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Laser for eye pressure treatment?
My ophthalmologist found a slight increase in pressure in one eye during test for glaucoma. It’s 20 & he said below 22 is what is optimal. This is the first time any increase was seen during yearly exam. He recommended a laser treatment to help increase drainage. I would feel more comfortable with a couple of follow up appointments to recheck the pressure first, or maybe get a second opinion. I’m a 71 year old female. Thank you for any suggestions.
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Hello @cadunkin, Getting a second opinion may be helpful if for nothing else than to give you a chance to discuss the procedure, risks and recovery questions. I've had a YAG Laser Capsulotomy following my cataract surgery and it was a quick and easy procedure for my experience. Here are a couple of articles that may help answer questions you might have:
--- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Glaucoma — the ‘silent thief of sight’:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/1-2-mayo-clinic-q-and-a-glaucoma/.
"The report, which appears in “The Lancet,” says the laser treatment selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT, should be offered as first-line treatment for glaucoma, replacing the prescribing of pressure-lowering eye drops. The study has revealed that SLT is not only more effective and safer, but can also save money in health care costs."
--- UK Research Study Reports Laser-based Glaucoma Treatment is More Successful and Cost-effective:
https://glaucoma.org/uk-research-study-reports-laser-based-glaucoma-treatment-is-more-successful-and-cost-effective/.
Are you currently taking eye drops to lower the pressure in the eyes?
I am in your camp…
Pressure in the eye could be due to many factors…I have FD & sometimes I can literally feel that pressure, other times not yet I know it is there‼️grateful for this space to share…
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2 ReactionsI had the laser treatment done in both eyes over 20 years ago when I was in my 40’s. My opthamologist saw a problem on a routine visit and wanted to schedule it right away. When I told him I wanted a second opinion, he “fired” me as a patient. I was upset about that, but it worked out well because I found an excellent glaucoma specialist who confirmed the diagnosis of acute angle glaucoma and did the procedure. It was very easy and painless and I’ve never had to have any other follow-up treatments. My optometrist just checks yearly that the holes are still open and draining as intended. And they are. The only side effect that I’ve had is that at night, lights have a halo-like effect. Stars, headlights, street lamps, etc. are not clear points of light. They are “fuzzy”.
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for the information. No drops have been prescribed. This recent appointment with my optometrist is the first time either eye showed any increase in pressure, & it was minimal in one eye. I would feel better if I had either a second opinion or a recheck of the pressure with the same doctor. From what I understand, it can fluctuate from day to day.
This site is so helpful for so many, thanks again!
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1 ReactionOn latanoprost for 1.5 yrs my recent pressures have been: 23/24 in Aug24 at my regular, experienced (close to retirement?) doc, 18/19 in Oct24 at 2nd opinion doc, and 24/30 today, Dec24 back at my regular doc who prescribed dorzolamide 2X per day to add to my daily latanoprost. He said to come back for a pressure check in 1 week, but after he'd left the assistant said they're closed for the holidays and it's okay to go 3 weeks before checking. Total time with doc and assistant was less than 10 minutes and the doc did not bother to recheck my pressure. Perhaps they wanted to fire me after my 2nd opinion.
I have pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and sought a second opinion because my regular doc recommended cataract surgery. The second doc thought I could wait until the glare or blurriness bothered me. Anyhow, the second doc could get me in sooner to check pressure this month, so I'll make the switch to the second doc, a glaucoma specialist, and hope it's the right thing to do. I sure wish there were a way we could check our eye pressure at home.
I also have Raynaud's syndrome, and probably some endothelin-1/ vascular dysfunction which I suspect may be aggravating my glaucoma. When I had endovenous laser ablation of my leg vein 15 yrs ago the doc took 1/2 hour to insert the needle because of venous spasms. I think the spasms may also be happening in my eye, decreasing blood flow to my optic nerve. But eye docs only want to know about eyes, and vascular docs only want to know about blood vessels. Sadly, they don't have time to worry about the whole person.
That is a very high pressure 30. I would definitely try to get in to see another optho asap. PSE is not that common, I have it and have had three laser surgeries on my eye and am on three eye drops