Preserflo arranged quickly due to high pressure and drop allergy.

[bakethat]

Hello.

I was diagnosed with Closed angle Glaucoma in my right eye only 2 years ago and since then been on a variety of drops. After severe reactions I am currently allergic to all drops and a 5 week break has caused my pressure to go to 38! I have very quickly been booked in for a Preserflo op next Wednesday. I would like to ask anyone who has had this procedure how they got on. I understand it’s less invasive than some and a quicker recovery. I’m hoping this is the case as I am a widow and the sole carer to my physically disabled son. I have managed to arrange a care agency to support us for 2 weeks following for a few hours twice a day and I hope I can manage the rest of the time. I know I have to be careful not to lift and bend etc. can I ask how quickly others were able to recover and drive again etc. I am dreading the whole experience to be honest. many thanks.

[Moana64]

I had preserflo Microshunt in March, I also had many reactions to various drops, the procedure was fine under local anaesthetic even though I was apprehensive. The steroids afterwards gave me grief and my pressure was still too high, however I had to continue with these . As soon as I had finished the prescribed amount my pressure came dow to 13. It’s never been 13, so we are all very happy.

I do take 1 drop of Travatan at night, but all is well and finally under control.

I didn’t wash my hair under the shower for over a week, and then I just tilted my head back and managed, (have a towel handy just in case water drips down your face). From what I hear, Preserflo Microshunt is less evasive than Trabeculectomy.

Good luck, keep me informed how you go

[bakethat in reply to Moana64]

Thank you so much, that is really reassuring. Yes, I will post after the surgery about how it goes. Many thanks.

[Machicado in reply to bakethat]

I have open angle glaucoma. I had a Preserflo op on my right eye in February. It has halved my pressure from what it was. Op was fine with local anaesthetic. You have to put a lot of drops for some weeks after and there are a lot of follow up appointments so factor that into your planning.

Did not drive for at least a month and I would say it was three months to have sight back to normal. You may need new glasses but you cannot be assessed for that for at least three months after the op. Best of luck.

[bakethat in reply to Machicado]

Hi, thank you for your reply, I’m hoping I can get carers arranged for my son for the extra follow up appointments. I can’t take him with me if I can’t drive, I’m really hoping to get back to normal quickly although I know I’ll have to be careful. Not easy as a carer with no hands on family. One day at a time I think . Thank you and take care x

[muddledme in reply to bakethat]

Hello bakethat,

I would just add to the excellent tips above....

Please make sure that the hospital gives you plenty of post op eye drops , to last untill you can get fresh supplies from your pharmacy keeping in mind weekends and Bank holidays.

If you feel the cold then if you are lying still for the op ensure you have warm clothes or ask for blankets. The theatre staff will also give you some support under your neck if required to keep you comfortable.

Ask if you can have an emergency post op phone number for the hospital .

I had to be careful to keep the new eye drops away from the un operated eye , where possible I put different coloured bright tape on the dropper bottles.

Find out as much as possible before the op and ask the surgeon and nurses , they are often very kind and helpful.

Hope your Preserflo is as good as mine have been.

Best wishes for Wednesday.

[bakethat in reply to muddledme]

Thank you so much for replying and the excellent tips. It’s very reassuring to talk to people who have actually experienced the same thing. Good to know your Preserflo works well. Many thanks

[KayGeeBee]

I've had preserflos inserted into both eyes in the last year, about 8 months apart. I had sedation for the ops. The eyes were sore on the day but I was able to use them the next day and was able to look after myself. Vision fluctuated quite a lot over the first few weeks and I didn't drive for a couple of months. It takes a few months for the vision to stabilise.

The drops regime is quite tiring for the first month, with a steroid every 2 waking hours, antibiotics 4 times/day and a cream at night, so 13 drops per day. Plus any you need to take as normal for the other eye. I set alarms on my phone and it seemed like it was always going off!

There will be clinic visits every week or two for quite a while, and I also had a few extras when I was concerned about things.

Pressures now are about 8 and 6, the latter low pressure having caused some issues but they seem to be resolving. (My pressures on 3 meds before the ops were about 14 - I have normal tension open angle glaucoma). I currently take no glaucoma meds at all, having previously used up to 3 medicines for 12 years, so both preserflos are working.

It seems from reading posts that every eye is different so I hope you have a smooth recovery from your op - best wishes for that.