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YAG Laser Iridotomy Complications

Eye Conditions | Last Active: May 15 5:24pm | Replies (204)

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@angelg

I'm scheduled for an iridotomy in May, no elevated eye pressures ever. Went to get eyeglasses in Dec '22 and was diagnosed with narrow angles, was told to see an opthamologist in one month. I've been full of anxiety about going blind since then.

I went to see an opthalmologist one month later and only had the gonioscopy done, pressures were normal. MD diagnosed me with Chronic closed narrow angle glaucoma. I asked him why the diagnosis, and he told me to read the glaucoma pamphlet. Asked him why he didn't check my optic nerve or visual fields, do an OCT scan? He said my eyes needed to be dilated for these tests, but I had researched this and eyes do not need to be dilated for a comprehensive exam to rule out glaucoma. While I was in the office, he scheduled me for an iridotomy in 2 weeks?

I was suspicious about the diagnosis and why I didn't have a comprehensive exam with him, I let him know via phone, he then referred me to a glaucoma specialist. I went one month later, (hard to get an appointment). All tests were done, optic nerve was perfect, peripheral vision was normal, OCT scan normal. My narrow angles measured about the same (mild, according to one chart I found )? The glaucoma specialist changed my diagnosis to narrow angles. Said I did not have glaucoma and was confused about the diagnosis. She gave me 2 to 3 months to schedule the LPI, but said the majority of people with my anatomical narrow angles, no glaucoma never have acute attacks, but suggested I have the iridotomy at the 9 o'clock position on the left eye. My eyes are light brown! Will it be noticeable? She said she read a lot of research about less side effects post with the 9 o'clock position. I have a call in for her to return to find out how many patients she's done the laser on at the 9 o'clock position, side effects, and about my daily stress headaches for 23 years, also other things that I didn't mention.

My vision has not decreased, been wearing glasses since a child only inside. I've had a bad astigmatism in left eye since I was 7 years old. Of course I'm nearsighted and the farsighted came with age.

I'm planning on getting a third opinion, have not chosen an opthalmologist specialist yet, since I don't need a glaucoma specialist anymore, hopefully it will be soon.

I'm so nervous about this whole thing, I can't live with side effects from the iridotomy due to my stress level. I work from home every day. I want my life to be normal. I know the devastating effects of angle closure and DO NOT want to go blind or be miserable the rest of my life.

These posts, mostly from 2016 have been mostly helpful, but got progressively more disheartening as they went on due to side effects post LPI. I don't think I have a choice 🙁

Any newer experiences with post laser iridotomies, positioning of the laser shots, especially the 9 o'clock position, and side effects would be greatly appreciated.

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Replies to "I'm scheduled for an iridotomy in May, no elevated eye pressures ever. Went to get eyeglasses..."

I just saw this post. I have very similar situation to you- except I have a wonderful Neuro Ophthalmologist that I trust implicitly. In fact, I just went for my 6 month checkup last week. She dilated my eyes because we had not done that in 2 years. Everything looks great, and my angles are narrow, but mildly and have not changed a bit since my last appointment. Her recommendation is, and always has been, that she will not do the iridotomy until I am at least 50% angle. She also reassured me that just knowing that I have this enough for now because I know the signs to look for in acute angle closure, which she said in normal pressure eyes with mildly narrow angles, acute closure is rare. When we discussed what will happen when we get to that point, she mentioned that the 9'oclock position is what she would do.

Hey there! Please see my post from 2024.