Wellness

[mishka14]

My eye Dr. today said I should have Laser Iridotomy on both eyes because I am at risk for

developing Angle-closure glaucoma....

anyone had this done?  reading all the after side effects are scary me to death...

I don't have it yet ( Angle-closure glaucoma)  but am at risk for developing it...

Anyone can give me some info I would much appreciate it.. Thanks.

[Trix]

@mishka14, Sorry I don't have any information to share.  However, I think it's wise to question any doctor who suggests surgery for any reason, and seek to as much information as possible about the condition.  Given your situation is only speculative that would lead me to want at least  three opthalmologist opinions, and that of my trusted primary before seriously considering this surgery.   

[monalisa1452]

I had this done last year.  We had been watching my eyes and finally decided it was time.

i had no side effects and actually even drove home after the procedure. 

[bowlicious]

I had it a little over a year ago. In my case I was having problems with my right eye which was causing me headaches and pain. It took a while to heal but since it has it is much better and I don't get headaches or pain any more. Getting glaucoma can have serious effects so be sure you talk to your dr about those.

[mishka14]

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@monalisa1452 wrote:

I had this done last year.  We had been watching my eyes and finally decided it was time.

i had no side effects and actually even drove home after the procedure. 

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thank you monalisa.....did you have angle-closure glaucoma or were you at risk for it....

did you get a 2nd opinion before having it done?  thanks...

[Jbar]

I know how you feel. Maybe my experience will help. At an annual exam the optometrist

didn't want to dilate my eyes because he said the angles between my iris & cornea in

each eye were narrow and it could cause a narrow angle glaucoma attack.

I had never been told that before and had never heard of such a thing. (age 65)  I had no  

symptoms and normal eye pressure.  Like you are doing now I researched and read many 

horror stories.  I read that only 10% with narrow angles ever have a problem.  I was ready

to take my chances and waited several months.  I went to a glaucoma specialist  (Jan. 20

2016.)  He confirmed the narrow angles and suggested a procedure called "gonioplasty."

You can look up the tecnical explanation.  He numbed my eye with drops then did about 

20 laser "zaps" around the perimeter of the iris.  My eyes were done a week apart.  The 

doctor said that in 20 years he had only seen one person this procedure didn't work for

and had to have the iridotomy.  The gonioplasty is less invasive and has fewer risks.

I have since had cataract surgery in both eyes and am doing fine.  My advice is to

find a glaucoma specialist in a large area if that is possible.  Best wishes.

[mishka14]

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@Jbar wrote:

I know how you feel. Maybe my experience will help. At an annual exam the optometrist

didn't want to dilate my eyes because he said the angles between my iris & cornea in

each eye were narrow and it could cause a narrow angle glaucoma attack.

I had never been told that before and had never heard of such a thing. (age 65)  I had no  

symptoms and normal eye pressure.  Like you are doing now I researched and read many 

horror stories.  I read that only 10% with narrow angles ever have a problem.  I was ready

to take my chances and waited several months.  I went to a glaucoma specialist  (Jan. 20

2016.)  He confirmed the narrow angles and suggested a procedure called "gonioplasty."

You can look up the tecnical explanation.  He numbed my eye with drops then did about 

20 laser "zaps" around the perimeter of the iris.  My eyes were done a week apart.  The 

doctor said that in 20 years he had only seen one person this procedure didn't work for

and had to have the iridotomy.  The gonioplasty is less invasive and has fewer risks.

I have since had cataract surgery in both eyes and am doing fine.  My advice is to

find a glaucoma specialist in a large area if that is possible.  Best wishes.

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Hi,  thank you so much to take the time to tell me all of this, it has really helped me....I will definitely think about finding a glaucoma specialist...

[monalisa1452]

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@mishka14 wrote:

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@monalisa1452 wrote:

I had this done last year.  We had been watching my eyes and finally decided it was time.

i had no side effects and actually even drove home after the procedure. 

---

thank you monalisa.....did you have angle-closure glaucoma or were you at risk for it....

did you get a 2nd opinion before having it done?  thanks...

i was at risk.  My first eye doctor watched it for a year or two. And he recommended I do it.  As it turned out, I switched doctors, and my new guy recommended it as well.  

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[mishka14]

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@monalisa1452 wrote:

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@mishka14 wrote:

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@monalisa1452 wrote:

I had this done last year.  We had been watching my eyes and finally decided it was time.

i had no side effects and actually even drove home after the procedure. 

---

thank you monalisa.....did you have angle-closure glaucoma or were you at risk for it....

did you get a 2nd opinion before having it done?  thanks...

i was at risk.  My first eye doctor watched it for a year or two. And he recommended I do it.  As it turned out, I switched doctors, and my new guy recommended it as well.  

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I just made an appointment at a new Dr. for a 2nd opinion.  But won't be able to see him until May 18th...I was suppose to have the 1st eye done tomorrow, but just couldn't go through with it and cancelled the appointment.  Let's see what the new eye Dr. has to say.  He is 1 hour away but  at least if he says I should have it done I will feel better about the whole thing.

[SaRina]

Hi @mishka14.  I had it done a few years ago. Narrow-angle glaucoma seems to run on my mother's side of the family. I asked my ophthalmologist way back if he could check my eyes for it on my annual exams. It was a couple of years later that he said we should probably take care of it -- that it's a very simple procedure and once it's done, it's done. So I didn't even go for a second opinion because I knew it was in the family and understood how important it was to take care of. In your situation, it's a good idea to go for the 2nd opinion.

The procedure itself is easy peasy. I'm squeamish about my eyes -- never had a problem in my life -- and so I was pretty freaked out beforehand. You sit in the exam chair as usual with your chin resting in the cup. The doc "zaps" the laser about 5-6 times in your eye and that's it. The zap feels like a split second pinch. It doesn't hurt. I went back several weeks later to have my other eye done. There were absolutely no after effects and now I don't have to worry about the angle closing when I'm older. It's permanent. There was no question it had to be done.

Best wishes!