Cataract surgery

[Bess21]

Has anyone had iridotomy and then cataract surgery for narrow angles? Also I have read it's possible to still have a closed angle attack and is there anyone this happened to.

[Shinal_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello, usually with narrow angle glaucoma the common treatment approach is to first undergo laser peripheral iridotomy. A laser creates a small hole in the outer edge of the iris which helps open the drainage channels in your eye. Sometimes also having a cataract operation is necessary as this can widen the drainage channels and help ease the pressure inside your eye. After treatment, the chance of having closed angle glaucoma is much smaller.

[Martyn321]

Hi, I had this done last year, both procedures as after the iridotomy I had a closed angle attack which spiked my eye pressure to 70.

My specialist has told me that after my next check up I will be discharged and will not be at risk of another attack, I guess they will never say it’s impossible but anatomically they have done the procedure to create the relevant space so it’s highly unlikely.

I’ve been told that I no longer have closed angle Glaucoma because of the procedures and do not need to disclose this anymore.

Hope this helps!

[Bess21 in reply to Martyn321]

I have just read your posts, did you have it done on nhs. Do you know what your angle grades are now thankyou

[Martyn321 in reply to Bess21]

I did have it done on the NHS, I was considered somewhat urgent. Apparently I have small eyes which didn’t help.

Sorry I never asked what grade my angles were.

I assume this is something that is being recommended?

I was diagnosed with closed angle Glaucoma in the December 2023, had iridotomy in the Feb and then the first lens replacement in the May and the second in the October.

All happened pretty quickly!

[Bess21 in reply to Martyn321]

Thankyou how are your pressures now after cataract surgery

[Martyn321 in reply to Bess21]

All good, about 10 and consistent.

I believe this is why I will be discharged, unlike other eye conditions the operations are a preventive measure so I am no longer considered a risk.

[Bess21 in reply to Martyn321]

Brilliant good luck

[Rosie2931 in reply to Martyn321]

Pressure of 10 is amazing!!!

[Martyn321]

thanks….you too. What I’ve learned is that it’s hard to find 2 cases that align so whilst this support channel great, it’s a very personal experience to navigate

[Rosie2931]

I had an irridotomy and, about 5 years later I had cataract surgery to open up the space as I was told the iris thickens as we age, so the gap would be reduced. My eyes are small and I have one 'lazy' eye. I guess it is never possible to rule out a closed angle attack, but, hopefully the procedures have reduced the risk.

[jacrjacr in reply to Rosie2931]

would it be rude if i ask your age, i am early 60s and wondering if cateract surgery early may fix my narrow angle...i have very small cateracts but narrow angle but not severe and no glaucoma and pressure 17 18 but just they just found the narrow angle..more common i women in menopausal too

[Bess21 in reply to jacrjacr]

I have read a lot about narrow angles and usually if no symptoms and pressures ok it can be monitored but cataract surgery according to the eagle study is good. I am 66 but found out my pressures been low 20s since 2009 and opticians did nothing till last year.

[Trekfan]

Sorry for the delay. My injury was only in my left eye. I have not done anything to my right eye. I believe it is a greater risk to do anything to the good eye. The injury was caused by a nasal spray that affected my optic nerve and caused high eye pressure and uveitis. Prednisolone drops made the issue worse and I believe the cataract and high eye pressure after the injury was caused by long term prednisolone drops. I found out I am also a steroid responder. In my opinion, if you have narrow angles and you are ok otherwise, do not get an Iridotomy. Find out what medications you should avoid and do so.

[Bess21 in reply to Trekfan]

How did you find out you're steroid responder please

[Bess21 in reply to Bess21]

I was using nasal spray last July but only 3 weeks

[Sennara]

Yes , I have had both. Before I had both I had full visual fields in both eyes, after laser and cataract surgery , mainly after I had laser , I had closed angle attack. I had no pain or anything but I then started to lose my sight . this wasnt picked up by my eye drs or consultants after I had complained something was not right. I changed hospitals and saw a different consultant who told me I had a closed angle attack somewhere along the lines,

I was then prescribed Lantaprost , to be used with Trusopt and now my glaucoma is under control

[Bess21 in reply to Sennara]

I keep seeing halos around lights and car headlights my consultant said fluctuating pressures need cataract/lens replacement next. Fed up felt better before I had iridotomy 20th December. Thankyu for reply.

[jacrjacr in reply to Bess21]

my dr told me if i was seeing halos or flashes of light i need treatments asap...and not to wait because that is a sign some damage is happening but cant believe you already had lpi done. I read if the hole from lpi is not under the lid, you can have some of that also so most drs try to make sure it is under the eye lid so that you dont get that

[Bess21 in reply to jacrjacr]

Mine are 3 and 9 o'clock I do have mild cataracts found out at specsavers been there couple yrs but the iridotomy can make them mature quicker. I went hospital last July and consultant advised iridotomy but I said no, then appointment November another consultant said cataract lens replacement because if had laser would still need cataract in couple yrs. So I went December pre assessment and they dilated my eyes saw another consultant she said have laser iridotomy but my pressures had gone to 29, so booked me an emergency laser. I went private week later for 2nd opinion and he did laser then. Big mistake I should've never had dilating drops but now I have to have cataract and maybe istents to hopefully lower pressures. I have no faith in hospital so seeing a private dr again and going he can move me to his nhs practice he's so nice helpful.