Vision in the recovery weeks ( and long term) after a trabeculectomy.

[Cyclingalong]

I have had narrow angle glaucoma for over 10 years and despite years of drops and a laser iridotomy in both eyes my glaucoma is slowly progressing. My sight loss in my left eye is not too bad at all ( patchy small areas) but I do feel my central vision is not as good in my left eye ( no cataract or other issues with my left eye). The highest my pressures have ever been is 20-21 ( when I was 1st referred). With drops ( and then more drops added in over time) and after the iridotomy they are around 12-15 and that’s been the case for a few years now.

I have quite a large area of vision loss in my right eye ( also had a clear lens extraction “same as cataract surgery in reality “) in that eye in preparation for the next surgery ( trabeculectomy now planned for my right eye). The surgery has been mentioned as the next step for around 18 months so I’ve briefly discussed it and I will have an appointment with my consultant in a few months to fully discuss the surgery as I didn’t see him at my last hospital appointment but he reviewed all my results and I was informed by phone and letter that I now need a trabeculectomy for my right eye.

With my two eyes I can function fine and passed the DVLA test with no problems. I’m still working (early sixties) and have been told I’ll need several weeks off work after the surgery. I do need good eyesight to continue in my present job. I wouldn’t be able to manage with more blurry or very poor vision. I’m aware that the surgery will not reverse any sight loss in my right eye. I’ve found the Glaucoma UK leaflets and webinars very helpful with a lot of relevant information about the surgery and recovery period etc.

Im aware that everyone is different and there will be a range of experiences but my questions for those of you who have had a trabeculectomy are:-

How did you find your vision during the recovery period? At the moment I sometimes find that I’m closing my “ bad” eye to see text and print more clearly. I found this during the recovery from my previous lens replacement surgery as well. As the operated eye was more blurry for a while ( I also had the complication of corneal oedema) my vision was a mix of the two eyes and it was sometimes easier to shut out the blurriness even though my central vision didn’t feel as clear with my left eye only.

After the recovery period was your vision in the eye that had had the trabeculectomy the same as pre surgery or did you find it has changed or was more blurry or other changes ( allowing for the fact your glasses prescription could have changed post op so you had an updated prescription).

Thanks in advance for any advice, I know everyone’s recovery is different but I’ve not seen much information about what people’s vision is like in the operated eye after the recovery period (compared to how it was pre surgery).

[Cornwalleyes]

I was one of the lucky ones, I’ve had trabs on both eyes and in both cases the blurriness only lasted a a few days. After that my eyesight was the same as before and I didn’t need a new prescription afterwards. The eyedrops make your eyes blurry and as they are two hourly during the day, that can make you think your vision has changed, but so was reading and watching tv happily after 3 days.

[Cyclingalong in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Thanks for your reply. It’s good to hear that everything was straightforward for you and how your vision was afterwards.

[NewCardinal]

Hi - I've had trabs in both eyes and one eye redone subsequently. The blurriness afterwards lasted only about a week. I was very short-sighted to start with. Unfortunately after each trab my short-sightedness increased each time. Hopefully, though, the trabs will slow down more progressive sight loss. I'd rather be short-sighted than no-sighted. I hope your ops go well .

[Cyclingalong in reply to NewCardinal]

Thank you. It’s helpful to hear the experiences of others. I’d rather do whatever is recommended to try to preserve the sight I have. I have seen the steady progression of sight loss in my right eye over time . I think the enforced rest period will be the hardest part for me but hopefully I’ll be able to read and improve my piano playing and I’m getting some audio books lined up too. I’m aware that after every has settled down post op I may need a new glasses prescription too. My glasses prescription has been stable for a while so I’ll see what happens post op. Luckily my present glasses are fine for me, I don’t want to change them now and then have to change them again post op if I can avoid it.

[Peg99]

Sorry to be a party pooper here, and as you say, everybody has a different recovery period but...

I had trabeculectomies in both eyes - albeit a long time ago now - and I did not return to work (I was an office worker, just writing, reading and meetings) for 6 weeks though if I'm honest, I reckon I could have gone back after 4 weeks.

I was fine at home with the blurry vision, which wasn't at all bad after a week, but I worked in an air conditioned office that had no opening windows and I could not tolerate the atmosphere. I was fine when I did return and my actual vision did not change as a result of the trabs.

I never regretted my trabsand wish you Good Luck with yours.

[Cyclingalong in reply to Peg99]

Thanks Peg99. As my work can involve lifting and dust and dirt etc when I’ve discussed the possibility of a trabeculectomy previously with my consultant I’ve been told I’ll be signed off for 4-6 weeks to aid my recovery. Helpful to know in advance so I can plan ahead and my work knows what to expect too. I had to have more time off than some other people would after my clear lens extraction for the same reasons. I’ve been reading about people’s experiences and I’ve been overthinking the “ blurry vision “ part of the post trabeculectomy recovery period. It’s really helpful to hear different people’s experiences. Thank you for your sharing your experience.