Microshunt Surgery

[BertWimbledon66]

I have recently been diagnosed late, with glaucoma and only have sight in 1 eye. I’m now being told I need urgent Microshunt surgery on the good eye at Moorfields. Has anyone had this surgery as I am worried by the comments I have read on various forums?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

We have buddies who have had the presaflo microshunt surgery (if this is the one you have been offered). They would be more than happy to chat with you about the procedure. If this is something you would like, you can call our helpline on 01233 648170 and we can arrange this for you.

[muddledme]

Hello BertWimbledon66,

If you are having a Preserflo microshunt then I hope your surgery is as good as mine seems to have been.

I suppose there will always be negative comments about surgery as the people who have successful operations may just be very relieved and say little.

I understand the worry of an operation on your good eye as I felt that too, but then the worry of no operation and declining vision was worse.

Luckily both the ops have left me with stable glaucoma and no eye medications except eye lubricants for dry eye with which I can cope.

The nurses and doctors can be very helpful if you ask about the pros and cons.

The actual shunt is tiny and the operation often done with a simple local aneasthetic which I found very interesting and everyone was so kind.

Post op you do need to be very careful to follow all the advice and be prepared to administer lots of regular eye drops for about six weeks. A good feeling when you get to the end !

Wishing you well and please ask about any worries pre or post op.

[Toby_from_London in reply to muddledme]

Thank you muddledme; that has made me feel better!

One thing I am particularly concerned about is blurry vision after the op, as my eyesight in that eye is poor anyway.

How was your eyesight immediately after the operation?

I understand things may be blurry for one or two weeks but how was your vision, if you don’t mind me asking?

[muddledme in reply to Toby_from_London]

Yes, I do not think I was prepared for the post op vision symptoms.

My poor vision eye had the first op, and the day after the op, when the eye sheild and dressing was removed, then I found everything seemed distorted.

The consultant reassured me that it could take a few days to slowly recover. It did improve very gradually within the first week.

The second , good eye had no distortion at all post op, but having the sheild on until the following day I had to walk very carefully and slowly.

It would be helpful to have someone with you after surgery to take you from the ward to home. ( I stupidly told my husband that I would be fine but regretted it , he did drive me home though!) I also wished I had taken a walking stick.

The eye sheild is transparent plastic with holes in it so that when you wear it at night to protect your operated eye then at least you are not completely blacked out.

I do not remember either eye being especially blurred, in fact I was amazed how quickly they seemed to recover.

Sunshine was a problem, so I always wore a hat or visor outside. Now after a year I suppose my brain has got used to things, so this is not such a problem.

Extra lighting in the home, especially near stairs was excellent. We bought some plug- in dimmable nightlights and some that stay on in a power cut, not expensive but very worthwhile.

Best wishes

[Toby_from_London in reply to muddledme]

Thank you for taking the time to reply muddledme; I wish you well🙂

[JJ40]

I had a Preserflo micro shunt 12 months ago. This was in my 'good' eye to hopefully keep it that way as I have lost a large amount of vision already in the other eye. I was very apprehensive about having the op and very frightened after at the very poor vision I had for nearly 10 weeks. However, it did clear back to how it was before the micro shunt but the pressure has been increasing over the last 6 months and I am on drops in both eyes now. I have a hospital appointment next week so will see what that brings.

[Toby_from_London in reply to JJ40]

Wishing you well JJ40; do let me know how you get on.