Trabeculectomy

[ChrisNorthEast]

does anyone know how long a trabeculectomy lasts. I’m told this is the most effective op to reduce eye pressure and sustain it over time

[AlfredV]

It is a good question. From my own research, some don't last long at all, and others can last decades. Having had my first at 48, I'm hoping for the latter.

I don't know for certain, but I do wonder to what extent healthy living makes a difference. Following a heart attack I made massive lifestyle changes and saw IOP reductions of ~25% in both trab eyes.

If trabs do fail though, there are interventions that can take place to try and fix them before proceeding to something more drastic.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to AlfredV]

Thanks Alfred. I exercise regularly too and did until recently lift weights but some people say this may increase IOP

[camonline486 in reply to AlfredV]

Hi AlfredV, may I ask, what kind of lifestyle changes did you make? Do you take any extra vitamins or food supplements?

[AlfredV in reply to camonline486]

I have an underlying health condition which causes me to react quite badly to a wide range of supplements and medications, so I would take some if I could. However, the biggest change I made was to switch to a low carbohydrate clean ketogenic diet. I haven't found any studies which support reduced IOP on keto, but I've seen lots of anecdotal information and it certainly worked for me.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello ChrisNorthEast. I have spoken to people who's trabeculectomy has only lasted 3-5 years, and others that have had it done over 20 years ago, and it is still working well.

Trabeculectomy is still classed as the gold standard in the treatment of glaucoma, and has been around for over 50 years, with high success rates, but like all procedures, there is always the risk that it may not work as well as expected.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you Trish I’m new to all this and scared if I’m honest

[Redshoes15]

Hi ChrisNorthEast I have had two trabs and from what I can gather, it varies from person to person how long it lasts. With some people it can last a lifetime, in others the channel can get blocked - however needling can then be performed to open it up again.

As for exercise, the main thing to remember is not to do any exercises where your head is lower than your heart. I do Pilates and have had to modify my routine so I only do the exercises that suit my glaucoma. I also do weights, but don’t lift them higher than my head.

I know how you feel about being scared, but you will learn to live with glaucoma and not let it ruin your life. I am a dancer and intend to carry on with that and everything else I enjoy! You will find lots of help and support on this forum.

Good luck!

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to Redshoes15]

Thank you so much. Did the transfer lower your pressures significantly?

[Redshoes15]

Yes it did. My pressures were previously 28 and 26. I had the worst eye done first and pressure is now stable, between 10 and 16. I have just had the other eye done and pressure is coming down nicely. The consultant will tweak it at first and closely monitor you until he/she gets the pressure right. The hoorah - you will be able to come off your eye drops!

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to Redshoes15]

Oh thank you so much

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to ChrisNorthEast]

I didn’t realise they could tweak it to get it lower?

[Redshoes15]

You will be given instructions on how to manage the post op care, including massaging the eye. Just do everything you are told and all will be fine.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to Redshoes15]

Thank you so much

[NewCardinal]

If it doesn't work effectively they can do 'needling' subsequently. That re-opens any drainage channels that may heal up and is a 10 minute job. Trabs take about an hour and three quarters to do. I've had both eyes done (2019 and 2020) but the left one wasn't working effectively as my body healed it up. So my consultant did a 'revision' which re-opened the channels again. The right eye is still working ok. All depends on your individual body how these things turn out I guess.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to NewCardinal]

Thanks for that, what did your pressures come down to

[NewCardinal in reply to ChrisNorthEast]

Left eye is now 9 and right eye 11. The doctors' aim is to keep the pressures below 12 as I lose vision much above that. They were only 20 to begin with but I had lost vision. I also use a drop in the right eye twice a day to try and keep things ok but I don't need any drops in the left eye since they re-did that one last year. Left eye is worse than the right which is why they're keep to keep things as low as possible. It's a scary thought having an eye op, but the surgery really is the best they can offer currently until gene therapy comes into mainstream. Hope that helps calm your nerves a bit.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to NewCardinal]

Could I speak with you on the phone?

[NewCardinal in reply to ChrisNorthEast]

I think I might be registered as a 'buddy' with Glaucoma UK; I can't remember. I'll check with them and then you could phone them and they'll put us in touch. Hope that's ok.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to NewCardinal]

Many thanks

[MatthewC]

Hey Chris. Thanks for posting this question, I've been wondering the same thing as you. It's scary suddenly entering the world of trabs and glaucoma isn't it?I had my trab nearly 3 weeks ago. Pressure dropped from 40 to 4 the day after the surgery, a couple of tweaks and on day 3 the pressure was back up to 30! Some more tweaks and the pressure was back down to 20 and it's now hovering around 16.

I say all that just to reiterate what others on here are saying - it can be a roller-coaster for the first few weeks post trab, and I guess for all of us we don't know how we'll it's going to work (and how long it's going to last) until some time down the line. I found the uncertainty the most difficult thing at first, but I'm coming to terms with the fact that I can't control it and so am focusing on the rest of my life instead of fretting over what my next pressure check will say!

Good luck with it.