NHS decision sheet on open angle glaucoma (high eye pressure)

[SteveBass]

On my early journey researching having high eye pressure (IOP) I came across this NHS fact sheet.

Making-a-decision-about-open-angle-glaucoma.pdf

Basically the facts in Section 3 are based on a few research studies and compare the outcomes of developing 'some' sight loss over 3 years depending whether you take eye drops, have laser (SLT) therapy or 'Do Nothing'.

Link Reference here : england.nhs.uk/wp-content/u...

I was particularly surprised in the 'Do nothing' option where it says out of 100 that "18 will not have sight good enough to drive (over their lifetime) and 82 will". I was thinking that there must be many people who can't tolerate the eye drops and can't face SLT surgery and just leave things to nature to decide. If the research is correct (and my understanding is correct) it would appear that if you 'Doing nothing' there is still an 82% chance of having eyesight good enough to drive until we die.

I'm also not clear on the word glaucoma. When I was first diagnosed with high IOP, I asked the consuitant whether that meant I has glaucoma. He said he wouldn't call it that yet! I thought glaucoma was when the optic nerve starts to get damaged, starting with loss of peripheral vision.

I also read that some people with high IOP never go on to get optic nerve damage and some people with 'normal' IOP do. I guess other factors are involved like the health and strength of the optic nerve, blood supply/pressure, other health issues.

I'd be interested in your thoughts. By the way, I do believe prevention is better than fixing the cause, so reducing IOP is important in reducing the risk of glaicoma (optic nerve damage).

[KitMcG]

very interesting Steve. I wondered about this regarding my mum, who suffered the side effects of glaucoma eye drops for decades but actually lost her sight to macular degeneration. Radical opinion would be she could have enjoyed a better quality of life whilst preparing herself for sight loss in later life.

[woodthorpe]

In my experience, 'doing nothing' is not an option. The effects of open angle glaucoma are insidious - most people are unaware of the damage being caused.

[ks1966]

Hi. Please take into account that people with thick corneas may have an intraocular pressure (IOP) reading that is 2 to 3 points higher than their actual IOP. Hope this helps.

[whitedog]

I can say with the benefit of hindsight that high eye pressure to the point of causing damage leading to sight loss is very uncomfortable.

I'd describe it as your eye feeling like a throbbing, heavy marble. I lost sight due to hospital backlogs, despite repeatedly calling and being fobbed off at the time.

When I did finally get seen again, the doctors acted quickly but damage was already done and since then most of my sight in that eye has now gone due to complexities.

[YorkshireLass300]

Interesting reading Steve, I initially attended hospital with PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment) flashing light, floaters etc, 2 years after I attended the eye clinic with borderline IOP with no evidence of glaucoma. Following appointments showed that I had "tilted optic disc in both eyes". My IOP eventually was on the high side, the Consultant advised eye drops because she was not sure if I had glaucoma because the "tilted optic nerve" could give misleading readings on the optic nerve and the Fields Tests, so to be on the safe side I was prescribed eye drops. Obviously I agreed with her recommendation I needed to get my IOP readings down. Since then I attend the Glaucoma Clinic and Consultation Reports show that I have "Primary Open Angle Glaucoma". Steve, you have prompted me on my next visit to ask more questions about my diagnosis. Thank You.