Gransnet forums

Health

Glaucoma laser surgery took a while to work

(8 Posts)
truman Sat 04-Jul-26 18:55:32

Has anyone had Glaucoma laser surgery which took a few months to work. I had the surgery had a check up after two months and the pressures had not changed by much. I went back after another 2 months and they have come down to normal eye pressures. All this time I just continued with my normal eye drops for Glaucoma.

V3ra Sat 04-Jul-26 19:07:34

Were you warned it would take some time to show an improvement after surgery?
I'm interested because my husband has glaucoma, and nightly drops, but only one eye is (currently) affected.

truman Sat 04-Jul-26 19:29:25

No I was not warned it would take some time to work. I thought I would have to try some more different drops. None of them worked so I carried on with the drops I had been on since the beginning as they suit me and gave me no side affects. I was so surprised when I went for a check up to find out the pressures had dropped to a normal level. I only have one eye which is affected as well.

V3ra Sat 04-Jul-26 19:33:18

Interesting, thank you for your explanation.

Delila Sat 04-Jul-26 19:50:53

Have you been able to discontinue the drops yet Truman?

winterwhite Sat 04-Jul-26 20:19:10

Interested in this thread because I may be faced with the same thing. What are the determining factors for laser surgery versus drops? Thanks

truman Sun 05-Jul-26 09:47:43

My consultant wants to see me again in September to see if the drops are the holding the pressures at the lower level. He has not mentioned coming off drops altogether. To be honest I thought I would be on them for life. When I was first diagnosed with Glaucoma my right eye was 23 and my left was 20. I took various different drops but the pressure would not drop below right eye 19 and left eye 17. This is when he said to try the Laser Surgery. My right eye is now 15 and my left eye 13. He is happy with that as no damage will be done at those levels. I only have Glaucoma in my right eye and just ocular pressure in my left (no damage to optical nerve). I had my eyes tested in 2020 with no sign of Glaucoma. When I went for an eye test in 2023 I did. So it does appear quickly. I always say to people do go for an eye test and catch it early as it can be treated, not reversed but slowed down. Eye tests are free for over 60s and you can have one every 2 years. Also if anyone has cataracts do get them removed. Its a painless procedure. I had both my eyes done in 2025. I have always been short sighted since I was a teenager and it was getting worse. You can choose which lenses you want either distance or reading. I obviously chose distance and have glasses just for reading. I now have 20/20 vision. To me it was life changing. If I did not wear my glasses my husbands face was blurry even if he was sat in the chair opposite me. That is how bad it was.

Pittcity Sun 05-Jul-26 12:29:04

I am on the waiting list for glaucoma laser surgery on both eyes.
I was told that I was a good candidate for laser as opposed to drops because I was young (63) and my glaucoma was only just beginning. The consultant also said that the surgery would probably have to be repeated as the pressures are relieved and then start to build again.
The fact that I am waiting is good news as those with a more serious problem are seen first.