sunisgod

[Sunisgod]

hi I have just been diagnosed with glaucoma but my eye pressures are normal although I have all the other symptoms. Been prescribed eye drops but reading about slt wonder if this is something I should be pursuing ? Would appreciate some thoughts

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

New NICE guidelines state a newly diagnosed or early stage glaucoma patient should be offered the choice of drops or laser.

Sometimes drops are prescribed first so treatment can begin and then discussed at the followup appointment. If they don't, it would be worth asking about it.

[Sunisgod in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you I will pursue this when I go back for follow up

[Beecalmed in reply to Sunisgod]

Agree with Trisha. Things have moved on in the last few years ago and now SLT should be offered as a first line treatment. I think drops get offered as they can be started immediately whereas SLT you might have to join a queue on NHS. No reason why you shouldn’t ask the question about SLT at your next hospital checkup.

As SLT has few side effects and is a relatively safe treatment for glaucoma there’s really no point in “saving” it till later.

Eye drops work for many, but also many like me are allergic to some of the ingredients.

[Dumyat26]

I was diagnosed 12 years ago.

When I was first diagnosed I had already lost 30% vision in left eye and 10% in right eye. My fault as had not seen an optician or had eye test for many years.(both from top down, so does not affect my driving)

I have been on various eyedrops over the years which have generally kept my pressures stable. However the consultant (Who I see annually) Decided a few years to give me SLT to reduce pressures which were in high teens. I have had this treatment twice in both eyes and pressures are currently stable at around 11.

I don't see why SLT would be necessary if pressures are stable. My understanding is that SLT can only be applied a limited number of times so should be kept back until necessary.

[Eahldt]

Through this forum I have learnt there is no standard for what is normal. It varies from person to person. I thought 15-20 was normal but suffered sight loss with this level of pressure. After surgery my levels are around 13 and there seems to be no further damage. Continuous use of drops keeps pressure at this level so if prescribed I would suggest, from my experience, that you use them.