Reaction to trabeculectomy

[Vanarama]

I'm 66 and it was decided that as drops were no longer controlling pressure, I needed to have trabeculectomy in both eyes. Had first op last summer but had a toxic reaction resulting in my eye being closed, severe reaction to light as well as constant irritation. 11 months later eye still not fully open and a cataract means not sure how effective my sight is. An eye lift is being suggested. Meanwhile no decision made about my other eye. Anyone else experienced any negative effects of this op?

[floki7]

Yes had a trab a couple of years ago, which has given me a cataract , sunlight is uncomfortable, with dry eye most days, and droopy eyelid, was told last August that an appointment to see a cataract specialist was needed, still waiting for that. So to sum up, if I need to have a trab in the other eye, it's not going to happen. Good luck.

[PBX142]

Hi, I've had a trab and it did lower my eyelid a little - it's called ptosis - and a procedure will correct that so it's worth doing, because that impacts on your vision. The point of the trab is to slow/stop progression by lowering eye pressure so if it has done that in your case, that's a positive! I've had cataract surgery too in the same eye. I do find that in daylight/sunlight I need to wear sunglasses and a hat with a brim. Wishing you luck going forward

[Cornwalleyes]

I’ve just had my second trab, all went very smoothly with the first one, second one has not been so straightforward as the consultant has had to tinker with the stitches, but apart from that both have been a positive experience and a relief from taking multiple drops three times a day. I think eventually your eyes can’t tolerate the drops so surgery has to be considered, but there are shunts as well as trabs. My consultant says any surgery increases the likelihood of cataracts but they are easy to remove. I hope your eye improves or they can offer you something to get your eye fully open again.

[stephanie1977]

Hi Vanarama, I guess a trabeculectomy like other ops can have complications and risks. Sorry to hear you are struggling ..I had a trab last summer too and they removed 2 stitches.. immediately after hypotony and had to have a second operation to fix that. After the pressure hung around 10 but I lived 6 months with poor eyesight until I got new stronger glasses. I also developed some double vision and have prisims. Then the pressure went up to 19-21 the bleb flattened and there's a built up of scar tissue and the cataract has gotten bigger. I'm back on 1 drop and am waiting for a cataract operation and then hopefully bleb needling to see if the bleb can be resurrected. So ya, negative things happen , but I think it's a matter of trying not to get discouraged and try to work at finding solutions as the problems arise...not fun for sure but is you pressure good?