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Are Xalatan (latanoprost) eye drops for glaucoma only?

Posted by empara @empara, Jul 21 1:36am

My sister has glaucoma and she controls it by eye drops. I don't have what was checked by doctor but he told me to take Xalatan(Latanoprost) as a precaution for the rest of my life, I am 76years old. but as I read recently this eye drops are ONLY for people who have glaucoma . Besides that I see him ones a year for tests already for 15 year and everything is good..

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Profile picture for mikayla
mikayla | @mikaylar | Jul 21 7:45am

I have glaucoma i one eye. The doctor told me not to use the drops in the other eye. I am 79. Better get another opinion.

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 21 8:55am

@empara I see that you have asked this question several times over the past few months on Connect. Since we are not medical professionals, we cannot tell you whether you should use the drops or not.

In another post, you mentioned that the doctor advised you to have cataracts removed, but you don't think it is necessary because you don't wear glasses.

In fact, glasses don't help cataracts, which happen when the clear lens on the eye becomes cloudy. And in early days of cataracts, the only symptoms you might have are "halos" around lights at night, a feeling that you need to turn lights on more often in lower light situations, or slight "yellowing" of colors.

It seems you don't fully trust your doctor's advice. Or perhaps he just doesn't explain things well enough for you to understand his reasoning. Perhaps it is time to consider a change.

Have you though about bringing someone along to your appointment to ask questions, or maybe you would like to see a new ophthalmologist?

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2 replies
Profile picture for empara
empara | @empara | Jul 21 9:11am
In reply to @sueinmn "@empara I see that you have asked this question several times over the past few months..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@empara I see that you have asked this question several times over the past few months on Connect. Since we are not medical professionals, we cannot tell you whether you should use the drops or not.

In another post, you mentioned that the doctor advised you to have cataracts removed, but you don't think it is necessary because you don't wear glasses.

In fact, glasses don't help cataracts, which happen when the clear lens on the eye becomes cloudy. And in early days of cataracts, the only symptoms you might have are "halos" around lights at night, a feeling that you need to turn lights on more often in lower light situations, or slight "yellowing" of colors.

It seems you don't fully trust your doctor's advice. Or perhaps he just doesn't explain things well enough for you to understand his reasoning. Perhaps it is time to consider a change.

Have you though about bringing someone along to your appointment to ask questions, or maybe you would like to see a new ophthalmologist?

Jump to this post

@sueinmn
Thank you so much for your comment.
Will have to ask to see another ophthalmologist.

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LisaW | @elizabethwall | Jul 24 9:18am

If you do decide to get the surgery ask your doctor about bullous keratophy and the chances of getting it as a side effect of the surgery, though probably rare. I haven't research this in depth because I don't have that issue but I do have bullous keratophy from ICE Syndrome. I don't want to scare you off from having the surgery if you really need it but want you to know so you can ask about it since I don't see much about this issue being talked about or researched. Good luck and I hope you get the information you are looking for.

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1 reply
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carmine100 | @carmine100 | Jul 25 11:02am
In reply to @elizabethwall "If you do decide to get the surgery ask your doctor about bullous keratophy and the..." + (show)
Profile picture for LisaW @elizabethwall

If you do decide to get the surgery ask your doctor about bullous keratophy and the chances of getting it as a side effect of the surgery, though probably rare. I haven't research this in depth because I don't have that issue but I do have bullous keratophy from ICE Syndrome. I don't want to scare you off from having the surgery if you really need it but want you to know so you can ask about it since I don't see much about this issue being talked about or researched. Good luck and I hope you get the information you are looking for.

Jump to this post

@elizabethwall No matter what the procedure, ask about possible complications and how to treat them.

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Profile picture for LisaW
LisaW | @elizabethwall | Jul 25 11:59am

I agree. I am holding off as long as I can with this bullous keratopathy I have now. I am going to have to make some hard decisions at some point because I can't continue working when I have an episode every 4-5 days now after going through a bout for 1-3 days. In one right now that started Thursday evening, hoping it stops tonight as it is quite painful. I had never heard of what I have now until I got it through my ICE Syndrome and I thought I was very well versed on ICE. Guess not lol.

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christystratton | @christystratton | Aug 12 2:04pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@empara I see that you have asked this question several times over the past few months..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@empara I see that you have asked this question several times over the past few months on Connect. Since we are not medical professionals, we cannot tell you whether you should use the drops or not.

In another post, you mentioned that the doctor advised you to have cataracts removed, but you don't think it is necessary because you don't wear glasses.

In fact, glasses don't help cataracts, which happen when the clear lens on the eye becomes cloudy. And in early days of cataracts, the only symptoms you might have are "halos" around lights at night, a feeling that you need to turn lights on more often in lower light situations, or slight "yellowing" of colors.

It seems you don't fully trust your doctor's advice. Or perhaps he just doesn't explain things well enough for you to understand his reasoning. Perhaps it is time to consider a change.

Have you though about bringing someone along to your appointment to ask questions, or maybe you would like to see a new ophthalmologist?

Jump to this post

@sueinmn
I so appreciate reading these informative insightful comments.
I don’t have all the high drama eye conditions mentioned on this site just glaucoma with continuing drug reactions when on 4 drugs a day(2 prescriptions) I’m having cataract stent surgery next week to hopefully only need 1 eye drop prescription. After reading all this info I’m wondering if it will work as laser treatment didn’t change a thing. 🤔Hope for the best! Have a good day everyone.

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1 reply
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 12 5:18pm
In reply to @christystratton "@sueinmn I so appreciate reading these informative insightful comments. I don’t have all the high drama..." + (show)
Profile picture for christystratton @christystratton

@sueinmn
I so appreciate reading these informative insightful comments.
I don’t have all the high drama eye conditions mentioned on this site just glaucoma with continuing drug reactions when on 4 drugs a day(2 prescriptions) I’m having cataract stent surgery next week to hopefully only need 1 eye drop prescription. After reading all this info I’m wondering if it will work as laser treatment didn’t change a thing. 🤔Hope for the best! Have a good day everyone.

Jump to this post

@christystratton The stent worked for me! Dropped my pressure to 12 with no drops for 2 years - before it ran 14-18 with drops. Doc is monitoring closely in case the pressure goes up again.

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christystratton | @christystratton | Aug 12 6:25pm

Thanks for sharing your experience Sue. I got it-BE POSITIVE 💃🌻

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