Recently diagnosed with glaucoma and having allergic reaction to drops

Posted by kwgriff @kwgriff, Aug 22 8:30am

I was diagnosed with glaucoma on July 10 of this year. The scans (?) of my optic nerve show that I barely have any damage and am in the early stages of it. My doctor prescribed three different eye drops, Latanoprost, Timolol, and now Travaprost PF, but all of them cause me to have itchy red welts on my torso (front and back), arms, neck, and jawline.

I googled the symptoms and it seems I am allergic to something in the drops, but my doctor isn't so sure because, "It's extremely rare to have that happen." Yes, that's my life - I often have those extremely rare side effects.

I know I am early in this journey, but I can't live with these welts randomly showing up on my body. When I stopped the first two drops (on doctor's advice), I felt relief, but the last one I started yesterday and am already feeling itchy.

Suggestions?

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kwgriff | @kwgriff | Aug 22 9:01am

Interestingly enough, I have never had red, itchy or scratchy eyes with these drops. I have had stinging, but that goes away in less than a minute.

tillymack | @tillymack | Aug 22 2:14pm

I believe there is a surgical procedure for glaucoma or at least for some people with glaucoma.

kwgriff | @kwgriff | Aug 22 4:58pm

I had laser surgery to cut a new drainage hole in each eye. Is that the surgery you're thinking of?

tillymack | @tillymack | Aug 22 9:32pm

In reply to @kwgriff "I had laser surgery to cut a new drainage hole in each eye. Is that the..." + (show)

@kwgriff I just remember listening to a podcast of two doctors discussing this, but I don't remember specifics other than this surgery would eliminate the need for drops (if I remember correctly).

kwgriff | @kwgriff | Aug 23 12:11am

Thanks. I'll see if I can find information about it so I can talk with my doctor about it.

carmine100 | @carmine100 | Aug 23 9:18am

In reply to @kwgriff "Thanks. I'll see if I can find information about it so I can talk with my..." + (show)

@kwgriff There are different laser procedures. Iridotomy just cuts a small hole in the Iris to provide better flow. Select Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) works on the drainage network. Micropulse laser works on the ciliary body that produces the aqueous fluid.

The Micropulse laser and drops worked for me.

They are painless and quick. They can be repeated if necessary.

kwgriff | @kwgriff | Aug 23 10:10am

In reply to @carmine100 "@kwgriff There are different laser procedures. Iridotomy just cuts a small hole in the Iris to..." + (show)

@carmine100 Thanks for this information. I had the iridotomy.

Are the other two procedures available for narrow-angle glaucoma?

With the micropulse laser, do you still have to take drops every day for the rest of your life?

margieb58 | @margieb58 | Aug 23 11:38am

The allergy might be to the preservative, although I would expect that to show up first in the eye as red itchy eyes. In fact, I would expect any allergic reaction to the drops to be red, itchy eyes. See if there are preservative free options, try different drops.

And there are some surgical options. One is a laser to the drain, another a stent in the drain and the third is a second drain.

From someone who has the weird things also happen.

carmine100 | @carmine100 | Aug 23 11:51am

In reply to @kwgriff "@carmine100 Thanks for this information. I had the iridotomy. Are the other two procedures available for..." + (show)

@kwgriff Everyone’s journey is different and the best information is from your doctor. Use forums for topics to ask about.

I had pigment dispersion open angle glaucoma and the Micropulse laser dropped my pressure from the 30’s to 20 mm in three weeks. I still take drops and the pressure remained normal.

Surgery of any kind is a crap shoot and there is no guarantee of success. You have to be informed of the options and make the best choice.

kwgriff | @kwgriff | Aug 23 12:41pm

In reply to @margieb58 "The allergy might be to the preservative, although I would expect that to show up first..." + (show)

@margieb58
Hi Margie,

I went back and read my original post and I misspoke about having reactions to all three. I had reactions to the Latanoprost and Timolol so he switched me to Travoprost PF which seems to be doing the trick, although I have woken up with about 3 itchy spots on me so I am watching closely to see if tomorrow I have more.

Yes, I am surprised I don't have itchy, red eyes. I have only had stinging in my eyes for about the first 10-15 seconds after putting the drops in, even with the new preservative-free drops.

I've always been one to have the "rare" or "uncommon" side effects to many drugs; Benadryl doesn't make me sleepy, it makes me so hyper I want to climb the walls (a feeling I absolutely hate). The doctor said that being allergic to the regular drops is so rare; my retort was that I am the lucky one who gets those rare effects.

I read today that it is very rare for white people (3.8%) to be diagnosed with narrow-angle glaucoma, and of those, 75% are women. Most commonly are people from Asian countries. I've never had a DNA test done, but it might be interesting to find out if I have that in me.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the PF drops will be okay for me.