I’m looking for a buddy or someone who is going through this too!
I had my appointment Monday and the consultant is VERY confident the laser iridotomy is what is needed to prevent angle closure attacks in the future for me. I’ve had so many scans and tests it’s been overwhelming.
My consultant is very experienced and is the current ophthalmology lead in our NHS trust. So you would think that would make me feel very confident, but I do have generalised anxiety disorder so 🤷♀️
Due to my anxiety he has very kindly put me on an urgent list with a wait time of 2-4 wks and I know that I should be very greatful for that.
I’m terrified of having this procedure, and although he answered all my questions and went above and beyond I’m still feeling like this.
is anyone able to support I feel so very alone with this.
Paula
Written by
Bonniebear21
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Sorry you're feeling anxious about this Paula. I've had a lot of eye surgeries, the first being iridotomies and I too was anxious at the time, but it is a very straightforward procedure.
The only real issue I encountered was that I have extremely dark irises (almost black) which meant that it took a little longer to make the holes, and I needed a repeat visit to enlarge them slightly as small ones have a tendency to close black up.
It did affect my vision slightly for a few weeks but I think that was more down to the eye drops which for one reason or another I tend not to get on with.
thanks for your reply, I had read that darker eyes are harder to laser. My eyes are green / grey I have very unusual coloured eyes!
I’m just so worried that my vision which is very good 20/20 in my left eye and although this is supposed to be preventative for angle closure attacks I just don’t want my vision now to be messed up
You are certainly not alone and there are some great people on here who can help.
Your circumstances sound similar to my own as I had closed angle glaucoma diagnosis at the beginning of the year and was referred for laser iridotomy in March. I also suffer from anxiety issues and has really good vision so completely get it.
What you have to understand is that the treatment you are getting is preemptive and will open your angles and prevent any closed angles event. Unfortunately for me since the laser I had a closed angle event and it was so painful that I would not wish it on my worse enemy.
The laser really isn’t anything to worry about, What is funny is that I was described as a difficult demographic as apparently men in their 40s are not good with being poked and prodded on the eyes but it was pretty standard, in fact it’s hardly different from the various scans.
Unfortunately for me I had to have my lenses replaced as the laser did not work which caused my anxiety to go through the roof! Also things like sertraline can actually increase eye pressure so maybe have a chat with your GP. I decided to go cold Turkey and probably looking back should have taken some better advice.
Anyway sorry for the long message, I’m no expert but I’m hugely grateful for the support and procedures that I have had now as the main goal is to make sure your longer term prognosis and vision is not impacted.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions and although this sounds ironic from a fellow anxiety sufferer, you really have nothing to worry about
Yes, although from what I later found out the iridotomy was a bit of a Hail Mary.
I don’t know how to articulate this but it was explained that anatomically my eyes are crammed. I later had to have further laser to reshape my iris and then lens replacement.
What I am trying to explain is not having the procedure is a lot worse then having one of these events. And hopefully in your case as it is in most that will be enough to reduce the risk.
Whilst anxiety is real, personal and the feelings are horrific deep down you know that what you are doing is for the best long term. I see what others are going through on this forum and it makes me grateful that I am somewhat on the other side now with slightly different reading glasses.
Thanks I appreciate you taking the time to reply, I’m so severely anxious it’s unreal I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this - I stopped setraline cold turkey too it’s been hell
I’m also concerned that what happed to you will happen to me too as the consultant has said I have plateau and narrow angles 50% percent drainage ?
The consultant is very very confident that this will prevent any angle closures now I’m thinking is he just saying that so I go through with it?
I’m all over the place - I just really don’t know how I’m going to cope
I found I had to manage things by Swimming and also took up Walking / Hiking challenge.
Do you work as I also utilised an Employee referral program and spoke with a councillor from AXA about it all which was helpful.
I’ve learned that I won’t overcome my anxiety but I can manage it, somethings work and sometimes I’m a nightmare so I do understand how it impacts you and the fear of the unknown
I genuinely feel that I had to separate my anxiety issues from my eye issues. As you know General Anxiety Disorder will mean that you will likely experience anxiety in everything you do. It just elevates and them slightly gets better but it’s always there. If you’ve come of Sertraline I would suggest seeing your GP to see if there is an alternative as it’s probably making the fear of the unknown a lot worse.
All I can tell you is that I am confident you will look back (excuse the pun) and realise it was a huge waste of energy worrying about it.
I wish I had more faith than I did as this year I’ve spent ages in turmoil worrying and planning events that never materialised!
I had iridotomy 3 years ago in both eyes due to narrow angles .
They don’t do them as much now, and tend to monitor people , but if there are added risks , they do them.
I had it done as diabetic and have yearly dilating drops which can cause angle closure attack.
Be very wary of any medications that cause pupil dilation such as decongestant.
I was anxious about having it done and did have a wait much longer than originally told . The procedure was ok , so please don’t worry , and after my follow up I was discharged back to being seen by regular optician for yearly checks. Though personally I would have preferred yearly check at the eye dept in hospital .
My pressure is up though, when I go for my checks. When I got discharged they were 18 and 22 , now they are 24-25 😏 optician hasn’t rereferred me though as visual fields tests are ok and when they take a pic of back of eye .
Irridotomy is like a safety valve, it’s done to lessen the risk of an angle closure attack .
If you get a mega headache, see halo around lights, very red eyes etc… they are signs of an attack and you need to go to A&E .
Hello Paula, sorry to hear you are feeling anxious about the upcoming procedure. Please do contact us on the Glaucoma UK helpline if you would us to arrange a buddy for you. The helpline phone number is 01233 648 170. Kind Regards Shinal
I had an acute angle closure attack a year ago, and as soon as my pressures reduced to the mid-20s (took about 2 weeks) hospital did laser iridotomy in each eye. They put in drops,then I had to sit with my chin on a rest during the procedure, looking at a static red light. The important thing is not to move your eyes from that fixed point - to move them is dangerous. Totally painless; machine makes strange clicking sounds. All over in 5 mins. Takes about 2-3 hours for drops to wear off and blurry vision to subside. Doesn't always reduce pressures but well worth trying. Good luck!
Thanks for your reply. My pressures aren’t high, I don’t have glucoma, just narrow angles at the moment. I’m interested to know when people say blurry vision like what does that actually look like ? I’m wondering whether to have one eye done at a time due to this as my anxiety is severe. My consultant has said I can do this if I need too. Sorry if my replies come across short shrift, I’m just extremely scared and I do appreciate everyone who takes the time to reply
The blurry vision after the drops is very temporary, just till the effect of the drops wears off. Straight after the iridotomy everything was out of focus but a nurse guided me to a seat in the waiting room. Within the hour a doctor checked my eyes and (in my case, because I have glaucoma) my pressures. I could have gone home then but I had to wait another hour and a half for my lift home and by the time my husband arrived my vision was back to normal. Lots of drops cause blurriness - it really is temporary and nothing to worry about. Looking back, yes, a lens (a bit like the little lens jewellers use to study precious stones etc) was placed round my eye but I don't know the reason: it certainly doesn't stop the eye from moving. I can only reiterate that there is nothing painful or unpleasant about a laser iridotomy. But I do sense your anxiety. I was like that before my first cataract op and the staff were very reassuring - convincingly so. I wish you well.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
SLT laser surgery procedure 
Shocked but still scared. 
scaredycat!
Narrow angles/iridotomy
