SLT is an option?

[morgan54]

Hi all,

I have been diagnosed 'Ocular Hypertension' (27/23). I have started Latanoprost but quickly started quite bad reaction ( shortness of breath, palpitation, tight throat etc), ended up calling ambulance par instruction from GP practice. I had tried "Timolol" before Latanoprost and experienced dizziness , so I stopped. I'm now so scared of using eye drops. I have read about SLT. Would it be an option?

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi Morgan54. Sometimes it is trial and error with eye drops until you find what works for you, so definitely discuss this with your eye specialist to try something else. SLT can absolutely be an option for ocular hypertension, especially if the drops are not working for you.

[JustAmanda in reply to KieranGlaucomaUK]

I too have ocular hypertension, which has been well managed with Monopost for about 4-5 years.

I’m sorry to hear about your side effects and you’ve now got me wondering about a few strange symptoms I’d put down to age, even though I’m very fit and active! Sometimes I can be on an average length hike and simply feel I’m running on empty and going to faint. I think I need to read the small print now!

I was offered SLT but because the drops were working decided to remain with that option. But they certainly offered it for almost identical pressures to your own.

I think you could ask - and certainly explore your options.

[morgan54 in reply to JustAmanda]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply my post! You are so lucky with eye drop. I wish I could have continued eye drop with good result. But that was such a scary incident which I would never want it happen again!

I have an appointment with consultant the end of month. I'll certainly discuss with him about other options. Would SLT be offered on NHS?

[JustAmanda in reply to morgan54]

Definitely free on the NHS. Good luck.

[sheelc]

Hi, I have ocular hypertension and was offered SLT after a few months on Latanoprost which I was able to tolerate. My SLT was successfully carried out, not painful and reduced the pressures, but I haven't had my check up yet as the hospital is running behind with appts. If they do offer it to you I would definitely think about it, especially if you can't tolerate drops, however, it doesn't work for everyone. As Keiran has said it is trial and error with drops, hopefully you will have a successful resolution to your problem. Good luck.

[morgan54 in reply to sheelc]

Thank you so much for your reply! Were you able to stop eye drop altogether after SLT?

[sheelc in reply to morgan54]

Yes, no drops for the time being, however, that may change depending on the check up. SLT is now a first line of defence for OH and can be repeated if it doesn't work initially or wears off. My pressures were 28/34 and were reduced to 19/20 straight after and lower still when I went to see the optician. As I said, it doesn't work for everyone and can wear off over time but it was a risk I was willing to take, time will tell, for me, whether I need a repeat procedure. I would say the only downside to drops and SLT is that I now have to take dry eye drops 4-5 times a day, however, as I'm 67 that may also play a role in dry eyes!

[morgan54 in reply to sheelc]

Many thanks for taking time to reply to my post! It's very reassuring. I'm aware SLT doesn't work for everyone and can wear off over the time. However, I would take that risk, compared to the horror I was gasping for the air in the middle of night when I had a bad reaction to Latanoprost! I already take dry eye eye drop anyway (I'm 70). Thanks again!