Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 30, 2014 18:14:31 GMT -5
Has anyone had this procedure? I went for a routine eye exam, and my eye pressure was a little high. He sent me to a glaucoma specialist. The specialist recommends Laser Iridotomy. It's where they put a hole in your eye. I have no family history of glaucoma, no nerve damage, and full field vision. I said no way. Today the regular eye dr called me and said I should, because I have narrow angle glaucoma, and COULD get an attack. But in the back of my mind, I think these two guys are hooked.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2014 18:24:15 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I've never even heard of this procedure.
I wouldn't be surprised if these guys were "hooked", as you put it. Could you get a second opinion, from a totally different place / network? I'd start there. Ask friends / colleagues for another reputable doc in either another town / the other side of town, and get a second opinion.
Best to you.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Jan 30, 2014 18:27:43 GMT -5
I too think you should ask for a second opinion.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 30, 2014 19:27:16 GMT -5
Thanks, I plan to get a second opinion. Just the thought of it makes me sick. And you're awake!
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Jan 30, 2014 19:49:25 GMT -5
Ask about an ECP.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 30, 2014 20:07:04 GMT -5
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Jan 30, 2014 20:07:53 GMT -5
Endociliary photocoagulation.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Jan 30, 2014 20:11:40 GMT -5
Google that or endolaser photocoagulation. It is a very simple procedure involving a laser an no "hole" . I have known people that have at it done.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 30, 2014 21:00:44 GMT -5
Shooby...I just read up on that. I'm not sure it is used for narrow angle, but will ask. That sounds scary too though.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Jan 30, 2014 22:37:41 GMT -5
Information is power so hopefully you and your doctors will find what us best for you.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jan 31, 2014 0:08:02 GMT -5
You should definitely get a second opinion. Is this the first time you have had elevated eye pressure? How did your doctor diagnose glaucoma if you have no nerve damage and have had a visual fields test that demonstrated no problems? Eye pressure can vary throughout the day, so you might just have been measured at a time when it was high. If you are extremely myopic, that can alter the appearance of the optic nerve but does not necessarily mean glaucoma. From my experience, the first time your eye pressure is "a little high" the next setp is another test in 6 months with examination of the optic nerve and a visual fields test. If no problems are found then, you go back in another six months and repeat. It seems very odd that a doctor would recommend an invasive procedure with the only symptom being eye pressure that is a little high.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Jan 31, 2014 6:22:17 GMT -5
Never heard of it either. Good luck with your second opinion.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Jan 31, 2014 6:41:59 GMT -5
If you think these two doctors are "hooked" then it sounds like you have doubts so a second opinion is in order. Btw what was your intraocular pressure number (IOP). What was a "little high"?
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Jan 31, 2014 8:36:27 GMT -5
I have ocular hypertension. The pressure in my eyes is a little high. It has been a little high all of my adult life. That is a precursor to glaucoma. I am checked by an opthamologist every 6 to 8 months. I use eye drops to control the high pressures. My current bottle of drops costs $5 with the insurance discount and $12 without.
I think eye surgery is great for people who want it. Personally, I don't want anybody cutting around in there. The eye drops are easy to use and rarely affect my day to day life.
I would find another more reputable doctor with a less invasive treatment strategy.
Dannylion is correct. You should have had all the tests described in the previous post.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2014 9:05:47 GMT -5
You should definitely get a second opinion. Is this the first time you have had elevated eye pressure? How did your doctor diagnose glaucoma if you have no nerve damage and have had a visual fields test that demonstrated no problems? Eye pressure can vary throughout the day, so you might just have been measured at a time when it was high. If you are extremely myopic, that can alter the appearance of the optic nerve but does not necessarily mean glaucoma. From my experience, the first time your eye pressure is "a little high" the next setp is another test in 6 months with examination of the optic nerve and a visual fields test. If no problems are found then, you go back in another six months and repeat. It seems very odd that a doctor would recommend an invasive procedure with the only symptom being eye pressure that is a little high. You are almost right, Danny. In my case, they retested the next day at a different time period. I've had glaucoma for probably ten years or more now, and I have only minimal damage to the optic nerve and normal visual fields test. So that's not the defining factor for diagnosing glaucoma. Mine also seemingly came out of nowhere, but the truth is that the optometrist had been noting that my pressures had been running high. There are two very different types of glaucoma. So one person's experience does not necessarily reflect the experience you should expect. You do need to find a good eye professional that you trust. That said, I would be a little suspicious of surgery as the first resort. But I may not have the same type as you do. One thing you may want to be aware of. Start reading the back of cold medicines. Almost every one of them makes a reference to do not take if you have glaucoma. My optometrist says that means "uncontrolled" glaucoma, but I play it safe. In your case, yours is definitely not "controlled" at this stage so I'd avoid them and start reading labels. Good luck! I was wondering if you had had your appointment with the specialist yet. Is your regular guy an optometrist or an opthamologist? Personally, I would recommend the latter even though mine is an optometrist. I have absolute trust in mine.
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amishgal
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Post by amishgal on Jan 31, 2014 11:11:47 GMT -5
I had my last eye exam last Sept and for the first time my eye pressure was also a little high, just borderline he said. The only thing he plans to do at this point is check it again this year. He said if it continued to be high there were eye drops he would prescribe.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2014 14:08:37 GMT -5
Actually, Happy prose, I started reading on WebMD about glaucoma. Drops have been the American approach, but now this surgery you mentioned is often the preferred treatment . . . especially for acute angle glaucoma. But if you don't trust your doctors, get a second opinion.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 31, 2014 16:45:46 GMT -5
You should definitely get a second opinion. Is this the first time you have had elevated eye pressure? How did your doctor diagnose glaucoma if you have no nerve damage and have had a visual fields test that demonstrated no problems? Eye pressure can vary throughout the day, so you might just have been measured at a time when it was high. If you are extremely myopic, that can alter the appearance of the optic nerve but does not necessarily mean glaucoma. From my experience, the first time your eye pressure is "a little high" the next setp is another test in 6 months with examination of the optic nerve and a visual fields test. If no problems are found then, you go back in another six months and repeat. It seems very odd that a doctor would recommend an invasive procedure with the only symptom being eye pressure that is a little high. You are almost right, Danny. In my case, they retested the next day at a different time period. I've had glaucoma for probably ten years or more now, and I have only minimal damage to the optic nerve and normal visual fields test. So that's not the defining factor for diagnosing glaucoma. Mine also seemingly came out of nowhere, but the truth is that the optometrist had been noting that my pressures had been running high. There are two very different types of glaucoma. So one person's experience does not necessarily reflect the experience you should expect. You do need to find a good eye professional that you trust. That said, I would be a little suspicious of surgery as the first resort. But I may not have the same type as you do. One thing you may want to be aware of. Start reading the back of cold medicines. Almost every one of them makes a reference to do not take if you have glaucoma. My optometrist says that means "uncontrolled" glaucoma, but I play it safe. In your case, yours is definitely not "controlled" at this stage so I'd avoid them and start reading labels. Good luck! I was wondering if you had had your appointment with the specialist yet. Is your regular guy an optometrist or an opthamologist? Personally, I would recommend the latter even though mine is an optometrist. I have absolute trust in mine. Thanks. My regular dr is an opthamologist. He sent me to a glaucoma specialist after checking pressure 6 weeks apart. Specialist recommends the surgery, and now so does first doc. In my mind, there's a discrepincy between what I was told at specialist and the notes he sent to my doc. I have an appointment with regular doc in march, and I'll bring a list of questions. If I don't like what I'm told, I'll get second (3rd?) opinion. He did warn me about medicines, both OTC and prescription. Currently I take nothing. I'm hoping the verdict is just drops or nothing.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 31, 2014 16:47:23 GMT -5
If you think these two doctors are "hooked" then it sounds like you have doubts so a second opinion is in order. Btw what was your intraocular pressure number (IOP). What was a "little high"? Shooby...I think it was 25-26.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Jan 31, 2014 16:50:39 GMT -5
You should definitely get a second opinion. Is this the first time you have had elevated eye pressure? How did your doctor diagnose glaucoma if you have no nerve damage and have had a visual fields test that demonstrated no problems? Eye pressure can vary throughout the day, so you might just have been measured at a time when it was high. If you are extremely myopic, that can alter the appearance of the optic nerve but does not necessarily mean glaucoma. From my experience, the first time your eye pressure is "a little high" the next setp is another test in 6 months with examination of the optic nerve and a visual fields test. If no problems are found then, you go back in another six months and repeat. It seems very odd that a doctor would recommend an invasive procedure with the only symptom being eye pressure that is a little high. The surgery was recommended due to 'narrow angle' which means part of an opening that normally drains is a little closed in both my eyes. The risk is a sudden attack where it could close. My mind is hearing 'slightly', so I'm bucking the surgery.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Jan 31, 2014 17:45:26 GMT -5
Whoa! Somebody you don't know or trust wants to poke a hole in your eyeball and while you are awake?! And you aren't sure about it? Gee - I can't imagine why that would give you pause. I've read further that it could be legit but I'd also get a 2nd opinion. And a 3rd, 4th and maybe a 5th one too.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2014 9:59:25 GMT -5
Whoa! Somebody you don't know or trust wants to poke a hole in your eyeball and while you are awake?! And you aren't sure about it? Gee - I can't imagine why that would give you pause. You are making this sound like the way we pierced ears back in the 1960s. Happy, you actually made me curious enough to maybe (just maybe) ask my doctor about whether this is permanent. My eyedrops are expensive (usually $120 a month copay for the two sets, but I have a discount card for the Travatan-Z). Plus, you develop resistance to the eye drops. I was on something else to begin with, had to switch to the Travatan after a few years, and then had to add the Combigan twice a day a few years ago. Do a lot of reading online and find yourself a professional that you trust.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Feb 1, 2014 10:30:37 GMT -5
I believe from what I was told, you may still have problems with pressure. This erases the chance of the angle closing. But ask your dr because I'm not sure.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2014 11:13:45 GMT -5
I believe from what I was told, you may still have problems with pressure. This erases the chance of the angle closing. But ask your dr because I'm not sure. Actually, I read more, and I have the other kind . . . wide angle. The surgery you describe is for acute angle. Good luck! Keep us updated as to what happens.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Feb 1, 2014 18:39:51 GMT -5
Thank you, I will!
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