Why different diagnoses of glaucoma?

[Milesofsmiles]

I've had 2 different diagnoses from 2 different consultants - one said normal-tension open angle glaucoma, the other said normal-tension closed angle glaucoma. I don't doubt their expertise or judgement, but wondered why they came to different conclusions. Could it be that I'm a borderline case? Has anyone else has this experience?

(I've had peripheral iridotomies, for closed angle glaucoma).

Thank you.

[anonimouse5]

This has also happened to me. I have high pressure and was told I had open angle and had goniometry twice.

Then after 18 months the consultant told me out of the blue that I had angle closure. When I queried this she said I had been refusing goniometry so it hadn't been picked up. She said there was no record of it having been done - and then she didn't do it either!

Next appointment with another doctor - goniometry again, must have iridotomy the next week.

Iridotomy was supposed to have worked but two monthe later they are talking about cataract surgery which will be risky due to "complex problems" - no time to explain...

I'm not as charitable as you. I don't trust them.

[Milesofsmiles in reply to anonimouse5]

Really sorry to hear about your experience anonimouse5, that sounds very unsettling. I hope you get to a suitable solution.

[PBX142]

Well I would doubt their expertise and judgement....and get a third opinion. It's a pain I know but open and closed are very different. At the start I did see several consultants until I found one I felt confident with, which is so important. I also found it helpful - and still do - to write down questions as somehow when you're sitting in front of them, it all goes out the window.....!

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

I don't obviously know, but could it have been that you had closed angles before the periphery iridotomies and they have worked well and now your drainage angle is open. There are times too when someone may have a narrow angle for so many degrees of the 360 degree circumference and the rest of the angle is open. Only suggestions which may prompt further questions for you to ask.