Light at the end of the tunnel

[Eahldt]

I've been waiting to post about my recent experiences until I could say don't be disheartened when reading this as my experience isn't typical and does have a good outcome so I hope others will find something to help them.

I've known for many years I have glaucoma in my right eye, have lost quite a lot of sight, had a trabeculectomy in 2015, cataract removal in 2018 (both very straightforward) and still put in drops.

I have however always considered my left I to be good with no signs of sight loss so was very surprised to be told in February that I should have a trabeculectomy in that eye. This was done two weeks later. After a week I was told that the pressure was too low and the anterior chamber needed to be reinflated which involved another theatre visit.

After that procedure I could hardly see out of my left eye because the existing cataract had suddenly become worse. The consultant recommended a general anaesthetic as he didn't think another local would be good for my eye so I waited three weeks for the cataract operation. That was the worst time as I had to rely on the poor sight in my right eye and was badly affected by light (at a time when every day was bright and sunny with no tree shade!). I couldn't watch tv and reading was hard even on my iPad so I listened to a lot of audio books and made a lot of phone calls.

After the cataract operation I couldn't see particularly well but that was partly because of the inflammation and bruising as a result of all the surgery. Also my eyesight needed to stabilise and I had stitches in my eye which weren't removed until 8 weeks after the cataract operation.

On the positive side I had very little pain or even irritation although obviously my eye didn't feel normal for a long time. My consultant was brilliant throughout but unfortunately left just after removing the stitches. Yesterday I saw the lead glaucoma consultant who is equally brilliant- young, dynamic, caring, committed to the NHS, good interpersonal skills. I just hope he stays.

My pressures are now 11 and 12 which he said should mean there is no further damage if they remain stable. (The pressure in my right eye has gone down from around 19 with no further intervention. (Recent research suggests the brain is involved in equalising pressure.) My optician can't issue a final prescription yet as my sight is still settling down but I have new glasses for distance which enable me to drive after weeks of being driven everywhere by my husband. I've just taken the DVLA test and am waiting for the result. Fingers crossed it will be ok.

If you've made it to the end of this long post I hope you've found something to help and reassure you that light does come from darkness, literally. Any questions, please ask. Your posts have helped me through a difficult time so I hope I can help you.

[Lovemy2woofs]

You have certainly been on a journey . Wishing you all the best in your recovery and hoping everything now stabilises for you and fingers crossed that you are going to be back driving again soon x

[Hidden]

It took you a long and difficult road to get there but you have in the end. Your post was really inspiring and I am so pleased for you. Both your old and new consultants sound exactly what we all need. Fingers crossed for your DVLA test result.

I found what you said about the brain equalising the pressure really interesting.

All the best.

[Ktpink]

Thank you for sharing, you are an inspiration. I wish you all the best for the dvla test xo

[Lindfieldtommy]

What a long and difficult journey you have been on and I cannot imagine the worry it must have caused you at times, but it is so pleasing and inspirational to hear how it has turned out. Good luck for the future and the DVLA test.

[Beecalmed]

Lovely to have a positive outcome story. Hope your positive progress continues. My medical license comes up for renewal this year. It is very nerve wracking waiting isn’t it? Anyway thank you for sharing your story it has given me optimism! 🙂

[Decorator123]

Thank you for writing this and posting it fingers crossed with your driving

[Astilbe]

Thank you for posting your experience. You have helped me. I had a Presserflo device implanted nearly 3 months ago and it has only been recently that my vision has improved from seeing double. I had dissolvable stitches and they took a long time to dissolve apparently. I was told that stitches can distort the shape of your eyeball and so affect vision. I hope that on my next appointment in 2 weeks time I will be able to read further on my eyesight test. I haven't had another field test yet, I already know that I have gaps in it so am hoping that this operation halts that decline. I am not due another DVLA test until the end of next year. It is reassuring to hear about good outcomes as well, it is all worry for so many of us with glaucoma. I have had it for over 20 years.

[Eahldt in reply to Astilbe]

I hope you make further good progress. It can be a long road but the future in terms of treatment to halt further deterioration looks bright.

[Hidden]

Thank you very much for your post it has given me some hope after 3 weeks of disappointing news. I too have poor vision in one eye so can relate to what you went through (although I had tube shunts) as after the sutures dissolved my pressure went too low in my good eye and it went very blurry so now I can't drive either. I had my third round of injections today and was really down in the dumps on the bus ride home because it's just more of the same and like you I listen to a lot of audiobooks. The really annoying thing for me is my bad eye is co-operating fine the pressure went from 19 to 11 but good eye is still very low but yeah hopefully the brain can equalize mine also. Anyway thanks again this post has lifted me when I needed it. 🤞for your DVLA results from me also 🌞

[Eahldt in reply to Hidden]

I hope you make good progress. It can be a long road but the future looks bright in terms of treatments to prevent further deterioration.

[camonline486 in reply to Hidden]

Hi sguy, what a time you are having, I do feel for you. Remember there is always someone here to listen to you. All the best!

[Hidden]

Thanks, I hope so too but am also prepared for a few more rounds of injections. My consultant said that it can be stopped and I choose to believe that. I also believe a cure will be achieved sooner than expected.

[camonline486]

Really encouraging and hopeful! Thank you so much for sharing. All the best!

[Ilovecake-]

I’m so pleased your future is looking brighter and sounds very promising. It’s uncanny how my glaucoma is so very similar to yours .My right eye is deteriorating and my left is steady my pressures need to be 11 or 12 and I had a failed trabeculectomy and shortly due to have the Presser flow shunt op and I had cataracts removed in both eyes , so I am praying for a positive result.

[Eahldt in reply to Ilovecake-]

Good luck for your forthcoming operation.

[Hidden]

Such an inspirational journey. You have gave us lots of positive hope. Hope everything goes well with your driving. Take care and keep in touch xx

[Eahldt in reply to Hidden]

Thinking of you too as I know you find the situation difficult. I hope sharing positive experiences helps. x

[floki7]

Wow what a journey ! Wish you all the best for your DVLA result, if its not good news you can appeal, and apparently quite a few appeals are successful. Best wishes.

[Sunshine88888888]

Yes amazing journey! Such an inspiration, thank you so much sharing, gives us all hope which we so need. Hope all continues to go well and you get good news from the DVLA. Take care x

[Alprof in reply to Sunshine88888888]

Thanks for sharing your story with us.