To have operation or not!

[gsensicle]

Nov 2019

Bristol Eye referral from optician re poss Glaucoma.

Consultant said Both eyes Normal Pressure Glaucoma. Latanoprost drops,

1 drop in both eyes once a day and 2 Dorzolomide drops during the day.

Jan.2020 at Bristol Eye Hospital.

Consultant said the drops have brought the pressure down so keep using

them. Also inform DVLA which I did. They gave me a 3 year licence.

I continued with drops 3 times a day and getting apps throughout 2021 and

2022 when half of my right eye became blurred and I could only see

through the top half of that eye however my left eye is still seeing fairly

clearly. Then in 2023 I was told by the consultant that I should have an

operation on my right eye called an Aqueous Shunt or Trabuculectomy which would not cure

my Glaucoma but may slow down the progression. I looked up what the

Ops entailed and decided I was not keen on having this intervention even

though they said if I didn't have an Op I would prob lose the sight in that

eye. I said that as I am 88 years old I couldn't put myself through that

operation and in the end I was told that I would now be seen in a virtual

clinic in my home town and not in the Bristol Eye Hospital. I may regret

this decision but after all I will be 100 years old in 11 years time!

[Longwalks3]

Hi there, I guess it depends on your general state of health. Surgery is always daunting. I have had both the procedures you mention, one under local anaesthetic and one under a general. I am much younger than you but for me the thought of losing my sight was much worse than having an operation. Only you can make that decision for yourself. Both procedures are much worse in anticipation than in fact! I'll leave you with the final thought that my father in law recently had a pace maker fitted under local anaesthetic at the age of 96. It has greatly improved the quality of his life. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[gsensicle in reply to Longwalks3]

thank you very much Longwalks3

[Shrimpaki]

Hello,

I understand your argument, but I think it's not a matter of quantity (how many years you might have to live with proper vision) rather quality. You could try to put some glasses on and make very blurry the lens in front of your right eye to simulate a bit your future vision. Do you think that you could live like this, even for one month? Do you really want to feel more restricted and less independent the older you grow?

Maybe it is a good idea to discuss with your consultant or maybe a different one (private) what exactly bothers you so you make a more informed decision.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[gsensicle in reply to Shrimpaki]

Thanks for your reply, but there is a lot to go wrong with the op plus I am on my own and so would not be able to get to the hospital 20mls away or see to the aftercare of an operation. It was that really that put me off.

My right eye is blurry now anyway due to glaucoma but my left eye helps it along. Being profoundly deaf not helps either as I cant hear what the consultant or nurses say. Its a very difficult situation to be in. I feel that I would not want to be Deaf & Blind! Thank you for your help.

[Myrtle22]

Hi. Thank you for your detailed reply. I can understand why you chose not to have the operation. I hope your eyesight keeps ok for as long as possible. As I am over 20 years younger, then I think maybe I should have the operation, but not 100% sure.