Appointment Update

[Mitziecat]

Hello.

Following my recent post about my dry eyes, I had my follow-up appointment on Monday nearly 4 months post right trabeculectomy & it did not go well. Had a visual field test and eye scan. No change to my right eye but my left eye continues to lose peripheral vision. The pressure was elevated even though I use Cosopt and Monopost as the trabeculectomy has now failed 3 years post surgery. I have now been prescribed Iopidine eye drops and schedule for an Aqueous Shunt in June. Has anyone had any experience of using Iopidine. I read that no alcohol should be consumed with it. I am not a big alcohol drinker but every time I research the effect on glaucoma, the information is not consistent. My advice from clinic is that it is ok in moderation.

The bleb in my right eye is working well I was told but the eye is trying to heal and form scar tissue so I had a steroid injection, plus one other and put on a reducing steroid regime over a six week period. I am a bit anxious due to my left being uveitic and now having to use a maintenance steroid dose long-term. I do not want my right eye to become dependent on steroids but appreciate that it is required currently. Unfortunately, a blood vessel was nicked during the injection so my eye is very red. Hopefully this will clear in a few days but no improvement so far. Thank you all for your responses and advice 🙂.

[Cornwalleyes]

I used Iopidine for several years, my consultant said it was fine to drink in moderation, no more than say a couple of glasses of wine. I did do that at weekends and it didn’t cause any issues for me. Hope that’s helpful.

[Mitziecat in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Thank you for your reply & it was helpful. Good to hear that you have had no issues with Iopidine. I am due to be away on holiday before my surgery & will have mocktails or alcohol free alternatives to be safe. I wouldn’t want any issues while away & only require Iopidine until surgery.

[Safehaven23]

All too technical for me to answer but if if you get any responses I will be pleased to read them as sounds very similar to my problem too - with the film growing over one eye which was damaged during cataract removal....

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi there. If you would like some more information about the aqueous shunt we do have a booklet on our website which can be viewed here - glaucoma.uk/product/aqueous...

For the Iopidine, it is advisable to steer clear from alcohol. The patient information leaflet says drinking alcohol can increase its effects. I would check with your specialist for some further advice about this and for recommended upper limits and their professional opinion etc.

They will try to ensure your uveitis and IOP are both managed. Steroids can increase the pressure but generally speaking they will not leave you running with high eye pressure. They might try other eye drops for your glaucoma alongside the steroids, and if they cannot control it with those eye drops then further surgery may be needed.

[Mitziecat in reply to KieranGlaucomaUK]

Thank you for the information regarding the aqueous shunt. It is good to know how it works & what to expect after the surgery. I really hope it can reduce my eye pressure.

I have read the information leaflet for Iopidine & will follow the guidance. My eye doctors have advised alcohol in moderation for my other eye drops but I didn’t ask about Iopidine.

I do attend different clinics for glaucoma & uveitis & hopefully they work together to manage both conditions. Drops alone is no longer effective. Due to the chronic uveitis that keeps flaring, the trabeculectomy failed after 3 years. Hoping the shunt might help for a longer period.