a big difference! Also my field test checked out as normal and no further damage to my optic nerve so I can stop worrying for a while it seems.
It's great to see so many comments. Reassuring to know that other 'glaucomites' worry about eye pressure in between appointments. If only Specsavers would allow us to just pop in solely to measure eye pressure. It doesn't take more than a minute. But NO! They want you to go through the whole deal and spend £35. I want weekly feedback. That would cost £140 per month or £420 for three months in between appointments. Way too much! Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Try a private local optician - explain the situation and see if you can strike a deal where you go in once a month or at whatever regular times you want, and pay a certain amount. Specsavers aren't independent thinkers and just go by the rules!
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Also my field test checked out as normal and no further damage to my optic nerve so I can stop worrying for a while it seems. 
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