A few questions about being a. ‘Glaucoma suspect’

[NCFCfan]

Hi, first post for me. I’ve been reading your messages since February and they have been very helpful so thank you all!!

This is the rather longwinded background:

My husband was picked up at a routine eye test as having some changes suggestive of glaucoma. He was seen pretty quickly (within 2-3 weeks) at one of our local hospitals. IOP both eyes was 28, no FH of glaucoma. He was given a leaflet about narrow angle glaucoma, but was told the treatment was to prevent him getting glaucoma, and that he should have LI within 4 weeks. He was put on Latanoprost. The hospital letters give his diagnosis as ‘Bilateral narrow angles / Glaucoma suspect/ ocular hypertension’. He was also told he has an early cataract although none of the letters have mentioned this.

He had bilateral YAG peripheral iridotomies 8 weeks later (which, contrary to most people on here, was a very unpleasant and painful experience) and his pressures came down to 14 and 15 afterwards. We were back at the glaucoma clinic 2 weeks later (April 6th) and his pressures were 10 and 11. He is to continue on Latonoprost and he will be reviewed every 6-8 months. I think he has been pretty lucky having NHS a treatment so promptly after listening to and reading other people’s stories. I went to his latest appointment with him and asked if he did have glaucoma - but was told he is a ‘glaucoma suspect’.

So a few questions:

I’ve read posts about exercise - he was told it’s ok to carry on playing badminton. He is an occasional runner (the odd Park Run but has in the past taken himself off and run on the Downs for an hour or two!) I don’t think he asked if that was ok. Anyone in a similar position who knows if this is likely to be a problem?

I was going to book him a back and shoulder massage - so he would be lying face down on one of those massage tables with a hole for your face. Is there any evidence about massage affecting IOP?

With regard to future travel insurance, they are bound to ask about recent treatment / ongoing appointments. Is an insurance company likely to understand the concept of ‘glaucoma suspect’?! Any experiences of what to expect about this will be gratefully received. He does have a couple of medical issues that we declare on travel insurance already (just in case) but hey are not major health problems. He is a pretty fit about to turn 66 year old.

As he has not been diagnosed with glaucoma we are assuming he does not have to inform the DVLA (thankfully having read peoples’ experiences on here). He was told he could continue driving and no mention was made of needing to inform the DVLA. He did leave a message on the ophthalmology secretary’s answerphone asking about this but had no response.

Thank you for wading through this missive!!!! I am grateful for any advice .

[Dorset22]

I can’t answer all your points but I was prescribed Monopost for raised eye pressures and told my travel insurers that I had raised pressures and this was fine. As long as you tell them, I think it should be OK. I go to the gym and use the treadmill and exercise bike but I think you have to be careful not to bend down too much or lift weights. I think the hospital would tell you if you shouldn’t drive.

[NCFCfan in reply to Dorset22]

Thank you!

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello there. Good to hear that he had received treatment promptly and that pressures are now lower than before.

Answers to questions:

1. I would say that he should be fine to play badminton and go on the occasional run, especially now he has had the LI and is only a glaucoma suspect. Strenuous exercise can be a problem as it can cause the eye pressure to increase, but I wouldn't class either of these as strenuous.

2. Massages are not a problem for IOP as such, but the positioning could be. Laying face down for a prolonged period of time on your front can cause an increase in IOP, so best to have one either sitting up or laying on your back.

3. It is recommended to let your travel insurance know. I would suggest telling them about narrow angles, as opposed to glaucoma suspect. It's best to be on the safe side just in case something happened while you was abroad.

4. He does not need to let the DVLA know for narrow angles or ocular hypertension. He will only need to let the DVLA know if he is diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes.

Hope that helps 🙂

[NCFCfan in reply to KieranGlaucomaUK]

Thank you so much, that is really helpful