Latanoprost - when should follow up be after b... - Glaucoma UK

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Latanoprost - when should follow up be after being prescribed?

Bertie71 profile image
10 Replies

hi. I was initially on here after having a torn retina over Xmas. They discovered after two laser treatments that my eye pressure was in the 30’s. I’ve been on Latanoprost for 6 months and was supposed to be seen by the Glaucoma team but seem to have got lost in the system. I’ve called to chase but not heard back.

My question is after initially starting eye drops how soon should your eye pressure be rechecked? I’ve notice new floaters in my left eye (my right eye had the torn retina). I thought about turning up at the emergency department but don’t want to seem paranoid.

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Bertie71 profile image
Bertie71
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10 Replies
Trish_GlaucomaUK profile image
Trish_GlaucomaUKPartner

Hello Bernie71.

Normally they like to see you 2-3 months after first starting the drops, sooner if they have concerns.

Always phone the eye secretary regarding delays in appointments. The appointments department will probably say they will contact you when something is available. they do not know your glaucoma history, so alway best to call the eye secretary.

You mentioned the floaters in your left eye. This may be nothing to be concerned about but as you have a history with a torn retina in your right eye, it is even more reason to call the eye secretary and chase up the appointment.

Dont fell paranoid about turning up at the A & E. If you are worried and concerned, and you notice a change in your vision always act upon it and go there.

Some hospitals have an emergency eye clinic too.

Bertie71 profile image
Bertie71 in reply toTrish_GlaucomaUK

Thank you. I’ve managed to track down the Glaucoma secretary. I’m a full time carer to my daughter so I must look after myself. I can go to eye casualty in the morning 🙏

Floaters profile image
Floaters

Bertie - please call your eye doctor right away. From my personal experience, you may have a retinal tear in your left eye. I had the tear first in my right eye and a few months later, had a tear in my left eye.

Bertie71 profile image
Bertie71 in reply toFloaters

Thank you. I’ve managed to get hold of the Glaucoma secretary. I can go to eye casualty tomorrow morning. My first tear was obvious with strobing lights and then a big floater (not that I knew what the lights were at the time). We’re your tears different?

Floaters profile image
Floaters in reply toBertie71

Big floaters but no lights.

Bertie71 profile image
Bertie71 in reply toFloaters

I’m glad I went to eye casualty. It’s a PVD in my left eye starting. Good to know as could get another tear or detachment in next few weeks but fingers crossed it will be gradual 🤞

Floaters profile image
Floaters in reply toBertie71

I am relieved. When they catch it early, laser usually works. My friend ignored his floaters and laser was no longer an option. He had the bubble procedure where he had to lay face down for 7 days at home.

CTinUS profile image
CTinUS

Hello Bertie, I'm sorry you're going through all of that. I had a torn retina a month and a half ago and it seems to have been stabilized by a single laser treatment. I've been diagnosed with glaucoma for a long time, however (I'm 56, diagnosed when I was 16), so I have already been taking eye drops to keep my pressures under control.

I'm not sure what the medical system is like there (I'm in the U.S.), but I know that pressures in the 30s are concerning, and here that would warrant more frequent checks until the pressures could be brought down. There are a few different eye drops that can be tried, alone or in combination with each other, and I would think a doctor seeing you with pressures in the 30s would want to try something like that as quickly as possible. If you can try to be seen by your glaucoma team, I would try to be rather forceful about that.

That said, the floaters are another question. If the floaters are large and/or comparable to the ones you had in the right eye when you had the torn retina, and if you see a consistently dark area in your left eye, I wouldn't hesitate to go to the emergency department.

I know from experience it's easy to be paranoid with things like this going on with your eyes. I'd love to tell you to just not worry, because often worry can consume your thoughts for no good reason, but with retinas the risk of leaving something untended is higher, so I think you're warranted in pressing for treatment.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you can be seen soon!

Bertie71 profile image
Bertie71 in reply toCTinUS

Thank you so much for your response. Sorry for your difficulties. I didn’t know anything about eye problems until 8 months ago. I’ve managed to get hold of the Glaucoma secretary and I can go to eye casualty tomorrow morning.

I’ve found my night vision is much worse too. Is that normal?

With my retinal tear they didn’t do it enough the first time so I went back and they blasted me. Not nice.

Waiting for six months after starting drops was a bit long I thought. I’m a full time carer to my daughter so not good at putting myself first.

Best wishes and lovely to connect.

CTinUS profile image
CTinUS in reply toBertie71

I’m happy to hear you’ll have an appointment tomorrow.

Yes, having a retinal tear can toy with your night vision. I believe it’s usually a temporary situation and not a sign of something worse to come, but definitely worth asking about.

I feel for you having your eye blasted twice. I’ve lucked out in that regard and only had the lasering once. I agree, it is no fun!

Good luck tomorrow!

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