Glaucoma

[Queencara78]

Hi all,

I went to see an eye specialist for what I believed was for a cyst on my eye, really wasn't prepared for being told that I have to have laser eye surgery for narrow angles in both eyes and being a high risk for attacks of acute closed angle glaucoma.

Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar problem?

[cuttysark]

Hi,

I had exactly the same about ten years ago. I was having severe pain behind my right eye and seeing halos round lights and the TV.

They diagnosed narrow angle glaucoma and said it often ran in families and both an uncle and aunt on my mother's side had it. My uncle was not diagnosed and it became a medical emergency with him almost losing his sight but thankfully an operation fixed it permanently.

The good news is that the laser treatment when they make tiny holes to help the eye drain is very successful.

I had no bother with it at all. They put drops in your eyes then the laser machine makes the holes. It isn't exactly painful, just a wee bit uncomfortable for a short time.

After it I was fine, just had to use steroid drops in my eyes for a few weeks.

I have had had no bother with it since. Occasionally the tiny holes can close over and you need it done again but they told me that was unusual and the treatment generally lasts a lifetime.

All the best with it. C x

[Queencara78 in reply to cuttysark]

Thank you for replying,

Its great to hear a positive result, can I ask please... do you suffer from autoimmune disease? and if so which one(s)?

I have been told I may have fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel and secondary Raynaud's but am currently under the care of Dermatology, Rheumatology and have recently been referred to Neurology.

Have also skin manifestations, IE: butterfly rash, and facial swelling.

[cuttysark in reply to Queencara78]

Hi again Queencara,

If you check out some of my other posts you will see the ongoing saga of my diagnosis and treatment! Like you I overlap various departments.

At the moment they think I have Sjogrens, perhaps also a kind of sub clinical Lupus and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. I also have had weird neurological problems, heart problems other eye problems not associated with the glaucoma, and also hearing loss. Most of my symptoms are gradually getting worse but a four year trial with steroids did help a lot. At the moment they want me off steroids and on to Mycophenolate instead so I guess that is why I feel so bad just now as the steroids had been masking a lot of it.

Hope you get some reliable treatment for your autoimmune diseases.

C x

[zzcat]

Yes, I too have had one episode of it, that was thankfully controlled with medications. I have been told however that you are at higher risk now of developing full blown glaucoma, or open angle, so I am to have regular check ups. My pressure has been steadily raising, as to be in the pre- glaucoma stage and am now having to go in every 3 months for a check. It's a pain to take this time but better than losing your eyesight.

Good luck!

[nonny]

Hi Queencara,

Have also had closed acute angle Glaucoma 5 years ago in both eyes and had laser surgery. It was quite straightforward and as mentioned not painful just a little uncomfortable. So far no further problems. Also found I had cataracts in both eyes at the same time as the Glaucoma and had lens replacement in both eyes which caused me far more problems. Hope all goes well.