iridotomy in three weeks absolutely terrified ( please be kind )

Subject: Seeking Reassurance and Advice About YAG Laser Iridotomy

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice or shared experiences about the YAG laser iridotomy. I’ve recently been advised to have this procedure because of narrow angles in both eyes. My consultant explained it’s a preventive measure to lower the risk of an acute angle-closure attack in the future.

While I understand the reasoning, I’m feeling incredibly anxious about the potential risks and complications, especially after reading about things like glare, halos, or pressure spikes.

A bit about my situation:

• My UBM scan showed narrowing of two lateral angles in each eye, but the top and bottom angles are still open.

• I’ve been reassured that this is a routine procedure performed by a very experienced consultant.

• I have green/blue eyes, hyperopia, and some astigmatism, which I’ve read might factor into the procedure.

I’m looking for:

• Reassurance if you’ve had this done and how it went for you.

• Any tips for managing anxiety before the procedure.

• Insights about how common complications like glare or halos really are.

Thank you so much for any advice or support you can offer!

[Pley]

I to have narrow angle glaucoma in both eyes and had the laser treatment 10 years ago for the same reasons you described. The procedure was quite quick and painless. Maybe just a little uncomfortable feeling, but nothing distressing.I had no complications and my eyesight went back to 'normal' very quickly after the procedure.

Although the treatment reduced my pressures I still need daily eye drops to keep my pressures under control.

Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Pley]

I currently do not have narrow angle glucoma- just anatomical narrow angles.

That’s great to hear as I’ve read mixed reviews online about people who had suffered all sorts of visual complications afterwards which is quite worrying

[Fudgewick]

Hi Bonniebear, I had bilateral iridotomies a couple of years ago and had no problems at all. It is natural to feel anxious before procedures but some relaxed breathing would help. I was fascinated by the procedure which distracted me from any anxiety. I hope all goes well for you too.

[bathrugby]

Hello, I had YAG laser treatment about 18 months ago. Although it wasn’t for the same procedure as yours. Mine was to remove a build up of cells, that occurred following cataract and stent surgery in my right eye. I am a very anxious person, but can honestly say that the consultant was so reassuring , that I honestly felt relaxed about the whole experience. He said it would literally take 5 minutes to complete, and that all I would feel was a little warmth in my eye. He was true to his word. The blurriness in my eye took about 2 weeks to clear, which was exactly what he said would happen. My eyesight returned to normal. Bearing in mind that already having glaucoma I realised that it could not restore the vision that I had already lost. Because of my anxiety and having white coat syndrome whenever my blood pressure is taken, my first operation had to be cancelled. I was told beforehand that I would be given a tranquiliser. Unfortunately there was no anaesthetist available to administer this and they had to reschedule the operation. The second time I was given a sedative beforehand. This made all the difference. My advice to you would be to insist on sedation. My GP wrote a letter to the consultant. You are not the only person to be anxious before an operation. May I wish you the very best of luck, and hope everything goes well for you.

[Martyn321]

I hope the procedure goes well, I am confident that it will.

I know we have spoken on other threads and I too had narrow angles and YAG iridotomy at the beginning of the year. The experience was not unpleasant and whilst there were moments it was slightly uncomfortable I am never a good patient when poking around eyes.

With the GAD disorder I hope you appreciate that it can cause you to obsess over things, I do the same in an attempt to find comfort in a post or a message but also do try and put this into context. You are likely to experience more anxiety with this as more people write about negative experiences then positive ones…it’s human nature unfortunately.

I completely understand that our brains seem irrational to others, I am often told to “be more confident” or “don’t worry” which is impossible when you are conditioned in a way that makes this impossible.

My first lens replacement didn’t go to plan and had a huge shock with how it affected me, to the point that I nearly backed out of the second one. I now have had both done and my eye sight is probably similar to how it was prior to everything, just needing reading glasses.

I would love to say something that would reassure you or take away the anxiety and make the next three weeks stress free but I can’t….and I also don’t think those words exist. My only advice is to concentrate on you…leave Dr Google alone and whilst allowing yourself to be anxious have faith that this is the right procedure for you and the outcome will be preservation of a wonderful gift that we all take for granted which is good eye sight.

Hope this doesn’t come across as condescending, it’s not my intention. I really feel for you being in a similar place mentally so I whole heartedly wish you the best.

[Hidden in reply to Martyn321]

Hi there

Absolutely not, this did not come across as condescending at all. Such a wonderfully articulated reply in fact. To be honest, all the responses I’ve had have been really kind accept for one that was abit ‘rude’ but probably well intended.

You’re absolutely right, there isn’t anything that will take the stress away there are no words that stops GAD rumination.

This experience so far has been a tough lesson in being forced to learn.

I’m not entirely sure at this stage posting / reading on the group is helping me, as you have said people are more likely to share negative.

Maybe I need strength of mind to not constantly seek reassurance, and search for certainty which no one can give, I know this deep down.

This is just bloody rubbish and very hard to deal with, I think the GAD is more troublesome for me than the laser will be!

I think, this may be my last post here for a while until I’ve had my laser iridotomy, and hopefully the next post I make will be one of ‘can you believe I bluddy did it and survived!’

Thankyou again for your kindness

Take good care

Paula

[Martyn321 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Paula,

I hope to hear how things are going and happy to try and help. I’m hoping it will be one of those events that you dread however afterwards you feel like you spent all your time worrying for nothing. This is generally how the cycle works for me yet my brain doesn’t learn to react any differently. I was recently talking to someone about my anxiety and they made me try and understand that I need to accept it, not battle it, explain to people why I get like I do and not burry it away with the hope that someday it will be gone. I’m trying to get better with it but I still catastrophise things and expect the worst to happen.

I still feel anxious but I do feel people will be kinder if they know what’s going on so don’t suffer in silence and make sure you tell the doctors that are undertaking the procedure how you feel and they will be equipped to deal with things.

In terms of what will happen on the day it probably won’t feel much worse then the general poking and prodding that happens with an examination, it will likely be done and dusted in 15 mins. Please trust me that I am a nightmare at the eye clinic! They sigh at me for blinking, pulling away and asking them to give me a few seconds before I’m ready to undergo the next round of prodding. However if I can do it, then you will have no problem.

Take care Paula and be kind to yourself! It’s a lot to take on board but the long term prognosis is likely to be very positive.

[Hidden in reply to Martyn321]

I’ve never felt so validated. Thankyou

Thankyou for sharing your heartfelt words and personal battles with me, we are two of a kind it would seem.

Would it be ok if we kept in touch? It would be nice to connect with someone who gets it,

I really appreciate you, thanks so much again

Paula

[Martyn321 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Paula,

Of course, I would love to keep in touch and I look forward to hearing how you get on with your pending procedure.

Take care and speak soon,

Martyn

[judetheobscure22]

I had this about six months ago. To be honest, I barely knew it was happening. I rested my chin on the chin rest just as you do for all eye exams, there were the tiniest of pulses on my eyes, not even as noticeable as the puff tests they do for eye pressure at the optician, and it was all over. I couldn't tell it had been done afterwards either, no pain or blurriness at all.

[Hidden in reply to judetheobscure22]

Aw thanks for your reply it’s so kind of you to share your positive experience

Xx

[NAngleClosedGlaucoma]

Hi

Yes I have had the procedure done in both eyes and it really is not of any concern. It does not hurt at all and other than not moving it’s fine. I was so nervous before but there is really no need to be. 😊

[Hidden in reply to NAngleClosedGlaucoma]

Thanks for your reply I’m just at a point now where I just want to get it done- so I can move on with my life! It’s been the worry of waiting and the apprehension of it all that’s made my anxiety really really bad. When push comes to shove I’m pretty tough re medical prcocedures it’s just the waiting drives me bonkers! Xx

[NAngleClosedGlaucoma in reply to Hidden]

If I’m to be honest Paula, I did not contact the hospital to move it along as I was so nervous about the procedure. It transpired that my narrow angle right eye was acute and had subsequently closed so that they needed to schedule cataract surgery afterwards in the eye to replace my lens with a smaller one to allow for some drainage. So I do know what it’s like being terrified that if something could go wrong then it probably would with me! However it was ok although I also have Fuch’s dystrophy which meant surgery only exacerbated the dystrophy and I’m back to where I started almost. So they are not doing my left eye. However as this is about you and not me (sorry for going on 😅) then my message and experience will contribute to the need for speed and getting it done and over with. I wish you all the best success in it and hope it goes well for you.

[Hidden in reply to NAngleClosedGlaucoma]

Did these issues happen after the iridotomy in regards to your angle closure for your right eye? Or while you were waiting or before you had been for an iridotomy? Sorry I’m a little confused xx

[NAngleClosedGlaucoma in reply to Hidden]

No it happened before the procedure and the consultant apologised for the delay saying that it could have been avoided if I had had the procedure in time. I didn’t push it either as I was trying to put it out of my mind instead of phoning to speed it up!