Eye pressure query!

[Quantam]

Hello, I have just been to Specsavers for an Oct scan and pressure check up as it's been a year and six months since I had my last appointment at the eye hospital. My pressures were 19 and 21 the last time but now both eyes are reading 26 after chasing the hospital up they will now see me on the eighth October. Does anyone know if my eyes are in danger of deteriorating by waiting a month to be seen at those pressures or am I worrying unduly? I have primary open angle glaucoma Any advice helpful

[PeterRabbit62]

Hi I have open angle Gluacoma and I have recently have a gluacoma operation on my left eye due to high pressures at 30, we are now in September so another 3 weeks we will be in October, not much consolation I know, because it is a silent disease. If you sadly find that your eyesight is getting worse, eg, losing sight, go back to them before that date, best wishes for October

[Quantam in reply to PeterRabbit62]

Thanks for your reply, it could be worse some people have been waiting months to be seen!

[PeterRabbit62 in reply to Quantam]

Too true.

[Lovearoastdinner]

I had a Trabeculectomy in June. My pressure was very low. On 1.8.24 it was 9. I am not an expert, but yours seem high. Worth checking with your doctor or eye clinic or even optician. Good luck.

[Peg99]

Hello Quantam,

Sorry to hear that your IOPs were 26 when you visited Specsavers.

There may be many reasons why your pressures were higher than in the past and it may be that it is only temporary - let's hope so. You mention that you had an OCT - did that show any deterioration?

I have had normal tension POAG for 39 years and have had many occasions when the pressures have been higher than desired. I have learned that it is a good idea to get another pressure test a day or 2 later and also try different times of day (IOPs can be higher in the morning). Also, you might find that opening new bottles of drops might help and of course, don't worry about the increased IOPs 'cos that will surely make them higher! (Easier said than done, I know.)

As to the likelihood of your eyes deteriorating while waiting for your hospital appointment, nobody can really tell you the answer to that: we are all different and there are so many variables that could affect that. I have always been told by Consultants that it takes at least a few weeks for higher IOPs to affect your eye sight.

You have obviously done the right thing by making an appointment for October and while waiting, I suggest you rest as much as possible, take extra special care when putting in your drops and try not to worry. It might also help you to have at least weekly pressure tests (on a Goldman) between now and your apointment so you can give the hospital a record of your pressures. That way, you can establish whether your 26 reading was a blip or whether there is something needing to be done for the management of your POAG. If a change of drops/additional drops/a procedure is necessary, you will have cut down the monitoring period necessary and can hopefully start a new management programme straight away. It will strengthen your case for action by the Hospital and stop them fobbing you off.

I really do feel for you as it has happened to me many times and it is a worrying time. However, I can tell you that I have not lost any eye sight since first diagnosed: a change of drops/additional drops and diamox capsules have kept me going and I wish you good luck with your appointment in October.

Best Wishes,

Peg

[Quantam in reply to Peg99]

Thanks for your reply,I am indeed getting my pressures checked again next week.The result of my OCT scan showed very little if any change from previous scans so I am optimistic it's been caught in time, hopefully a change in eye drops is all that will be needed!