I’m currently on Latanoprost until I see my consultant

[ChrisNorthEast]

I’m currently on Latanaprost 1 drop both eyes per night until I see my consultant next Thursday. I’m newly diagnosed and been on them a week and a half. Will they keep the pressures reduced so as to not cause any more damage until I can get surgery? Anyone know how long it takes latanaprost to reduce pressure? Thanks

[JanD236]

I’m not sure it’s possible to answer your question as we all respond individually to the various types of drops.

Over the years I’ve had several different types of drops and the only way of seeing if they worked for me was to try them for a few weeks and then test my pressure.

Hopefully you’ll get more information when you see your consultant next week.

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to JanD236]

Thanks

[Jon1988]

Hi Chris, I would make an appointment with the opticians and get them to take a pressure reading, it’s not as accurate as the consultant equipment, but will give you a good indication. I was given latanoprost and seems to be working well for me at the moment. I have just switched to monopost which is the preservative free version and they are a lot kinder to your eyes. If you end up staying on latanoprost ask for those.

I think the drops you are taking start working to increase the outflow of eye fluid pretty much straight away, reaching max strength within (roughly) 8 hours.

[GardeningDorset123]

Everyone is different.. nothing is certain.you will get used to it.. surgery is also not certain and may not be long lasting.. good luck

[Hidden]

Agree with above. Drops might help you to avoid surgery if they work for you. But everyone reacts differently. Your eye hospital will keep you under surveillance, probably every 6 months or so.

[Ritualhazard]

Hi Chris. I was diagnosed about four years ago and given Latanoprost which controlled my pressures well for about two years. I didn’t see anyone during covid and ended hoo with angle closure in June 2021. Been on a roller coaster ride ever since with YAG, triple therapy and still massive spikes in my pressure. Starting to see damage in my right eye. I had SLT last week but it’s not expected to work. My consultant says he has never seen anything like my pressures. I would say, after being told I was having stokes or arrhythmias and all the anxiety that went with it, is that glaucoma is a very treatable disease. Once you have a diagnosis there are many things that can be done to halt any sight loss. It’s thought to come to terms with. The only thru g I can say is make sure you have regular follow ups, do t be brushed off. And don’t believe everything you read on the internet!

[Sufitzy]

Hi The affect is quite immediate . But also possible to add other drops if the effect isn’t as great as the consultant is aiming for .

I pressure wise it should definitely help but what type of glaucoma do you have ? Closed or open angle ?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Latanaprost works well in bringing the IOP (eye pressure) down and it should start showing a reduction within a week of using it. You are normally seen within2-3 months of first diagnosis, so it give the eyes time to get used to the drops and for the drop to work well. If you are considering going to an optometrist to get your IOP checked, i would leave it for at least a month.

It doesnt matter what type of glaucoma you have. Latanaprost can reduce the IOP whatever type of glaucoma you have,

[Lucy222 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Trish I have had raised eye pressure for about 15 years but it was never high enough to warrant treatment. In February I was diagnosed with High Eye Pressure and prescribed Latanaprost 1 drop in each eye once a day.. However I am having frequent headaches and my vision is strange. The Consultant doesent want to check the pressure in my eyes utill August but I am very anxious. Is there anywhere that I can go to have my Eye pressures checked in the meantime?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Lucy222]

Hello Lucy,

Normally, if someone if prescribed new drops, they are seen 2-3 months afterwards to make sure the drops are working, so waiting til August if far too long a wait.

Even though you are not due back until August, I would call the eye secretary explaining the situation and request you are seen sooner rather than later.

You do not say whether the drops are prescribed as a preventative or you have been diagnosed with glaucoma or what type you have.

If you feel your vision has changed and you are experiencing headaches, halos around lights and sickness, it could be the drops are not working in reducing the eye pressure. You should either visit the A & E or, if your hospital has a walk in eye clinic, go there.

You can have your eye pressure checked between appointments at your opticians but will probably have to pay unless they are very accommodating and offer to check them for nothing, but this is very rare.

Either way, don't leave it.

[Toby_from_London]

Hi Chris,

It's great you're reaching out, this forum certainly helped me, but the questions you are asking don't have definitive answers I'm afraid.

Everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to drops, MIGS and trab surgery.

It's been really useful for me to be able to speak to different people about their experiences on this forum but unfortunately nothing is guaranteed.

However now you have been diagnosed you are in safe hands; your consultant will be able to talk through your options and devise a treatment plan. My advice would be to prepare a list of questions for your next appointment, and if you do have surgery in the future follow the aftercare instructions carefully.

Good luck and keep us updated!

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to Toby_from_London]

Will do and thank you

[Toby_from_London in reply to ChrisNorthEast]

Sorry I meant to say if you do have to have surgery at anytime in the future Trish can put you in touch with a Glaucoma UK "buddy" who has been through the same procedure, and can talk to you about their experience, which was a great help to me before I had my MIGS surgery🙂

[ChrisNorthEast in reply to Toby_from_London]

Thanks Toby