Care after SLT

[Leafy-]

Following a diagnosis of primary angle closure which caused pressures of 40 and 38, I had a laser iridotomy last September. I have no vision loss and I'm 51. This procedure and subsequent trials of both Latanoprost and Tiopex both failed to bring my pressures down sufficiently. They stayed at 26. My consultant suggested an SLT (360) and I had it done there and then in both eyes at my appointment last Tuesday. I had a pressure spike to 29 after an hour so my consultant has now prescribed Brinzoladmide twice a day along side Tiopex once a day until a week before my next appointment.

Has anyone any experience of taking these two drops together and is there a concern that as Brinzoladmide contains preservatives, that this will have an impact on the effectiveness of the SLT procedure as I know that an SLT is less effective on medicated eyes? I'm also aware that they are both beta-blockers.

On a different note, although the SLT procedure was painless, I had a lot of pain in one eye afterwards and severe sensitivity to light. The pain is fading slowly but it felt odd that I'd only experienced that in one eye. Does this sound normal? Both eyes are more red today and have stayed yellowish too.

Of note is that my consultant commented that new research had shown that an SLT should now be first line treatment before drops are commenced. Thanks all. 😃

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Leafy-

Brinzolamide is not a beta-blocker but Tiopex is. The Brinzolamide will not affect the SLT. If it did, your consultant would not have prescribed it.

Laser treatment can cause light sensitivity (photophobia). There are anti-glare glasses you can buy that will help with this. Wearing head-wear with a rim can also help.

As you have mentioned your eyes have become more red, I would suggest getting back to the consultant today and make them aware. You could be having an allergic reaction to the preservative in the Brinzolamide.

[Leafy- in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you.