Trab after failed shunt

[PeteJones]

Hello.

This is my first post so please bear with me.

About a year ago I had a shunt inserted which I thought would be an end to my problems.

After a lot of delayed appointments my IOP has started to creep back up, and my doctor has suggested a trab. My next visit is in 6 months, which I think is too long.

Obviously I would prefer not to have a second operation in the same eye but has anyone out there been in the same position, and did the trab work where the shunt had failed?

I am also worried as I only have vision in one eye and the anaesthetic will knock that out, so I’ll be effectively blind until the local wears off.

Any reassurance/advice would be appreciated.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello. Thought I would reply to you and hope someone who has had the two operations comes forward with their experience.

I can tell you that I have spoken to a couple of people on the Helpline who have had these two operations. One had the trab first and then the shunt surgery. People don't always keep in touch afterwards but I know in one case it worked to reduce the eye pressure. As you have vision in one eye, to try to save the vision in the other is so important, as you will only be too aware. It does make it more difficult following the operation due to blurred vision and in your case as you say, even more so.

Your eye specialist must obviously think it is worth going ahead with, to suggest it. Give it more time and someone may answer. I understand the reassurance of getting the view of someone, who has actually been through the procedures.

[Hidden]

Hi Peter, hopefully someone will get in touch who has had both ops but until then I can tell you I've had trabs in both eyes after drops failed to control my pressures. For me the trabs have been a great success and I am no longer on any drops at all . It's a thought to have any eye op but to have a second one in the same eye is obviously more of a concern. I agree with Helen your specialist must believe there's a good chance of the trab effectively controlling your pressure or they wouldn't have suggested it. I would be willing to do anything to try to keep my vision but I would also still be scared as that's completely normal.After the trab they cover your eye with a plastic shield and padding so until it's removed the following day you will effectively be unable to see anything, you will therefore need someone with you to be your eyes.

Good luck and hopefully you will hear from someone else soon who can give you reassurance

[whitedog]

Hi

I had the ops the other way round - laser first, then trab, then after both of those failed (due to inflammation from underlying disease) a drainage tube. I still have to use two different drops so am not sure if or how much the tube works in my case, though the docs always say it's in a great position.

I've only a tiny bit of vision left in that eye now and cataract developing in the other so I'm also a bit anxious about being virtually blind after any potential surgery or if anything was to go wrong, especially as I live alone.