Terrified of surgery

[Toby_from_London]

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed with glaucoma last year not realising there was an issue, and as a result have no vision in one eye. Eye drops are not reducing the pressure in my “good” eye so I am scheduled for trab surgery next week and am terrified.

I do not currently have glaucoma in that eye and am worried about making my sight worse or even going blind. Can anyone who has maybe been in a similar situation offer any advice?

Thank you.

[1inana]

I was in a similar situation at the start of lockdown and delays to surgery meant that I lost a fair bit of sight in my ‘good’ eye. If the pressure in your good eye isn’t controlled you will certainly lose that one too. Your anxiety is totally understandable but lots of us have had it without major problems. Just remember that you do have to live life in the slow Lane for a bit afterwards and don’t try to rush things.

[Astilbe in reply to 1inana]

I have had shunt surgery in one eye and trab surgery in my other eye. I have had a shed load of problems with the aqueous shunt and still not right as it didn't work for me.

However the trab surgery went ok, although I had double vision for a while in my eye but ok now. My sight is good in the trab eye.

The way I looked at it was that I really had to have the surgery or I would certainly lose sight. When you have that sort of choice the decision is much easier I feel. I had my trab under a general anaesthetic as I was told that it would last an hour and the consultant wanted to do it that way.

I hope that your surgery goes well for you. You have to attend clinic every week for 6 weeks afterwards and have lots of eye drops so drawing up a chart for when they need to go in is very helpful. Be scrupulous about cleanliness to guard against infection. I used Blephaclean sterile wipes which were easy to use.

Try not to worry, you are doing the right thing.

[Toby_from_London in reply to Astilbe]

Thank you for taking the time to respond, Astilbe. I wish you well🙂

[valfrance]

Hi toby in hindsight thank god you found out...save your good eye ..simple as that...good luck get as soon as possible take care valfrance

[Toby_from_London in reply to valfrance]

Thank you for your kind words🙂

[Lovemy2woofs]

Really hope all goes well for you with your trab. Natural to worry , but do talk through concerns ( if you can ) with your medical team/ consultant

[Toby_from_London in reply to Lovemy2woofs]

Thank you, and love you’re username!

[BonnieMagic]

Hi Toby have you spoken to Glaucoma UK? They might be able to put you in touch with a buddy who has gone through your op. Good luck and wishing you all the best

[Toby_from_London in reply to BonnieMagic]

Thank you🙂

[praying4cure]

I, too, was terrified of this surgery, but now I am currently 29 days into the recovery period following my second trabeculectomy/shunt surgery within the past year. My surgeon explained that if my vision loss were to continue along the trajectory it was on, that eye would soon be blind, and although the surgery carried a risk of diminished visual clarity, some vision is better than no vision at all. Now my only regret is that I didn't opt for surgery sooner. (That being said, I am confused as to why a trabeculectomy has been recommended for your eye that does not currently have glaucoma.) Stay positive, and remember that your doctor has devoted his career to preventing blindness. Remember also to be patient during the recovery period. "Twenty percent is what the surgeon does, and 80% is how you heal," they told me. Best wishes for a flawless surgery and a thoroughly successful recovery.

[Toby_from_London in reply to praying4cure]

Thank you for your good wishes.

I think after the initial diagnoses I was in shock for quite some time and am only now realising the gravity of the situation.

I have already completely lost vision in one eye and the pressure is increasing in my good eye; my family history and age are against me so I see this as an intervention. However I am concerned that I am potentially compromising the vision I have when I don’t have any nerve damage in that eye.

I would be grateful for the thoughts of anyone else who has been in this situation.

My operation is currently on hold as the department is closed due to Covid!

[praying4cure in reply to Toby_from_London]

I, too, have family history and age working against me, but where we differ is that the visual field loss in my "good" eye had progressed rapidly over the past year. The visual field in the "bad" eye, that was operated on last year was down to about 20% at the time of surgery. The surgery did slow (halt?) the progression, but at the cost of a little visual clarity. Vision in the eye that was operated on recently is still a bit blurry after one month, but that was to be expected, and the clarity should continue to improve as it heals. A new prescription in my glasses will help, too. I understand completely why you would be reluctant to tamper with an eye with no apparent nerve damage. Maybe the Covid delay will give you an opportunity to get a second opinion about doing surgery proactively. Are there additional eye drops that might help lower your IOP, or perhaps a less-invasive, lower risk iStent procedure? (I have normal/low pressure glaucoma and was diagnosed 9 years ago after I'd already had significant visual field loss. Over the years I've sought second, third, and fourth opinions at top glaucoma hospitals in the US.)