normal tension glaucoma

[Eyedrop]

Went back to hospital for pressures checking 6 weeks after being diagnosed with glaucoma. I'm using latanoprost. Nothing had changed and he said he would speak to the consultant and I would hear from them. I asked what type of glaucoma I have and he said normal tension. He wasn't very forthcoming so I asked no more and was dismissed. Please can someone explain in simple layman's term what normal tension glaucoma is. How bad might it get, is it a slow developing glaucoma. I am due an eye test and my eyes do seem worse, I wondered if the drops could cause my eyes to seem a bit blurry he said not, he wasn't sort of bloke you could ask questions of so I gave up.

[Efabear]

Hello. Eye drops definitely can cause blurry vision. There is a webinar that covers normal tension glaucoma on the Glaucoma UK website. Look under support groups and past webinars. My consultant is a bit like that too

[Eyedrop in reply to Efabear]

Thanks will take a look now

[haraba]

Hello Eyedrop. I also have NTG. Diagnosed in Feb 2022 and given Latanoprost drops. These stung initially then it was changed to the preservative free Monopost., which is fine. My eye pressures ( intraocular pressure or IOP) are always in the “normal range” of less than 21mm ( the units of pressure measurement are millimetres of mercury). My average is usually about 16. Hence, my glaucoma, like yours is glaucoma, but with normal pressure, but still causes the problem. The visual field tests (VF) have shown some field loss and the scan of the optic nerve and retina (OCT) shown thinning. These tests are not always available and indeed my VF was missed last year. Brinzolamide drops have now been added. This a white suspension and does not sting me, but causes slight short lived blurring due to the fluid. I do have to wipe away a white residue from the inner corner of my eye afterwards.The drops should all have an information leaflet when you get them with a (long) list of possible side effects with how likely they are. The list can reassure and/or cause anxiety, but you can ask a community pharmacist about them if needed as well.The aim in NTG is still to reduce the IOPs- I have been told by about a third. Hopefully, the IOPs reduce and the VFs and OCT become stable on later reviews. Hope that this helps.

[Eyedrop in reply to haraba]

Thanks that does help

[charles555]

NTG is a lot less common among Europeans while in Japan, funnily enough, more than 80% glaucoma patients are NTG. I presume you are of traditional British stock?

Good news about NTG is that the progress is slow. You won't go blind overnight.

You will start with Latanoprost and see if it works for you or not. Then if not, Brinzolamide added. Part of the reason your doc didn't say much to you might be because your condition is not alarming yet. But you should be told what your IOPs are. Ask him.

[Eyedrop in reply to charles555]

thanks charles

[balacakkhu]

Hello Eyedrop, Glaucoma is usually due to increase IOP which can cause visual fields defect. Normal tension glaucoma means the IOP is normal level but there is defect in vision - visual fields defect. The problem of normal tension glaucoma is what is the normal? It depends on the individual. The normal level to others will be high for you. The treatments & managements of glaucoma is improving over the years. The treatments are surgery - operation, medical (eye drops) and laser treatments. In the last 20-25 years the eye drops (one or combinations) is usually first line treatment. Before these more effective eye drops were discovered the surgery was the common practice. According to the NICE guide line the management has been changed very recently e.g Laser as the first line (it depends on the type of glaucoma) but it cannot be provided in every hospital yet. Please follow the discussions and the various talks by the various specialists in Glaucoma UK. The eye drops can cause blur vision for a few minutes.

The Glaucoma is the long journey. It needs regular follow up...... to prevent further vision / vision field defect.

[Eyedrop in reply to balacakkhu]

Thanks Balacakkhu, that is very helpful