I have been monitored for past year or so for possible glaucoma because of raised eye pressure. 28 in left eye and 24 in right eye today increased from February when it was 22 and18. I have had raised eye pressures each visit. Today the doctor has decided I need to use Monopost eye drops because there is some evidence of damage to my left eye. I really wish I could have someone to clearly explain what is happening to me because I tend to rely on the internet to find out. I am 72 and as far as I know there is no history in my family of glaucoma. I have had pvd in both eyes several years ago and I am short-sighted having worn glasses since the age of 10. I am pre-diabetic and a recent eye test suggested macular degeneration in the same eye but I have been signed off for this currently. As I understand it, I am not being treated for glaucoma but just eye pressure currently but I expect this will happen eventually. I am nervous about the drops and the outcome for the future. Very worrying.
Monopost and eye pressure: I have been monitored... - Glaucoma UK
Monopost and eye pressure
you have glaucoma. You have had glaucoma ever since you had increased pressure(above 21). Every day you continue to have increased pressures you are at risk of further damage which may result in loss of vision. You need to be very vigilant and actively reduce your pressure.
Thank you. I don't know why my previous consultations at the hospital didn't say that. Instead I was told that I my eye pressure was high but there was no obvious trace of glaucoma " ocular hypertension, upper end of normal with marginal reduction in left optic disc" but I was being monitored. Hopefully the eye drops will help. I go back in six weeks.
There is no such thing as a “normal “ pressure of 28. It is a very high number and needs to be treated aggressively with drops and if that fails maybe laser treatment.
Hope the drops work. Thank you for your advice.
It's not a very high number - it would be for some people, but not others!
Hi! Actually I was led to believe you can have a high IOP and not have Glaucoma. Glaucoma diagnosis is reached when there is damage to the optic nerve. There are a few other factors that can also suggest glaucoma. High IOP alone is not a diagnosis of glaucoma, it is called Ocular Hypertension. Some people do have naturally high eye pressures without ever getting damage to the optical nerve.
Drops and laser treatment may be prescribed for ocular hypertension to lower the pressure but that does not mean there is glaucoma, unless there is nerve damage. The poster’s consultant has said there are “signs” that there might be glaucoma developing. It’s a different thing.
We all get hung up on IOPs that high is not “normal” and “low” is better. We are all different. The skill of a Glaucoma consultant is to monitor a patient to ascertain at what level their particular eye pressure may cause damage. Some patients develop glaucoma at very “normal” or low eye pressures. Conversely some people with pressures of 25 or 28 never develop glaucoma and their eyes just are happy and healthy at high pressures.
I felt I had to correct your ascertains as glaucoma treatment is much more nuanced for each individual. We need to be mindful in the advice we give that we don’t cause more anxiety. The poster is clearly being monitored well and is receiving sensible treatment. I would reassure Dorset22 that it sounds like she is in good hands and to follow the advice given by her consultant. 🙂
So does that mean also that if drops don't control it, you can have to have Glaucoma operations, such as a Trab without having Glaucoma? Also if her vision is getting damaged and pressure rising, it sounds a bit like horses for courses, as the treatments are Glaucoma based anyway, or is this type of condition not chronic?
If the drops fail to control pressure, you will have an operation or laser to control the pressure so the eye won't develop glaucoma. Thinning of the optic nerve alone or high IOP alone or large cup-to-disc ratio or visual field defects alone don't mean glaucoma always. It's a combinatorial diagnosis.
Hi Frankthebank! Just spotted your reply was to me. I don’t know the answers to your questions as I’m not her consultant. 🙂 I just think sometimes we over simplify glaucoma to being about raised eye pressures, which it is not. My consultant has asked me not to become fixated on pressures as they do not tell the whole story though they are a useful trigger for someone to be checked out. It’s what’s going on in the eye that forms a picture of whether glaucoma is developing or is suspected. If there’s no damage to the optic nerve happening I’d have thought a consultant would not do a trabulectomy. (But might offer SLT as it is low risk). If they had other signs that glaucoma was developing quickly though, then they might offer more invasive treatment.
They will try different drops...some are awful and you end up with red eyes...etc...go back at once if so - and no reduction in pressure. The one I have been on for years - and had to be put back on to after one hospital changed it to a cheaper one which did not work and can cause other serious health problems (!) for well over a year due to poor appointment system - finally got put back on the Ganfort which worked perfectly and still does - with no side effects. I had to have SLT initially to bring the pressures down from the sky high they had rocketed to during that period on different drops. - well worth having. Always worth googling the name of any drops that are causing you problems,..especially if begin with an A...some should be avoided!
I don’t think she has glaucoma.
I have ocular hypertension and have been on Monopost for years. According to my consultant, while ocular hypertension can cause glaucoma, it doesn’t always. My understanding is that it has to begin to damage the optic nerve.
I’m actually at the hospital today, so will be checking, but until now the Monopost has been managing my pressure satisfactorily,
That's thankfully not true. You can have raised pressure with healthy optic nerves. Many people have raised pressure alone. My pressures were 46 before surgery with raised pressure only and absolutley fine optic nerves. This lady/chaps consultant has gave him the correct advice please don't be scaring people by telling them they're consultants are wrong. 7 drops didn't work for me neither did SLT twice. I had surgery in both eyes and still do not have a diagnosis of glaucoma. I'm not saying I never will but even with 46 pressures. I don't. Fingers crossed this lady/chap gets sorted x
You have not had glaucoma because your pressure was above 21. That’s utter nonsense. Loads of people have raised pressures above 21 without optic nerve damage. They go through life as ‘glaucoma suspects’ and never need treatment.
I do actually feel better when I don’t use the Monopost which makes my eyes red initially overnight and dry in the day. I would prefer not to have the drops but I will see what the next review says. My pressures did go down slightly after 6 weeks of use but will see what happens after six months. Thank you for your advice. I can only listen to doctors but now I know a bit more about it I can question them.
Hello there, I take monopost eye drops, one drop each night for occular hypertension.I do not have glaucoma at the moment.I have worn glasses for short sight since I was 14, I have had cataracts removed from both eyes and a detatched retina in one eye.My raised pressures of 24 in one eye and 26 in the other were discovered during a routine opthamologist appointment for my thyroid eye disease.This makes eyes bulge forward among other things.My dad has glaucoma so as a precaution I had all the tests.I was then put on the drops in January as the pressure was still high.I returned in May and my pressures have reduced and they say I do not have glaucoma at the moment but I have to continue on the drops for the occular hypertension and hopefully prevent glaucoma in the future.I am to return in a year.I was happy with the result but do agree that their medical terms are sometimes confusing and not explained very well.I hope my story gives you a bit of reassurance.I have got used to putting my drops in and it becomes a habit like brushing your teeth.I use a mirror and pull my lower eyelid down and put my drop in the little pocket it makes.Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for replying. Yes, I have found my appointments very confusing as I see different people each time and have been told different things about my eye pressures. I get told the doctor will explain it to me but this never happens in an understandable way. I guess they don't always know themselves. Six months ago a nurse told me to take the drops if they were offered and now I have finally been prescribed them today. Thank you for your positive message and I hope I have a good outcome like you. I do find this site so helpful and it helps to relieve anxiety.
Yes the site is so helpful to share experiences.
I was diagnosed with ocular hypertension earlier on this year . I have no damage to my eyes and my pressures were 23 when last tested . (They said they now treat pressures of 23 as normal). They were about 26 initially on eye exam. I have not been diagnosed with glaucoma as there is no damage to my eyes . I think they call it “ glaucoma suspect “I am on monoprost and have regular checks at the eye clinic . I also have PVD.
Thank you for your interest. Did you get any side effects from Monopost drops? I have read that they can change your eye colour and thicken eyelashes, cause irritation.
Ooh yes, lovely thick dark eyelashes after 2-3 months.That's a lovely benefit as far as I'm concerned.I think the darkening of eye colour can sometimes happen with lighter eye colours but since my eyes are dark brown I haven't noticed any difference.I have the preservative free drops.They are in little single use capsules and not in a bottle.I have been given these because I have another eye condition which causes my eyes to be dry, red and gritty and preservative free has less chance of causing irritation.I have had no problem at all.If you have been given those in a bottle and you find they cause irritation you could ask to be swapped to the preservative free ones.My dad uses the bottle and has no problems, but we are all different.Best wishes to you.
Oh, I have hazel eyes so I guess they might turn brown. Lashes sound interesting so long as they aren't butterfly ones. I've just picked up my capsules so hope they agree with me. Many thanks.
No not butterfly ones, just more defined😁
Hi , I’ve had no problems the Monopost . I think my eyelashes may be a bit longer , but my eye colour has not changed . I have blue eyes and from what I have read it doesn’t normally affect blue eyes . I’ve heard some people mention it can make your under eyes dark so I protect them with eye cream or Vaseline before I use it . I was originally given latanoprost but it made my eyes very sore and red so I was switched to Monopost after about a month . It’s very worrying the diagnosis, although I mainly now try to keep calm , use the drops every night and only get anxious when I nearing my routine eye exam - waiting for them to tell me my pressures!
Thanks for the advice. Does the cream get in the eye at all? It is very worrying, particularly as I have had this hanging over me for the past year and have been told different things about my eye pressures every few months. At the same time, I was being seen for possible Macular degeneration, also in my left eye, discovered at my diabetic eye test, as I have pre-diabetes. Very similar eye tests were performed and I really wondered why the different departments didn't liaise. I have been currently signed off for Macular degeneration but I can't help but wonder if I will get a diagnosis for that in the future. My Specsavers optician tells me I have nothing to worry about from tests taken at the opticians and I have shown her the hospital letters. So much focus on my eyes. All this has happened in a short space of time. I am grateful for getting the medical help but it is a lot to deal with. I hope my eye pressures go down. Good luck with your eye examinations.
yes thicker eye lashes and brighter eye colour. I have glaucoma and low pressures in both eyes . Diagnosed after having a bleed at the back of the eye on the optic nerve.
I know you’re not asking me that question but I’ve been on Monopost for about 4 years. They’ve reduced my pressure by about 10 - 12 points to 14 and 12, but my eyelashes and eye colour are no different. To be honest I’ve felt no side effects whatsoever, and the hospital are still confident that I only have ocular hypertension. And, yes, they confirm that it doesn’t automatically mean one will get glaucoma.
Yes that is what they said to me.No glaucoma at the moment but continue with drops as a precaution due to raised pressure and my family history.I'm glad it was discovered to be honest, prevention is better than cure.Wishing you well.
Hi - I have raised pressure but no sign of glaucoma yet thankfully. Lots of people are put on drops because of raised pressure without having glaucoma - it is to prevent it, so it might be that you don't yet have glaucoma but of course you should use the drops as prescribed.
I was prescribed Latanaprost in November 22 and this was then changed to Monopost which is the preservative free version. I do the drops lying down! Don't forget to press at the side of your eye socket by your nose for a couple of minutes to stop the drops draining away too quickly. If you find it difficult to do the drops there is a little gadget called the Thea Eyot which is supposed to help, but I didn't find it very helpful!
hi Dorset22
I’ve been using latanoprost eye drops since February 2023. Im 65 and I have suspicious discs and a family history of glaucoma ( mother who was diagnosed with glaucoma in her 40’s and is now 93 ) and when prescribed my pressures were 22 in both eyes.
At follow up , 8 weeks later, my pressures had dropped to 14 and 10, my eyes had gone from unstable to stable and my diagnosis is Disc Asymmetry. At no time have I been told I have glaucoma, I’ve been told I’m being treated , because of my high pressures and family history of glaucoma, as a preventative measure, and I was also told not everyone with high pressure will go on to develop glaucoma.
I understand that having to use the eye drops can initially be alarming, but the benefit of reducing eye pressures is avoiding further damage to the eyes and is well worth it. It has just become a part of my night time routine, cleanse, moisturise , clean teeth and put in eye drops.
Hopefully, once you get used to using the drops your anxiety will lessen. Sending all good wishes.
Thank you for your advice. I don't know where my possible glaucoma comes from. Not in the family as far as I know. Many thanks for your good wishes.
Hi Dorset22. Your situation is very similar to mine apart from macular and I am on Latanoprost for ocular hypertension. you can, indeed, have raised pressures but no glaucoma, although it is in my family, not all go on to develop glaucoma. I have been offered SLT laser and am booked in for that but it doesn't work for everyone, prevention, though, is no bad thing so I learn as much as I can to make informed choices and this site has helped me too. The drops are a faff to start with, but as others have said, once you're in the routine it's fine and they've helped with lowering my pressures so far. I'm hoping the laser will work and get me off drops, but if not then as long as I'm being monitored I try not to worry too much. Hope all goes well for you.
Hello,
I have recently had a form of trabeculoctomy, the preserflo microshunt. I'm only 34, my pressures were 46 in both eyes. I've had high IOP since being very young but after trying all the drops possible it wasn't coming down.
SLT twice did not work for me
For me personally the surgery went ok but recovery seemed to take forever. I have two young children at home so I guess it seems even harder. Very painful for at nearly 3 week. Couldn't open the eye. Then vision didn't return in the eye for a further 3 weeks at least. I was only allowed 4 weeks between each eyes surgery as my vision would go. So I struggled whilst having the 2nd one done initially.
Only started driving again after 4/5 months
I don't have glaucoma and healthy nerves so I'm told, ocular hypertension alone.
After around 3 weeks on my second eye I also developed ulcers which needed scraping off.
My pressures are now at 9, 5 months post op and although they're still very achy and I cannot rub them, my eyes still look much more closed than before and get tired. But my vision is ok. I have booked to have them retested now as I think the over use of each eye hasn't helped.
I do admit I really struggled with the acetzolomide it was needed 4 times a day and it was horrendous I needed to sleep come lunch time, made me grey and generally feel rubbish. I had to have this 4 weeks prior and then in between surgery to each eye as it was so high. Stick with it though. Steriod drops are every 2 hour for a month after surgery then drops to every 4 hour for a further month stick to this too as you can tell a difference of you haven't had them on time.
Hope it all goes well x
So sorry for all the treatment you have been through. It must be difficult to cope with having two young children too. I hope things get better soon. Thank you for replying to my post. I haven't had any symptoms but I understand that is the norm so I am lucky the raised pressure been diagnosed. Hope the Monopost works for me. I only have to use it at night at first.
Hello, I am 65 and I also had high pressure for 2 years and they gave me monoprost. that stopped working and then it became glaucoma as my eye pressure reached 28.Please insist on having selective laser treatment, it's called SLT it's the first line of treatment that they are now doing instead of giving people the drops first.
Please read my posts on SLT I had the procedure two years ago and my pressure reduced I still continue to take the monoprost.
Do not worry. Valfrance
Hello.
I can see you have had lots of helpful replies, but some, not as correct as they could be.
When a person is diagnosed with Ocular Hypertension, it means they can tolerate a higher pressure as you have thicker corneas, against someone with thinner corneas who can't.
The comment that told you that you had glaucoma once you went over 21mmHg is not strictly true. I have spoken to many people with OH, with pressures much higher than 21mmHg who have no signs of glaucoma, but they are given drops as a preventative to stop glaucoma from developing. Everyone is different.
There may not have been any signs of glaucoma at your February appointment and it has developed between then and now. IOP ranges between 10mmHg and 21mmHg
Sometimes, if someone is ocular hypertension, no treatment is needed but monitoring is important. As your IOP had risen so much within this time, it has encouraged early stages of glaucoma. Your consultant has prescribed you these drops to reduce your IOP and reduce the risk of anymore progression. The good news is, even though it may not feel this way, is that you were being monitored, so the signs of glaucoma have been picked up in the very early stages which is always a good thing.
Hi, that is what I understand , although my hospital said they now treat 23 as a normal pressure , although high of normal . I have thick corneas ; I didn’t understand it at first but then researched it . Initially on first exam the doc said it’s good if you have thick corneas and not thin ones and the good news is that yours are on the thick side . Thanks for your advice
Yes, I have to accept that it is a good thing that it has been picked up and hopefully it will improve. It seems to be variable as to outcomes and each case is different. I don't think that the medical profession realise the worry that a diagnosis can cause to patients. I have been told something different at each appointment about whether I had glaucoma or not. They deal with it all the time, but for the new sufferer it is an unknown situation. Thank you for the advice.
Re: "When a person is diagnosed with Ocular Hypertension, it means they can tolerate a higher pressure as you have thicker corneas, against someone with thinner corneas who can't." Where did you get this nonsense from? Thicker corneas won’t help you to tolerate higher pressure but will affect the measurements. Thick corneas result in higher eye pressure measurements than thinner ones. For example, if your corneal thickness is 560 micrometers, compared to the average corneal thickness of around 540 micrometers, it could potentially affect the intraocular pressure measurement by around 2-3 mmHg. Doctors should take this into account, but I have yet to see this. Instead, they are also spreading nonsense that thick corneas protect eyes from glaucoma.
Hello Dave,
My previous post mentions thicker corneas can tolerate a higher IOP. At no point did I mention a thicker cornea protects the eye from diagnosis. The information we give is correct, and we research for further information if needed before replying to a post. Please see two studies that you may find interesting.
Hey, I'm 33 and have been monitored for the last 3 years due to high pressure in the eyes (24/28)i have also been wearing glasses since i was 11. I don't have diabetes and no family history of glaucoma.Its nothing to worry about, I was told its the science of your body, you may have high eye pressure but never develop glaucoma. Our bodies might be able to with stand these pressures. My doctor said regular checks will ensure it wont damage the nerve, ive been told iv had high pressure since i was 21 but never really got it treated till now!
They also gave me monopost drops to reduce eye pressure but these didn't work so they moved me to tiopex. The tiopex drops didn't work either but I had SLT whoch seems to do the trick.
Ask you doctor for SLT, it takes 10mins and is painless. You still might need to continue taking the drops but at least it will bring it down a bit more.
Let me know if you want more info.
I was so scared when I first had to start taking drops and delayed the SLT. My boyfriend used to have drag me into hospital crying.
Thank you. I've just started the Monopost drops so hope they reduce my eye pressure. My eye pressures have gone up and down but generally always in the twenties over past year or so. Only detected due to diabetes eye test last year when further investigation was required. I have had pre-diabetes eye tests over the past 10 years. It is frightening when you aren't sure what is going to happen next but grateful I am being monitored, even if I don't always understand what is going on as I have been told different things by different medical staff. That is why this site is invaluable.
To the best of my limited knowledge, "glaucoma" used to mean "elevated IOP", this definition can still be found on the internet. The current definition of glaucoma is "damaged optic nerve". It's an important difference if the patient has a UK driving licence: glaucoma in both eyes means that the DVLA could invite the patient to take a visual field test at Specsavers, with the possibility of subsequently revoking the patient's driving licence.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Monopost and dry eyes
Monopost drops eye problem
Administering Monopost single eye drops
Eye exercises to reduce pressure
Can high eye pressures be normal?
Eye pressure reading equipment question
Starting again! Why pressure in one eye only?
Eye pressures
Cataract surgery for eye pressure.
Diamex tablet treatment for lowering high eye pressures
