Aqueous Shunt surgery recovery

[Mitziecat]

Hello.

I hope everyone is well.

I had surgery 5 days ago to insert an Aqueous Shunt in my left eye. I would be interested to know if anyone else have had this surgery and how the recovery period has been for them. The eye has been a bit sore and has the usual foreign body scratchy feeling. Also vision is still blurred but told it could take some time to clear. I have chronic uveitis in that eye so it can be troublesome at times. The pressure was good post surgery and I have another appointment on 01/07/24. Maybe I am being a little impatient with the recovery period. I have been using lubricating drops frequently to ease the scratchy feeling but would like to know how others have been with shunt surgery.

[whitedog]

Hi

I had a shunt inserted around 12 years ago. I also have uveitis in that eye which is primary to the glaucoma and which has made everything quite complex.

Five days is very early. My memory of the recovery is a bit vague now but I do remember even after a week my vision in that eye was very distorted - actually upside down I think!

It can take some time and the symptoms you describe are quite normal so be sure to take it easy - keep putting in the drops and avoid doing anything strenuous for the time being.

[Mitziecat in reply to whitedog]

Thank you for your reply. It is reassuring to know that the symptoms are normal. I am following all the post-operative advice & hoping the symptoms continue to improve. I hope your shunt worked well.

[whitedog in reply to Mitziecat]

They always tell me the shunt is in a great position but I still have to put glaucoma drops in - Cosopt twice a day and Monopost once. The balance between the three has kept my pressures stable for a good while now.

Take care and wishing you all the best.

[warwickshire_singh]

I had a Baerveldt shunt in December 2013 for Uveitic Glaucoma (Uveitis caused by Glaucoma (L)) I was off work for 5 weeks and took an extra week to be sure. your post brings back the memories. good luck for your recovery.

I have nothing but praise for Mr Velota Sung at BMEC for what he has done for me.

[Mitziecat in reply to warwickshire_singh]

Thank you and it sounds like the shunt has worked well for you. We are very lucky with treatment options that are available to help preserve vision.

[Wholeofthe]

Hi, curious to know how you are doing now? I have chronic uveitis too and will be having this surgery too. The scratching maybe from the stitches or drops. I have had multiple surgeries for unrelated detached retinas so the thorough of another survey is a little depressing. Also can I ask how old you are? I'm 59 and from what I have read will probably need this repeated later on. Thanks

[Mitziecat in reply to Wholeofthe]

Hi. I am now 8 weeks post shunt surgery and had an eye appointment last Monday. The doctor was happy with the progress but eye pressure had increased to 16 (this can be variable when checked with a puffer machine, as it reads higher than when the doctor checks it). Some sutures were removed and I was advised that the internal tube suture will be removed at my next clinic visit in 4 weeks and this will reduce the pressure . I thought this suture had to be removed in theatre as the pressure can drop suddenly. I would be interested to know if anyone has had this type of suture removed in the clinic. The eye scratchiness has reduced with the suture removal.

Interestingly, the pressure in my right eye was also raised to 21 (18 when checked by the doctor) and I had a trabeculectomy in January. I was advised to keep using one steroid drop a day to stop it healing over but expressed concerns that my eye would become dependent on it like the left one (I had no history of uveitis in that eye before the surgery). The consultant advised to stop the drops to reduce the pressure. I did so the following day and it flared up within 24 hours so returned to using the drops again. I would be interested in any advice regarding stopping the drops slowly. Do you have uveitis in both eyes and what treatment are you having for it. I have been advised that there is always the risk of the surgery failing due to the uveitis but it is necessary to preserve your eyesight. When is your surgery due? I am 68 and have had uveitis for 4 years. Sorry for the long reply and I hope all goes well with your surgery. I will also be keen to know how you get on.