eyesight

[Bazzer65]

I’m 57yrs and was diagnosed with Glaucoma 2yrs ago and my eyesight is deteriorating in my left eye which I’m gutted about. The last year my pressures have been between 18-21 On my last appointment I was told I may have advanced Glaucoma and may need laser surgery? Does anyone have any similar issues with eye sight loss and although I know I can’t get my eyesight back can it be controlled so it doesn’t get any worse? Any advice would be so much appreciated

[KayGeeBee]

Hello Bazzer65, I'm 64 and was diagnosed 12 years ago, since when I've had quite a lot of sight loss despite my pressures typically being around 13-18.

I've now been told that I have normal-pressure glaucoma, so the sight loss continued with normal pressures. You should ask if you have the same as that may make a difference as to how much your pressures need to be reduced.

I had laser (SLT), a painless procedure, but it was ineffective for me so I've just had a preserflo microshunt inserted to try to bring the pressures below 10ish, now around 8. (So far so good but it's early days).

[Bazzer65 in reply to KayGeeBee]

Thank you for your reply I am seeing a consultant again in two weeks. I try not to think about how my sight is deteriorating hoping it will go away but it’s hit me the last few weeks and I guess I need to start asking questions to the consultant …

[Hidden]

I take it you have been using eye drops since your diagnosis.

My pressures went out of control during the pandemic when all my follow up appointments were cancelled but I've been lucky that although the ocular hypertension became glaucoma in one eye I have not lost any vision yet. Laser treatment sadly did not help and so I had MIGS surgery and cataract removal last summer which did bring the pressure down. I am waiting to see what the situation is when I am seen again next month.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Bazzer65,

Your consultants main aim is to control and maintain your glaucoma and stop anymore progression.

Normally a change of drops can be done up to 3-4 times, but if it is felt that it is not a viable option, they will look at other options to treat your glaucoma.

As others have mentioned. Laser is an option and is a painless procedure. If this doesnt work as well as hoped, there are options such as MIGS or Trabeculectomy.

[Bazzer65 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks for this I will take these questions to my appointment and ask for all of my options .. really appreciate you taking the time to reply x

[praying4cure]

I was diagnosed with advanced low-tension glaucoma at age 64. There was already significant visual field loss in my left eye and a small amount in the right. The loss continued to advance to "severe" stage, despite the use of 4 medications 4x/day, SLT laser treatments, and cataract surgeries with stents. I was at times frantic and at other times resigned to losing my sight, until I found a surgeon who convinced me to have trabeculectomy/shunt surgeries. I had one in spring '21 and another a year later. My pressures are now holding steady at 5 and 6 and I'm feeling relieved and hopeful that my vision will hold out until there is a breakthrough in some of the promising research that is currently underway to restore lost vision. I am grateful for the vision I have and hopeful that things will remain stable, and maybe one day improve. Never underestimate the importance of hope.

[Bazzer65 in reply to praying4cure]

Thank you for this I will write all of everyone’s advice down and speak with the consultant on Monday. I think I have buried my head in the sand a bit hoping it will all go away 😢😢 Im really glad yours had stabilised and stayed that way

[praying4cure]

Best to accept the diagnosis, be thankful that you're aware this is happening to your eyes so you can resolve to stay informed, and do everything possible to slow, or stop, the progression of your vision loss. Virtually everyone on this forum has experienced the shock, denial, grief, and fear that go along with a glaucoma diagnosis. But those emotions are not productive; they will only serve to detract from your appreciation of the vision you have in the here and now. Best of luck and may you continue to see for the rest of your life.