Trabeculectomy tips?

[RobMitchell]

Hi

I was diagnosed two or three years ago just prior to my 50th birthday. Drops have been ok but left eye seems to be deteriorating quite rapidly. I am having a trabeculectomy in my left eye in a couple of weeks. I know surgery is experienced differently for everyone but wondered if anyone had any tips? Thanks.

[BladerRunner51]

Hi Rob,

I’ve had both my eyes done now since about 2018/19 (I’m 54 now and have had glaucoma for over 10 years) The actual operations weren’t that uncomfortable to be honest. Recovery time was 2/3 months until the blurriness went away completely The only post op complications were some of the stitches sticking out in one eye, which was very uncomfortable but my consultant just pulled them out. Also, the pressure in one eye went up to over 30 but again, my consultant removed some stitches to loosen the bleb. The pressures in both eyes have now been very stable over the past few years at around 10 - 14 in both eyes which the clinic is happy with. Definitely worth having it done as I no longer need to use any drops.

hope the above helps and good luck with your op,

Stephen

[RobMitchell in reply to BladerRunner51]

Thank you so much, Stephen. I really appreciate that.

[BladerRunner51 in reply to RobMitchell]

No problem, Rob, I found this forum very helpful when I was told I would need trabs

[eyesong]

Bob. instead I chose Ahmed implant a year and half ago both eyes love the result. IOP went from 30 to 10 and you don't even feel them. Lots of implants to pick from.

[RobMitchell in reply to eyesong]

From 30 to 10? Wow, that’s great. Thank you!

[Rainyday2024 in reply to eyesong]

Hi, Following your implant, can you remember how long were you told to use your steroid drops for? Also, how many times a day? Can you remember how long you were told to use antibiotic drops for? Many thanks.

[RobMitchell in reply to Rainyday2024]

I’m due the trab on Thursday so I’ll let you know.

[floki7]

I had a trab 2 years ago under local anaesthetic in one eye, the op was not too bad had four injections in the eye prior to surgery, and only one hurt a bit, I could still feel the scalpel going in and over the eye but no pain with that, Only problem I have is it has left me needed a cataract removed which is a legacy of the op, Just follow the after op advice, and all should be fine. Would I have the other eye done ? At 73, no. Good luck

[RobMitchell in reply to floki7]

Ah that’s great. Thank you so much. Yes, they recently diagnosed cataracts so I suspect that op will come next. Really appreciate your reply, thank you.

[Cnut]

Hello,

I had a trabeculectomy in 2022. I was nervous. The hospital staff were very kind, put me at ease and I consider that my treatment was excellent and successful. The puzzling part was that the opticians I was using did not seem to realise that an eye needs a few months, I was advised three to four months to settle post surgery before a routine eye test is offered.

As others have recommended, follow the instructions that you will be given. I had two weeks off work and actually enjoyed the gentle hibernation this offered. My return to work provided lots of amusement to pupils as I sometimes needed to wear one pair of glasses over another to be able to read music until I was able to have new glasses with the right prescription. I had been a contact lens wearer and only used an old pair of glasses during the evening.

With best wishes,

Cnut

[RobMitchell in reply to Cnut]

Thank you so much. That’s incredibly helpful. I hadn’t really thought about how long the recovery might be. I think my driving licence expires in October. Hopefully I’ll be at my most optimum for the DVLA requirements!

[Mitziecat]

Hi Rob.

I had this surgery to both eyes. Left eye in 2021 and my right eye in January his year. Both surgeries went well and I chose to have light sedation in addition to the local anaesthetic. You are given specific post-operative advice and regular follow- up advice following the surgery and it is important to follow the advice and administer eye drops (very frequent initially) as advised. Vision is blurry initially but improves with time. The surgery did progress cateract and I had this removed 2 years a following surgery. Hope this helps and good luck with the surgery.

[RobMitchell in reply to Mitziecat]

Thank you. Thats very reassuring. The success rate does seem good. Fingers crossed and thanks again.