Advice please

[Nala2509]

I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in March of this year and currently on Monopost drops once a day. I have been experiencing pain in my eyes which I reported to the eye clinic. I was seen today for the second time in six weeks and the doctor told me to stop all glaucoma drops and dry eye lubricants for 1-2 weeks to see if it they are causing the problem. He also said he wants me to have laser treatment with a view to get me off glaucoma drops all together.

I am very anxious to stop the drops, my pressures are consistently 11/12, so low I know, he was not at all concerned about stopping the drops and felt it would cause little if any damage/problems, during that time.

He said after that time to slowly reintroduce the drops and lubricants to see if the pain returned, that would then establish what causes the pain.

All very logical and understandable, however I am extremely anxious about stopping the glaucoma drops and risk further damage to my sight.

Has anyone been through this please or can anyone give me any help.

Thank you 😊

[charles555]

Hasn't your doctor suggested trying other drops? Mono or Latano prosts are not the only drops available to lower IOP. On the other hand, if your IOP is constantly 11 or so and still sight deteriorating, then an op maybe the logical next step

[Nala2509 in reply to charles555]

Thank you. I am hoping to get more information so that I can make an informed decision going forward.

[Dave_H1]

Hi Nala and welcome to the forum. Intraocular pressure is about 10-20 mm HG so, your pressures are right on the low side of the norm. Is it definitely glaucoma you were diagnosed with? It's not easy I know, but you need to get your consultant to explain fully what is happening. Good luck.

[Nala2509 in reply to Dave_H1]

Thank you for your reply. Yes it is definitely Glaucoma and when diagnosed my pressures were 14/18. Getting any form of comprehensive information has been very difficult as the clinics are so busy. I am currently considering a private consultation to get some answers.

[valfrance]

Hi Nala, your pressure is low in comparison to most of us on here. Anything above 21 is considered high. Just to let you know that in October of last year my pressure reached 23 & 25 I was taking monoprost. I had been taking it for 2 years.

Here in black and white are the details of side effects of monoprost for some people...

'Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people: Irritation or disruption to the surface of the eye, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), eye pain and light sensitivity (photophobia).

Therefore you can get eye pain, however no drug is perfect is it...

The pain I was experiencing that they could not explain and said it could be blocked sinus and even stress. I did ask is this pain glaucoma as at that time in October I did not have glaucoma only occular pressure. I asked about the drug I had been taking for 2 years, they said it would have happened earlier with that if that was the case. No one would give me an answer, and they did not tell me to stop taking monoprost.

My pain was so awful I used to have to close my eyes to rest and put warm compresses on them at the end of the day to stop the throbbing.

I had pain going from my eyes down the sides of my face.

Believe me I went for all kinds of tests, sinus MRI maybe my sinuses were blocked.....I tried meditation for stress.

Between October and January till my next appointment my levels reached 28 and they then told me I had glaucoma. I now believe the pain was the damage happening in my eyes, I don't care what they say.

Do you have open angled glaucoma?

Pressure is all individual and if your eyesight is fine with that level of pressure then perhaps you should get slt laser whilst you still have a relatively 'virgin' eye as you only started taking monoprost in march.

I had SLT in March and just take monoprost my level yesterday was 19 & 20 and at the moment that seems fine for me with my eyesight etc, no further damage.

I had had a journey with medication and if this monoprost is not suitable, then you can try other drugs, just make sure non preservative in them. However do ask about slt. take care valfrance

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Your consultant feels there is no risk in stopping the drops for this period of time. if they did, they would have offered an alterative eye drop. It is not unusual for this to happen. Any concerns you have within this time should be discussed with your consultant. You can contact them via the eye secretary.

[Nala2509]

Thank you, he had no concerns at all and was very relaxed about it. I have just received an appointment for laser treatment, which throws up more questions but I will post that as a separate question. Thanks again