I was diagnosed in January and have been on drops since, I also had laser in March.
I went for a check up at hospital yesterday to see how much the pressures have changed and was disappointed to to find they haven’t.
They were 20 in both eyes in March and yesterday were 20 and 21.
My Dr is changing my drops to combined and will review me again in 8 weeks.
is this normal? She thinks it’s unusual for the drops not to have worked.
Hello,
Normally if a person is using the drops as prescribed by their consultant and putting them in everyday, there is usually a change, even if only slightly but it can, very rarely not work in reducing the eye pressure.
It is unusual that the drops haven't worked in reducing your eye pressure, but hopefully the additional drop will help.
yes I put them in every day as prescribed and had laser so I’m quite confused it’s not worked at all.
Happened to me as well, so I don't think it's that unusual, the first couple of types they gave me, I might as well have been putting water in my eye. It is possible as well that without them the pressure could have been even higher, as this is how the Glaucoma progressed since your last visit, so obviously even if that was the case you need something stronger, and always make sure you ask for preservative free.
How are you applying the drops, you need to apply pressure to the tear duct for at least 2 minutes to ensure the drops don’t drain away, I find that very important.
thanks, I will make an effort to hold it in my eye longer
my first lazer had no effect but the second worked. It’s effects lasted about 10 yrs then had a third treatment that put a hole in the retina- sounds awful but was easy. That worked a bit but not enough. Now on drops that seem to be okay but pressure could be rising again - due for another check soon. Anyway the point being that there’s a long road ahead with quite a few options so just keep plugging away and consider yourself lucky you are diagnosed and the is a free NHS to help out. Good luck
Hi! Just to back up what others have said. I’ve had a similar experience. For a number of us our glaucoma doesn’t always respond quite to type or in the way that’s expected and usual. It can be disconcerting. My consultant isn’t hugely effusive; he’s a busy surgeon. But I know when my consultant is not pleased with my results as he goes very quiet and studies my results intently. When it’s good it’s obvious he is pleased and he says so. I hate that quietness now as he studies my files.
For me, each drop or drop combination seemed to work for a few weeks then my pressures crept up. I went through a lot of different drops in a short space of time. Do ask for preservative free as eventually multiple drop changes may irritate your eyes and that happened to me.
My SLT in one eye was initially thought to have failed. Then 6 mths later my pressures stayed stable for a check which was deemed to be down to the SLT after all! Hoorah! But my other (good) eye pressure slowly crept up so then I had SLT in that eye. At the post op check both eyes pressures were stable AND in my target IOP range.
I had my 6 month check in March and I’m still waiting to hear if they are still stable (nhs delays) and if there’s no progression. But I’m hopeful! 🤞🏻
So sometimes it doesn’t go to plan ! The consultant should keep a close eye on you until they get things stable so try not to worry. I know it can be hard not to worry.
What type of glaucoma do you have? Have you lost any vision?
Thanks for the reply. I have open angle in my left eye and have lost some vision in that eye. I have to put drops in both eyes and had laser to both eyes too.
I have noticed that my eye pressures are lower if I have an early morning appointment, nearer to the time I put in first drop and higher if my appointment is later in the day. I have been told that pressures can fluctuate between doses. Don’t know if that is relevant here.
my appt was 8.30 am on Tuesday ☺️ I ho back in & weeks so will see if there’s an improvement x
I really feel for you &concerns=not an easy journey & all people you see seem to interpret stuff differently -guess cos even they dont really know & dont want to be blamed for guiding you in a certain way.Thing is when its YOUR eyes its only vital to YOU 24/7 & you feel very vulnerable.
I had the slt nearly 3 wks ago and now wish I hadnt as I am worrying cos tired eyes -right one esp & aches and feel tired eyes all time & right one a bit cloudy. I never worried bout my eyes before treatment but now so worried. Next appt 31 may but I have convinced myself there is a problem & triggered Glaucoma. From what i now understand eye pressure just like blood pressure varies throughout the day& suppose its whether you are at alower or higher blip in the day when you are checked- also stress anxiety seem to affect it . Thoughts with you .
Thank you. She has asked GP to prescribe Ganfort, I was using Latanoprost . Hopefully we will see a change with that x
I hope so for you .x
Hi, I can understand your concerns but this is normal and as outlined will change during the day. Try booking a test at a different time of the day.Although your eye pressure is high you will probably not see it get much lower than around 16 to18. Some of us have had pressure as high as 30 so around 20 is not that high but the lower the better.
It's difficult to slow down as you get older but this will help reduce stress and eye pressure. You need to research the medication prescribed it's now normally a generic version that can cause bad side effects. Unfortunately the NHS will prescribe the cheapest medication available not the best, you must research the side effects and insist on a branded product if you have side effects as outlined.
Just one thing to add to everything that has been said here, and that’s preservative free drops don’t come without issues. At my request, my consultant changed me from Ganfort (which, in combination with Simbrinza) had reduced my pressures from high teens to just above 10 - I have normal tension Glaucoma - to Fixapost but with a warning that preservative free is generally less effective. Sure enough, within a month, the pressures were back up to mid teens so I’m back on Ganfort.
It’s definitely a case of trial and error to get a programme that works but stick with it, I’m sure you’ll get there!
Thank you. I’m on Ganfort now and go back for a pressure chance early July so 🤞
Still worried 
Change in Eye Drops
new NTG diagnosis
Storing eye drops in the heat
