Post-op FAQs

[KieranGlaucomaUK]

Hello Glaucoma UK community,

I am currently in the process of creating a page on our website for the most commonly asked questions with regards to glaucoma treatments and surgeries.

As you might know, we operate a buddy scheme at Glaucoma UK, which allows us to put people who are due to have a glaucoma surgery in touch with someone who has already had it. This can allow them to ask any questions that they might have about the surgery.

For those who have had any laser treatment or surgery for their glaucoma, please could you comment any hints and tips you would give to someone who is due to have a treatment or surgery. Please could you include in your comment the type of treatment or surgery that you had as well, so we are able to differentiate between responses. We will then collate the responses and look at making a page on our website with this information.

Thank you in advance,

Kieran

[Rainyday2024]

Hello, Having recently had eye surgery for glaucoma (Paul tube implant) I would be very interested in talking to anyone who has either had this procedure in the past - or is waiting to have it done in the near future. I put off having surgery for several years because I was scared and also because I didn’t realise that my condition was getting worse every year I put off surgery! My consultant seems very pleased with my progress and yesterday I even felt brave enough to watch a YouTube video of a similar operation! After my surgery, there were many questions I wanted to ask, so I would try to find answers via Google and the various hospital websites, etc. I would be interested in becoming a Buddy for anyone in a similar situation ie awaiting surgery and worried, or recovering from surgery and wishing to share their experience. I don’t know how the scheme works - but please feel free to pass my name on to anyone you feel might benefit from a chat! Kind regards, Gill

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator in reply to Rainyday2024]

Hi Gill - thanks for your comment. Please send an email to [e-mail] so we can send you a form to be completed to become a buddy.

[Rainyday2024 in reply to KieranGlaucomaUK]

Hi Kieran, Thanks for your reply. I have sent an email as requested. Regards, Gill

[muddledme]

Hello Kieran,

I was helped myself by having a Buddy with all sorts of tips ,some of which I pass on now to other people having eye surgery.

Having had Preserflo shunts in 2020 and 2021 I can still remember some things that I found important.

1. The L. Anaesthetic given just prior to surgery felt like mild pressure around the eyes but afterwards I felt very little. If anything begins to feel painful just sign carefully and request some more anaesthetic, which works very quickly.

2. It is important to get really comfortable pre op so I asked for some support for my neck and extra blankets as you will be lying still for about 45 minutes.

3. After lying flat during the op you may feel a bit wobbly afterwards so sit up slowly and move carefully. I was pushed back to the ward in a wheelchair for the first time in my life!

4. Check the amount of post op medication is enough to last until you are able to obtain more from your pharmacy, especially important to cover weekends and Bank Holidays. Also ensure you understand exactly how and when the drops are used. Check you have got the correct drops.

5. Very important to have post op instructions eg; keeping eye dry, wearing the eye shield at night to protect the operated eye, not carrying heavy objects, keeping head above the heart, Continue treating the unoperated eye as usual if needed, but be careful not to mix up the different drops between the eyes.( I needed to put some coloured tape on some bottles so I remembered) Ensure you have a 24 hour emergency phone number post op for any worries. Make sure you have some Sellotape or adhesive plaster to stick your eye shield on securely at night and some Paracetamol just in case the eye is sore.

6. If possible prepare some easy meals pre op so you have little cooking for several days. May be worth buying a FRIO wallet which keeps drops cool and handy if you are away from home ( available from Glaucoma UK or on the internet ) I found using cool drops ensured I knew when they had gone into the eye and they seemed to soothe.

7. As you will have one eye totally covered post op do if possible plan for someone to meet you and take you home. A peaked hat may help on a sunny day. Take care on landings and stairs with extra night lights etc. I also used a Litter Picker for when I dropped things and an old walking stick if needed. Take great care not to accidently get dust or soil in the eye as they may contain dangerous germs.

8. When the dressing was removed post op I was worried at seeing everything at slightly strange angles, this gradually improved over several days but the surgeon said it was not unusual.( It only happened with the first op).

9. Do keep a careful record of all the post op drops as they are frequent for about 2 weeks then they are usually gradually reduced. I had a chart which I found essential.

10. I found a few low stools were helpful , so I could sit down to load the dishwasher etc, but be careful to then tuck them away so not a trip hazzard.

11. The hospital staff are usually very kind and willing to answer questions , I found the surgery an interesting and straightforward experience , FAR better than I had imagined.

[Rainyday2024 in reply to muddledme]

Hi, I enjoyed reading your comments and found them very interesting and helpful, especially after undergoing eye surgery a few weeks ago! I have today sent a request asking if I can become a Buddy as it would be great to share experiences and help others. Regards, Gill

[muddledme in reply to Rainyday2024]

So pleased to hear you will be a Buddy. Hope you also find it very interesting and enjoyable. As you have recently had surgery it will all be up to date. I sometimes have a job to remember now, luckily I have a notebook !