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[14_50]

Hi, I was diagnosed 9 weeks ago and have had two appointments. Diagnosis: left eye glaucomatous optic neuropathy, cataracts 3+ on both eyes and astigmatism on right eye. I’ve been using Monopost for 8 weeks and pressure has come down from16 on both eyes to 13 on L and 11 on R eye. Consultant is pleased but wants pressure down more. He concerned about my L optic nerve. He’s suggested cataract surgery on both eyes and MIGS on L with an i stent and a toric lens on right eye for astigmatism.

I’m self funding but want to know if anyone has has experience of i stents or a toric lens - apparently they can rotate. I’m trying not to be worried but I should let consultant know my way forward soon and then find out the cost!

Thanks

[Jennymary]

Hi, can't advise on surgery options, as I've never had either procedure, but I've lived with glaucoma all my life and it hadn't stopped me living a full life, so long as you remember to put your drops in (if you're on drops) if you click on my avatar and go through my posts you'll find me full Glaucoma history, which may or may not help you, good luck with everything

[14_50 in reply to Jennymary]

Thanks JennyMary. Im 71 so it’s reassuring - I’ll just carry on doing what I’ve always done. I’m getting used to the drops.

[nat10]

Hi, I had an istent in December 20, will find out more information at my appointment next week as on last appointment 9wks ago pressures will still raised, also had a trab op on other eye, so happy to answer any questions on those 2operations. But I would say I would be happy with those readings after 8wks on drops.

[14_50 in reply to nat10]

Hi, thanks for your reply- did you feel anything of istent after the op. Mines being done at the same time as cataract procedure?

[nat10 in reply to 14_50]

After the op had to stay on steroids a little longer as my eye was still sore and inflamed, and now I have my normal eye drops and eye drops for dry eye, sometimes it feels as if you can feel them but I think it’s just dry eye symptoms. When are you having your op?

[14_50 in reply to nat10]

I don’t have a date yet but I’d think within the next 4 weeks. Has it helped the pressure in your pressure fall and if so by how much?

[nat10 in reply to 14_50]

At my last appointment pressure was still higher than before op, but I was still on the steroid drops, back next week to see if it pressures have fallen.

[14_50 in reply to nat10]

I hope the pressure is lower for you. I thought an istent was meant to help lower pressure?? Was that your impression? Are steroid drops to help stop infection?

[nat10 in reply to 14_50]

My understanding of an istent is if successful will lower pressure slightly, not as much as a trab, steroid drops are given afterwards for the inflammation, but these can increase pressure. I was told would not get an idea if it had worked until after 2 weeks stopping the steroid drops. I was also on antibiotic drops to help stop infection, so you will be on lots of drops afterwards.

[14_50 in reply to nat10]

What I didn’t ask the consultant was whether he expected my pressure to fall more on drops over time. In your experience is it likely to? I now am not sure whether I want the istent - post op with all those drops seems a lot of effort! I know he’s worried about my thinning optic nerve. His secretary said if I wanted to ask any more questions it would mean a £200 zoom or phone call.

[nat10 in reply to 14_50]

My pressures dropped initially ,not sure of exact times as it was over 10 years ago that I diagnosed, don’t think I made it clear about drops post op, but I took antibiotics for 4 weeks and steroids for 6weeks, but your consultant may do things differently.

[14_50 in reply to nat10]

Thanks for clarification

[Jennymary in reply to nat10]

Based on my limited knowledge, you could be a Steroid Responder, as I am, when I have the misfortune to need steroid eye drops, my pressure goes sky-high, I usually need about 3 different glaucoma drops to counteract side effects of steroids, I'm currently on one drop twice daily both eyes, don't want to scare anyone but at one time a couple of years ago when I was on steroid drops I had 5 glaucoma drops putting a total of 12 drops into the affected eye each day, I rarely got up finish the course as pressures were so high, I've also needed water tablets as well in addition to the drops

[14_50 in reply to Jennymary]

That sounds horrendous. Was this after an istent/ cataract surgery/ other??

[Jennymary in reply to 14_50]

Yes, it was horrendous, it was after successful cataract surgery I ended up having 3 cornea oedema or as I was told at my last hospital appt the same one flared up 3 times and as each one was treated with steroids it's ended up wrecking the optic nerve and now I have no vision in the eye where I had successful cataract surgery

[14_50 in reply to Jennymary]

Oh I’m so sorry. I do think you were very unlucky though. We’re all different so I’m hoping it won’t happen to me. Are you able to drive. At what stage in glaucoma do you have to notify DVLA ?

[Jennymary in reply to 14_50]

Yes, I was unlucky, but having lived with glaucoma all my life I've known I could lose my vision, and due to what happened I've had to give up driving, due to the level of vision in my other eye I'm now registered blind

[nat10 in reply to Jennymary]

Could be as did go high when on them after trab op. Last appointment I was still on steroids so I am hopeful that the pressure will be lower at follow up appointment this week, I’m currently still on 2 drops twice a day, and one once a day plus dry eye drops, but only in one eye.

[14_50 in reply to nat10]

Thanks for your reply. I really don’t want to be on endless drops. My eyes are so watery. Good luck with this weeks appointment.