Cataracts & Glaucoma question

NOTHINGISFOREVER

I just turned 50 last year and I was told I had advanced cataracts in my right eye. It was then discovered about the high pressure in the same eye so that somewhat shelfed my plan to have cataract surgery because it complicates matters having glaucoma. Anyway, I now have drops and a diuretic to take until I next return to the hospital for a further pressure check. Reading between the lines, I think that the doctors are keen to carry out laser treatement for my glaucoma so that many cataract operation can go ahead. At least, I hope so. If not, I think I am going to have to seriously consider going private, depending on how much this would all cost me, of course, and whether I could afford it.



Has anyone been in an identical, or at least similar, situation and with a successful outcome?
I'd be interested in reading your experiences regardless.

Thanks, guys!

GlasweJen

NOTHINGISFOREVER wrote: »

I just turned 50 last year and I was told I had advanced cataracts in my right eye. It was then discovered about the high pressure in the same eye so that somewhat shelfed my plan to have cataract surgery because it complicates matters having glaucoma. Anyway, I now have drops and a diuretic to take until I next return to the hospital for a further pressure check. Reading between the lines, I think that the doctors are keen to carry out laser treatement for my glaucoma so that many cataract operation can go ahead. At least, I hope so. If not, I think I am going to have to seriously consider going private, depending on how much this would all cost me, of course, and whether I could afford it.



Has anyone been in an identical, or at least similar, situation and with a successful outcome?
I'd be interested in reading your experiences regardless.

Thanks, guys!

I work in the NHS ophthalmology service, previously worked selling refractive surgery for optical express. Even they won't sell surgery to someone with unstable glaucoma, the risk to your vision is immense. You could lose your vision and then the actual eye as the optic nerve will have no vision signals to send so will just send pain signals to your brain until you beg a doctor to just take your eye out.

Just hold your horses until the pressures come down and then get the surgery when the doctors tell you that they're happy with you. Don't risk your vision because you have no patience and some wee lassie in an office tells you you'll be fine.

NOTHINGISFOREVER

Thank for your response and indeed most helpful advice, Glaswe Jen. Much appreciated.

I know that there would be too much of a risk for cataract surgery for someone like me with glaucoma but that is something I am not even considering and the doctors are dead against it anyway for obvious reasons.

However, laser treatment for my glaucoma was alluded to last week by one of doctors at the hospital and that was the main part of my question above.

This has all come so sudden. I was desperately excited about getting my cataract op done until this came about, but I understand that's just gonna have to be put on hold until the pressure is under control.

Rodders53

Wait.
Trust your Consultants!

Glaucoma treatment takes time and monitoring with various testing to look for progress/no progress of the condition.
Different drugs may be needed to get the pressures stable, without adverse reaction. It takes time.

Laser treatment (trabulectomy) to help eye drainage is not without risk. I'm sure medication is preferable; and that's what they want to use as a first/second line attack on the disease for you. If pressure can't be controlled to their satisfaction, they'll go for surgery readily enough.

Discuss your concerns with them on your next Hospital appointment.

https://www.glaucoma-association.com/about-the-iga may have some useful advice for you? I found it fairly useful when I was first diagnosed with Glaucoma.

NOTHINGISFOREVER

Thank you so much, Rodders. I will take all of that on board and will visit that link you kindly posted.