Optician advice please

[BonnieMagic]

Hi please could I have some advice on attending the optician for a sight test. I was last seen in July 2020 when I was referred to the hospital (for what I know now) to be checked for glaucoma. I didn’t get an appointment until June 2021 and was then told I have open angle glaucoma. Opted for SLT which I had end July. At the time I was told not to bother with an optician until after my 2 month post SLT check up.

I’ve had that now and have another SLT appointment next month. First attempt did not lower my pressures enough.

I know they do a sight check each time I attend the hospital but I have no idea if my sight has deteriorated. My prescription is described as complex. I’ve had the DVLA visual field tests.

I’m really unsure what to do for the best as it will probably be next year before I have my next post SLT check.

[Jennymary]

Maybe ring optician, tell them what's going on and get their advice regarding another sight test, otherwise ask at the hospital next time you go

[Amandeep_GlaucomaUK]

Hi BonnieMagic,

It is worth ringing your optician to see if you are due an eye test, in most cases if you are referred for suspect glaucoma to the hospital and/or have a complex glasses prescription you are placed on a 1 year check for your eye test. This would mean you should be able to book in for a routine eye test, now that you have been seen post SLT treatment in hospital. When you attend your eye appointment, your Optometrist will be able to look at your visual acuity from July 2020 and compare it to what it is now to see if there has been any changes/loss in vision. They would also be able to do a pressure check. The check in hospital is different to a regular eye test, the glaucoma clinic mainly focuses on the health of your eyes versus an eye test would focus on both your glasses prescription and the health of your eyes. Hope this helps.

Amandeep

Glaucoma UK Advisor

[valfrance]

Hi BonnieMagic, well you must be a very patient woman to wait 1 year for anyone to look at you after being referred to the hospital. Do you know what your current pressure was at your last appointment? What was your pressure before slt

did you get slt in both eyes?

or are you going to your next appointment for the 2nd eye?

either way, at your next appointment I would ask them to print your records for you and keep a file of your development.

i get a print out of all my eye tests, i.e. pressure and optical nerve test so i know what is happening without someone telling me verbally.

I would definitely ask at your next appointment.

I live in france and i have had slt 7 months ago, it is currently 17 and 19. my consultant was ok when it was 20...it fluctuates. originally it was 28 before slt

do you take any drops... i also take monoprost. perhaps you need just 1 drop to reduce it further if it is high.

take care valfrance

[BonnieMagic in reply to valfrance]

Hello Valfrance

Thanks for coming back to me.

The wait to be seen was attributed to Covid as I know that many clinics in our local hospital just didn’t happen. Maybe if the referral had been flagged as urgent I may have been seen earlier. My pressures were 24 and 22 and after SLT in both eyes it’s now 22 and 20 so I’m having it done again. The doctor I saw at review didn’t want me to have drops but to wait to see the results of the second laser treatment.

To be honest I’m not sure if the clinic would provide print-outs and I’d be interested to know if UK hospitals offer this. My experience of French hospitals is that they have a very different attitude to paperwork and test results.

You take care too

[valfrance in reply to BonnieMagic]

Hi bonniemagic, my consultant would not do a 2nd laser that fast. I did ask her can it be done again if it didn't work and she said no not right away. she said you wait 6 months to see, as your pressure can go up and down. after 6 months if it is high then it is considered a failure. We are all stressed when getting our pressure done... for example 3 months ago they took my pressure it was mid 20's, the consultant did it again 1 hour later and it was normal? you get 1 shot usually and then your fate is decided with either extra medication or whatever.. its worrying...fortunately my consultant is amazing i am very very lucky.

Yours is only 2 months. my last pressure of 20 and 20 is with laser and taking 1 drop monoprost it has no preservatives. It would seem your result to me is pretty good considering you dont take any drops either. Obviously they did not tell you about your eye results... you should ask.

I do many other things to help... as follows all to keep pressure down....

i do not take decongestants of any kind like vick nasal spray or tablets

i stopped using topical steroids on my head for psoriasis

i sleep with my head raised by 20%... i put wood under my bed

i wear builders glasses whilst sleeping they are light and stop me from pushing my eye into the pillow this can cause your pressure to raise

i take natural supplements a good one is nutrioff that is in the uk and also ginko bilbao

i do not smoke nor drink coffe and drink herbal tea

i limited my alcohol

i do not eat cheese, cold meats, sausages bacon

i eat a healthy diet

I have no idea if any of this works, this is just research.. god knows what my pressure would be if all of these things do work. these are actually to protect your macular and are all related to reducing your pressure in your eyes. all i know is thank god, my optical nerves have not been further damaged since last January and this pressure level i have is apparently not damaging my macular... fingers crossed... i cross everything... hope this helps valfrance

[BonnieMagic in reply to valfrance]

Haven’t responded as I have had a right to and fro with the eye clinic as to the next phase of treatment. Am going in this afternoon to possibly have a second SLT but have been told that it won’t be done if my pressures are low enough. Fingers crossed. Thanks so much for your detailed response and helpful advice. I will post an update.

[Stairs10]

hi this is an important question. but from experience the vision test they do at hospital eye clinic is not enough. for many many years i didn't go to the optician because i assumed that i had 'progressed' to hospital so all was being taken care of.then in eye clinic they started to ask when i last went to the optician and eventually a nurse advised me to go.

i eventually went a couple of years ago because my hospital appointment was coming up and i knew that they would ask me again when i last went to the optician. the optician check was very thorough and brilliant.

all the best

[BonnieMagic in reply to Stairs10]

Thanks so much for positive feedback. I have booked to see the optician this week. 🤞My vision hasn’t changed too much and I can find out what my pressures are. Take care