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Anyone have experience with glaucoma and trabeculectomy?
Hello everyone,
I would like to ask for your experience and advice regarding my left-eye glaucoma.
1. 2023: I had SLT on my left eye because of high eye pressure. My optic nerve/RNFL measurement was 93.
2. March 2026: I had SLT again on the same eye. My optic nerve/RNFL measurement was 83.
3. I became concerned about the rate of thinning and read about glaucoma progression. Because of this, I changed my doctor.
4. My new doctor added preventive glaucoma drop Tomec in March 2026. My eye pressure was then around 16–17 mmHg.
5. August 2026: My eye pressure suddenly increased to approximately 28–30–36 mmHg.
6. Tomec was then combined with Vyzulta. During the following 5 days, my measurements were approximately 27, 22, 17, and 29 mmHg.
7. My eye-drop treatment was then changed to Alphagan + Ganfort + Britil.
8. Despite the new treatment, my measurements over 5 days were approximately 30, 27, 22, 15, 38, and 42 mmHg.
9. My doctor thinks that the pressure is very unstable and that the eye drops are not controlling it sufficiently. He has recommended trabeculectomy surgery.
10. My visual field (VF) was 91%, with only a small amount of loss in the nasal area (far left side).
My questions are:
* What could be causing these very high and fluctuating eye-pressure spikes during the last 3 weeks?
* Could we be missing another possible cause?
* Has anyone experienced similar pressure fluctuations despite using several glaucoma drops?
* If you were in my situation, what would you consider before deciding on trabeculectomy?
* What has been your experience with trabeculectomy, especially in the long term?
I would really appreciate hearing from people who have had a similar experience.
Thank you very much.
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Welcome, @sportwins65. I'm tagging @dagn @marymj7 @seawalk to share more about their experiences with glaucoma and trabeculectomy.
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2 ReactionsI had glaucoma surgeries in both eyes in 1994 and now only need Timolol drop in my right eye. The underlying cause for me is uveitis. My vision has been stable for decades.
I also had cataracts removed from both eyes and vitrectomies in both eyes. It has been a long road for me, but I had some great doctors.
Good luck to you in your journey.
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2 ReactionsI am unfamiliar with the drops you mentioned. I use Brimodine, dorzolimide, Xalatan, and Rhopresa. I had a spike a year ago and elected to have a trabeculectomy. I had a lot of trouble with stitches causing discomfort and blurry vision. I also had a needling procedure to “refresh” the trabeculectomy. Eye pressure is under control but it took almost a year for me to have normal vision and no discomfort. I would suggest asking about other drops and the appointments needed for follow up for 8 weeks after surgery. It’s a big commitment. Good luck.
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2 ReactionsI had a trabeculectomy 25 years age on my right eye because I did not respond to any eye drop. I have normal tension glaucoma with optic nerve thinning and vision loss. My surgery was successful and my eye pressure is between 8 and 10. I do not use any eyedrops in the right eye.
Glaucoma in left eye is managed with Combigan and Vysalta and eye pressure is stable between 10 and 12.
Hope your surgery is as successful as mine was.
Best,
Mary
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3 ReactionsI have the same thing, glaucoma &
next week having the surgery for lowering the pressure. I really hope I won’t need the drops anymore.
Then I am having cataract surgery.
The Trabeculectomy on my right eye was successful and I only put 2 drops a day for maintenance, in it. I use 5 drops a day in my left eye, so I'm having it done soon as well. It's uncomfortable for a couple of weeks afterward but it was worth it, for me. My right eye pressure stays around 10 or less, and my left eye was up to 27 before changing drops a bit. My left eye was 14 last week. I should mention that my open angle Glaucoma is quite advanced and I have been treated for it for over 20 years, I'm 67 now. Good luck and GOD Bless!
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2 ReactionsI’ve had the procedure done on both of my eyes. It was a quick procedure and I had only mild discomfort for a few hours afterward. It lowered my pressure significantly but I still need to take both of my eye drops. I have mild open-angle glaucoma diagnosed about 5 years ago.
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3 ReactionsThank you for the heads up. I am having my procedure done tomorrow. I was a little worried but your comment has helped me to be much more relaxed.
@debjacobs54 Hi, glad I could help. Good luck with your procedure! I’m sure you’ll do fine! Let me know how you made out when you get a chance.
Jim
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2 ReactionsThank you. I go tomorrow afternoon. I’ll write when I get home. Hopefully I’ll be able to see. Lol
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