Confused

[Anderlay]

In 2021 I was told I had narrow angle glaucoma and would need laser surgery. I was scared to say yes so consultant said he would call me back in 2 months so I could think about it. I decided I would have to have it done, and was ready to say so when I returned to see him. However he said at the appointment that my pressure had not changed and he was discharging me. When I queried the fact he had said I needed laser treatment he said "you're an urban girl, you're never far from a hospital"! I'll be honest at that moment I was just glad I didn't have to have it done, but over time have grown increasingly concerned. I went back to my optician months later and he said he would refer me to another hospital. That consultant then said "that laser was not now the way recommended to treat angle closure" . I see on here regularly that people are getting treatment. I really, really don't want surgery, but am just confused as to what I have been told. Thanks for listening.

[Lovemy2woofs]

Hi , I was diagnosed with narrow angles in 2021 , at the moment no glaucoma .

At the time , I was also told that they no longer do laser on every case now ,seems that is now the new thinking, but as I was diabetic and need yearly retina screening which in involves dilation of pupils, it would be in my best interest .

I had it done and was discharged . So now just back to yearly checks with opticians . My eye pressures has not reduced .

on discharge was just warned about symptoms of a narrow angle attack , such as severe headache, halo round lights ,if that happens to go to an A& E . So do watch out for that.

I avoid as much as possible putting myself into situations that make my pupils dilate , so no longer go to cinema and am careful of any meds that cause pupil dilation .

Although I was told it was okay to use them after the laser , Im just not risking it .

I was unhappy at the quick discharge, as was hoping for initially 6 month check ups at hospital, then yearly , not just referred back to opticians .

As time has passed , I have just got on with life , though when my retina screen is due, I do panic , as just hope the eye drops don't trigger an attack .

The laser for it is called an irridotomy . It basically is a safety mechanism. The create a small hole, as back up for drainage , to help prevent an acute angle closure attack , but its not a 100% guarantee. If you search iridotomy on here, you can read where others have had it .

[Anderlay in reply to Lovemy2woofs]

Hi, thank you so much for replying. It is reassuring to hear that someone else has heard that they now choose not to always do laser treatment. There just seems to be no time taken by the hospital to reassure and advise. To be told I needed treatment then changed to come back in a year is such a big difference. You have reassured me that to leave it is not unusual, thank you. Knowing what to do and what not that to do is a minefield, no one said about avoiding pupil dilation as much as possible. I think I stress myself out needlessly. I am in a much better position than a lot of people on here, don't want to appear whingy, just so scared because hospitals never seem to have the time to explain. Thank you again very much, your reply has helped. I hope things continue well for you.

[swanlady123 in reply to Anderlay]

I totally agree with you re full explanations -they want you to sign youve read all the stuff but we are just trusting on what the experts tell us & they know way more than we do bout it all. Its awful feeling so vulnerable esp with eyes & very scary - I regret having slt -didnt work & back on drops but eyes not the same.

[Anderlay in reply to swanlady123]

Thank you for replying. I am so sorry treatment did not work for you. It must be so disappointing. There really seems to be a lack of time and information at consultations. As you say you do feel vulnerable concerning your eyes. They can't be replaced, but they tell you to go away and come back in 12 months, it leaves you feeling extremely vulnerable and scared. I really hope things improve for you. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.

[Lovemy2woofs in reply to Anderlay]

Thank you .

I totally understand your worries

If you go onto Glaucoma UK website or look on youtube for them, they do lots of videos. I have found them very informative

e.g : youtube.com/watch?v=p2namMY...(Not working as expected?)

[Anderlay in reply to Lovemy2woofs]

Thank you. I will have a look.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi. It is confusing. Robust research changes how treatments advance. Laser iridotomy years ago was always the first line of treatment. Now it is not necessarily seen to be necessary in all cases.

Risks are weighed up. Taken into consideration are things such as is the eye pressure normal or not, the extent of the narrow angle/angle closure, any optic nerve damage, any headaches or eye pain, family history of glaucoma.

It is now thought that by observing, if none of the above apply, is the approach to take. Whether that is at the a hospital appointment or optician's. Not everyone with narrow angles are going to develop primary angle closure glaucoma and infact has been found to be a very low proportion.

[Anderlay in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Helen, thank you for replying. Your explanation makes sense. At the time of appointment you don't always take things in, or ask the right questions. I have taken some comfort from your reply. Every appointment should have a Helen at the end of it 😊 Thank you again.