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Glacoma SLT laser complications?
I am 65, 1 year ago developed psoriasis,and apparently glacoma at about the same time, eye drops are not working (latanaprost) or I am allergic; now SLT laser is recommended (and billed as an easy and very trouble-free procedure). I am on a blood thinner, eye dr says I do not need to stop it for the SLT laser. Has anyone had trouble/complications from the SLT laser?
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I've been fighting glaucoma for over 30 years now. I've had multiple laser treatments to try and open the drainage system in the eyes to help reduce the pressure. Sometimes they help and sometimes not so much. I'm now on 3 eye drops for glaucoma: pilocarpine, dorzolimide, and rocklatan. My pressures are currently holding around 12-14. What are your pressures?
On two different drops, 21 and 20. Unfortunately, I have had trouble with many drops due to allergies/adverse reactions. Drs are recommending SLT procedure
I was diagnosed with acute angle glaucoma when I was in my 40’s. I had the laser surgery (assuming it’s the same thing you’re talking about in which they poke a hole in the upper part of the iris?). I had no complications. Quick, painless, bloodless. My optometrist and opthamologist check to make sure the little holes are clear/not blocked each year and they are. I’m 63 now and have had no problems. I was diagnosed before I had any high pressure and never needed drops. The only downside is at night when I look at light, like headlights, stars, streetlights, etc., they have a halo or starburst effect, which the opth. warned me about. But I’m so used to it now, I hardly notice.
Having had a torn retina in each eye I’m extremely hesitant to have any eye surgeries because they can irritate the promptly repaired retinas. Presently, even with cataracts and AMD, I see very well.
No procedure is 100% safe. Suggest researching your condition well then, if you must have eye surgery, get the very best doc you can find.
Thank you, everyone
I’m 56 and was diagnosed with glaucoma 3 years ago. Since, I’ve tried numerous drops that I either reacted to or the drops weren’t beneficial. I have stints in both eyes and just recently underwent a 4th round of SLT. I go back at the end of the month to see if the latest SLT was effective. I’m petrified. What if the last SLT didn’t work. What options so I have. Should I get another opinion? I’ve been seeing my current ophthalmologist for 5 years. Thank you for any advice. 🌺
SLT are typically painless (I’ve had 4). You sit in a chair, after being numbed with drops, and your eye is kept open with some sort of device (it feels weird but painless). The doctor will tell you where to focus and they will laser. Let them know if you have any pain. Someone also stood behind me to help hold my head in place. The whole process is very quick. They flush your eye out and you use drops for a few days. No down time. Good luck to you.