Pressure testing before surgery.

[muddledme]

Interested to hear comments about patients not having their eye pressures checked prior to surgery.

I had aqueous shunts in both eyes for normal tension glaucoma.

At the first operation the anaesthetist asked me my pressures as he had some difficulty putting the anaesthetic fluid around the eye, which apparently can mean it is raised.

Luckily I had the same anaesthetist for the second eye a few months later, so I told him about the problem before and he thanked me and used a different method. This was more comfortable.

I had asked the consultant my pressures pre op but he said that he did not usually do them then. Next time I see him I will tell him about the anaesthetic.

So I wonder if this may help someone else pre surgery.

I also noticed that as soon as I had a bit of sensation returning to the eye at the end of suturing the surgeon put in some more drops which seemed to work instantly......so do ask if you start to feel uncomfortable.

Best wishes

[Hidden]

I had Selective Laser Treatment on Tuesday but they never done my pressures before that and I did wonder why but never asked. I know it’s not surgery though

[valfrance in reply to Hidden]

Hi Julie, I had my pressure taken before my slt and they also checked my sight for distance and reading... it would make sense they see what pressure you are at before the slt and then a few weeks later... then when i went for the 2nd slt in my other eye, they again checked my pressure and my eye sight again... then when i went back in 5 weeks they checked it all again.... maybe different in france... valfrance

[Hidden in reply to valfrance]

I had eye test but not pressure check done.

[Longwalks3]

I have had quite a lot of surgical procedures (5) this year but in my case they were because the pressure was too low as my aqueous shunt was leaking. I think they could tell just by looking at it that this was the case so they didnt need to measure! I had the most lovely anaesthetist for my last two ops who was so careful and considerate. For most of the procedures I just had anaesthetic drops in my eye but for the last one when they took the shunt out I had a nerve block injection. This was absolutely wonderful - I didnt feel a thing and was so much more relaxed during surgery! I did have a lot of bruising from the injection but it faded quite quickly and was well worth it in my book. I am now 6 weeks post shunt removal and waiting for a follow up appointment to see what is happening to the pressure in my right eye. I am expecting it to have gone up significantly and that I will have to resume Tiopex drops. Does anyone else find these dry their eyes out? I really struggle with very dry eyes and am just about tolerating it in y left eye as long as I do hot compresses and use loads of dry eye drops.

[muddledme in reply to Longwalks3]

Hello Longwalks, sorry to hear about all your operations following the aqueous shunt implant.

I assume the pressure was too low almost immediately following surgery.

My first shunt implant was also the first for the surgeon, so I am very lucky they both seem fine. No one yet knows about these devices long term though ,but there is on going research.

Perhaps they will give you an alternative to Tiopex drops eventually. I had so many eye drops that I could not tolerate or were ineffective. Ended up with Simbrinza which caused sore, red eyes but did help for a while. They do seem to be producing more presevative free drops at last.

Since the shunt ops my eyes are also dry, although have been better in this humid weather.

The surgeon says it is probably because they are draining more fluid .

Someone on this site mentioned' Theoloz Duo eye gel 0.4 g per unit dose preservative free'

The GP prescribed it and it is a little better for me than Hyabak drops.( I use both)

The Theoloz Duo seem like ordinary drops, not gel, but they are very useful little individual containers to carry around.

Being outdoors helps my dry eyes and limiting screen time, although TV is O.K with me.

Have you asked the Glaucoma UK healthline about dry eyes? I found them helpful. They also do digital webinars about dry eyes which may be still available . Soon they have two more webinars about dry eyes and you usually have a chance to ask questions.

Do make sure they invite you back to check pressures etc as sometimes I find I need to phone to remind them before the appointment is due.

If you are in Somerset or Surrey there is the ACES scheme who will always see you if you are worried following surgery or whatever. I have been seen several times by a specially trained Optometrist, it is funded by the NHS but not available everywhere..... I think we ought to ask for it !

Do hope things go well for you. Best wishes.

[Longwalks3]

Thanks for your good wishes. My consultant has just prescribed Thealoz. Duo for me too and I am finding it helpful. I live in Solihull in the West Midlands and have been treated at the Birmingham eye hospital and they have been brilliant. I understand that my consultant is a bit of a pioneer in all sorts of procedures - he is an excellent surgeon. Unfortunately my eyes are in such poor condition after years of aggressive drops that surgery is very difficult. I was previously a patient at a local hospital but completely lost confidence in the treatment I was receiving there. Eventually I opted for private treatment and had 2 Baerveldt shunts done privately in 2020. When it became clear that I was going to need further treatment my consultant transferred me into his NHS clinic (much to my relief!) I will give them a ring on Monday though as I was told I would get an appointment about now and I will to the optician to get the pressure checked if there is any more delay.