Narrow lens laser treatment

[Fredeye]

Hello All. About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with glaucoma and prescribed Latanaprost. A month ago, I was told I had narrow lens glaucoma and was given laser treatment. A friend said she had exactly the same, and after laser treatment her pressures became perfect and she doesn't use eye drops anymore. Yesterday you can imagine my disappointment when I was told at my follow up laser appointment that I had particle debris attached to my lenses preventing perfect drainage and I should have to continue with the drops. Has anyone had this problem? Thank you.

[Pley]

I've had the laser treatment for my closed angle glaucoma over 10 years ago. But it never reduced my pressures enough for me stop taking any drops. So I've been using them as well ever since. Hope this helps.

[Fredeye in reply to Pley]

Yes, helps very much. Thank you

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi Fredeye. Unfortunately the laser treatment for narrow angles does not work as well on some as it does on others. Has your eye specialist mentioned anything about clear lens replacement (cataract) surgery? This is an alternative treatment and it can be very successful at widening the drainage angles. It's worth discussing this with your eye specialist at your next appointment.

[Fredeye]

Kieran thank you for your interest. The ophthalmologist said, usually to remove particle debris cataract surgery is performed but because my eyesight is not too bad and there is little sign of cataract she is reluctant to go forward with the procedure. I am interested to know why I have particle debris when, as I understand it, this is an usual side effect. I presume, I cannot have more laser because of causing more particle problems and it seems cataract surgery is out, so I am not sure what to do.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Fredeye,

During the first few weeks after YAG surgery, you can notice a few extra floaters in your vision. These floaters are debris remnants of your capsule and should gradually fade away out of your vision. Eye specialists would consider lens replacement if they felt the patient has very narrow drainage angles and laser/eyedrops are not sufficient in reducing the eye pressure to an acceptable reading. This would be considered whether the person has signs of cataracts or not.

thelancet.com/journals/lanc...

Laser can be repeated if the eye specialist feels this is a viable option, otherwise a second attempt would not be considered.

Carrying on with eyedrops after laser is not uncommon.

[Fredeye in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you so much for your comforting email. I cannot see anything floating across my eye. If I understood correctly, I was told the particle debris is trapped in the mesh-work preventing better drainage/pressure, and cataract surgery at this stage was best avoided because my eye sight is not too bad. I feel more optimistic if there is a possibility of the debris particles fading away.