Appointment anxiety

Just had a call to say I have an appointment this Friday, which is good because my last glaucoma appointment was January.

After several years of problems and 12 eye procedures I've seen about a year of safe and stable eye pressures, so why the anxiety?

I've noticed a pattern between eye check up and ill health. Every appointment is followed by about 3 months of very poor health. I think I've figured out what is wrong with me but the upshot is that both the anesthetic drops and the fluorescein dye is triggering this problem.

I've known for a few years the anaesthetic was problematic but only in the last year have I figured out that the fluorescein dye is even worse.

So for a while I've been having my eye pressures checked without anaesthetic, which doesn't bother me at all, but it does seem to bother some consultants, in one instance I met a complete refusal to examine my eyes.

I can only imagine this situation is going to be worse now I'll be insistent on no drops. Yet I have had one consultant take my eye pressures with no trouble at all and no drops.

I'm not an awkward person, but there's no way at all I'm going to allow these drops in my eyes again just for a check up.

Frustrating.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. Ive just tried to see if there was an alternative to the fluorescein they use but the only one available is the fluorescein Minims which replaced the fluorescein strips that were originally used by eye professionals. Is it possible for you to go back to the consultant who managed both without the need for either? otherwise it is a case of making sure the consultants know prior to the appointments that you have an adverse reaction so they are aware before you attend the appointment.

[Hidden in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Fortunately the consultant I'm under can take my eye pressures without drops but it is rare I get to see him. Whoever I see on Friday I'll get them to make a note on my record. They automatically know not to use dilating drops due to narrow angles so I'm sure there's somewhere on the notes where it'll stand out.

Thanks for the suggestion 😊🙏

[Hidden]

12 procedures is a lot ay it's good that you're still hanging in there and your pressures are stable. I don't really see why it should be an issue and hope they can work with you. The last thing any of us need is unnecessary appointment anxiety.

[Eahldt]

One of my consultants used a hand held device which he waved about in front of my eyes. On my last visit a different consultant used the traditional method which he said he considered more accurate. However it may be worth asking if the contactless device is an option.

[Hidden in reply to Eahldt]

Thanks. I have seen it, I think it's called an iCare device. I shall mention it at my appointment tomorrow.

[Eahldt in reply to Hidden]

👍