gsensicle

[gsensicle]

I am 87, deaf and have glaucoma in both eyes since it was diagnosed in 2019 and I've been reading these posts with interest as they all seem to have the same glaucoma as me. However, my consultant has said that I should have an Aqueous Shunt or Trabeculectomy, maybe they are the same, I do not know as I can't get them to talk about it.

My right eye is half gone but left is holding its own at present. I am not keen on having any of these ops as I am on my own and would not be able to get to the hospital so many times or even be able to look after my eyes after an op. I do manage to get drops in three times a day so I just hope that they will work and keep the G at bay!! After reading about the problems after the ops it has not filled me with any wish to go ahead...after all, I will be 100 yrs old in 12 years!!!

[Cornwalleyes]

You may be lucky and stay on the drops, however, eventually they may stop working or start irritating your eyes, but that can be many years after you start taking them. I have had two trabulectomy and both went well, I could see just fine the day after and you just have to take different antibiotic drops for a while until your eye has recovered. There are follow up appointments to make sure the eye is healthy and recovering. Let’s hope you don’t need anything, but if you do, it’s really not too bad. Remember that most people who post on here do so because they have an issue or a combination of eye problems - there are many who just manage with the eye drops. 😊

[norfolkblade in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Remember that most people who post on here do so because they have an issue or a combination of eye problems - there are many who just manage with the eye drops. 😊

That is a very good point and perhaps needs to be reinforced a little more frequently on here.

[VerdiG]

well, I can empathise with how you feel about having surgery at your age. I wouldn’t have thought it was essential. I had a trabeculectomy on my right eye in 2020 and I wouldn’t have managed all the early morning follow up appointments and limited vision withou the help of a friend coming to stay. There are a lot of drops to remember as well. The eye hospital told me I needed it on my left eye last year. I went to see the private consultant that did the Trab on my right eye and he said no need for it yet. He also said that opinions between consultants will differ. If you can afford it a second opinion might help?

[gsensicle in reply to VerdiG]

Thank you VergiG, regarding all the Op after care you mentioned in your post I think I would def struggle to even complete half of it! Thank you very much for these points you made. Graham Sensicle

[Safehaven23]

Having had cataract removal dismissed I attended a different hospital where a Consultant actually suggested it in due course - on the grounds that this often helps to keep pressures down and said he would also put stents in both eyes for extra drainage at the same time. Cataract removal improved my vision at once - and the stents along with nightly Ganfort drops keep the pressures well down ever since. Had to use different drops for a few days afterwards to prevent any infection but that was all...I was told not to rub my eyes - which makes perfect sense of course - but apart from that I fell into the nightly Ganfort routine. My son had to come and take me for one check up - and that was it. I was perfectly capable of looking after myself afterwards - only wore the eye patch for the first day and night. As I had both eyes done a month apart I couldn't drive of course until the second one done and vision sorted with both eyes balanced again. I did not have an anaesthetic - the two procedures take about 50 mins. Not painful but some pressure when putting two stents in each eye. A lomg time to keep very still - had to concentrate on relaxing and remembering the benefits of all this once done! Having said all this - I had been on Ganfort drops for many years - til a Dr changed them to Azara which a year later disxovered not to work and made me feel unwell - one to avoid! Hence my pressures were all out for a while and different hospital and Consultant saved me in the end! Thank you Mr Nithy!

[Safehaven23 in reply to Safehaven23]

I am wondering if what he called Stents are the same as Aqueous shunts...would make sense so worth asking. Perisist if you have questions!

[gsensicle in reply to Safehaven23]

Hi Safehaven23, being fairly new here I have only just found your reply to my post and taking on board the ops you've had, I was wondering whether your age is anywhere near mine [88]. Thanks, graham sensicle.

[muddledme]

Hello gsensicle,

It must be a difficult decision to think about surgery when the surgeons do not discuss it.

Could you hear well enough to phone the eye clinic and ask if there was a specialist nurse who could explain your condition and need for surgery?

Glaucoma UK can be very helpful either by e mail or by phone [phone] or [e-mail].

I wonder if the hospital would keep you in overnight post op if you explained your situation ? Or perhaps you could ask for hospital transport for the various appointments, especially if it was organised well in advance.

I am nearly 75 and had Preserflo shunts in both eyes in 2020 and 2021 with a local aneasthetic. The shunts are a bit less invasive than Trabeculectomies but tend not to lower the pressures so well. Post op there are a lot of drops but these gradually tail off. It is also very important not to bend your head lower than your waist, do strenuous activities or carry heavy items. Is there any possibility of asking a friend to help if necessary, or even a temporary home help? Luckily my husband was very helpful but I found ways to do most things sticking to the rules and planning ahead. My favourite aid was a litter picker !

The surgery was interesting, not painful and everyone very kind. Now I do need eye lubrication for dry eyes but no more glaucoma drops which used to give me sore eyes. I still drive a bit and try and take care when out walking , I find small steps and uneven ground can be a problem , but otherwise I try and carry on as normal.

Some of the webinars on the Glaucoma UK website are very helpful ...and you can turn up the volume !!

Best wishes

[gsensicle in reply to muddledme]

Hi Muddledme, being fairly new here I have only just found your reply to my post and there are some very good points you make but I'm pretty sure that all that has to be done after an op would be beyond my capabilities. I cannot make phone calls as I'm not able to hear replies. I wish I was 75 again Lol. I think I would feel more confident. If I had an op I would have to have a geaneral as I am a very fidgety person and also have a nearly permanent cough which would no doubt upset the surgeon. However, you made some very salient points and I thank you for them. I will mull them over and see if I can come to a decision. Thank you, Graham Sensicle.

[Julunder]

I admire your courage and tenacity in dealing with your problems. I have had a shunt and two trabeculectomy operations. The shunt was a failure but the trabeculectomy ops worked in that the pressures in my eyes are under control without drops. The main problem I now have is dry eyes - chronically irritating. Follow the advice of your specialist and don't be afraid. Get his assurance that you will have some sight when you hit 100. All the luck in the world and good wishes.

[gsensicle in reply to Julunder]

Hi Julunder, thank you for your good wishes. I have written to my consultant re a poss Trab but can't help feeling unhappy about what happens after as being on my own I may find it hard to do everything needed. Thanks again, Graham Sensicle

[Safehaven23]

Just over 10 years younger gsensicle! Read Cornwalleyes below - the drops can work well for years - as Ganfort had for me once I was finally put on them! They try different ones initially to see what works or you. They are unlikely to suggest any other treatment unless your sight is deteriorating and they feel you will benefit from it. If the drops make your eyes red or sore do not hesitate to go back and get them changed for an alternative..sometimes we wait a year for next appointment to do this and not a good idea! I had been put on cheaper drops which as it turned out did not reduce my pressures and they were sky high a year later. I had to change hospitals to find a Consultant who was able to insist my GP put me back on Ganfort - which had been working well for many years...but a little damage had already been caused to my right eye by then. They also decided to remove my Cataracts at that point as that helps keep pressures down and the new lenses they put in our eyes are set to your last spec prescription...so could see much better then as a result. Initial hospital would never had removed the Cataracts as they said no where near bad enough as yet....ignoring the other benefits it would have. Thankfully new Consultant cared more for my personal welfare and I am grateful to him! Good Luck.

[gsensicle in reply to Safehaven23]

Thanks for your reply Safehaven23