Catarcts & Glaucoma Surgery

Hi,

My 83yr old mother has both cataracts and glaucoma. The fluid pressure
in her eyes ranges between 24 and 28. Her long standing specialist
recently suggested a laser operation to relieve the glaucoma.

She sought a second opinion and the recommendation was to do the
cataracts only, as probably the pressure will lower itself afterwards.

Then she went to see a thirds specialist who suggested that she should
have surgery for both the cataracts and glaucoma together, because in
his opinion, the fluid pressure raises after a cataracts operation and
also there is a high risk that debris can block the drainage channels.
Both felt that in her case the proposed laser surgery would be a waste
of money and time.

She is now completely at a loss.

Any suggestions most welcome and many thanks.

Best Regards
Craig

This is what you get from going from one surgeon to another - 3
opinions.

Third guy is mostly correct. Laser, presumably a trabeculectomy isn't
that effective, although does work for some. The best option is
filtration surgery and cataract surgery done separately, although a
double procedure can be quite effective.

Get the best glaucoma guy in your state to do the surgery.

dr grant

Hi dr grant,

Many thanks for your reply. I should have added that she is not on eye
drops because she is allergic and also that she has angle closure
glaucoma.

Best Regards
Craig

I go with the second opinion: the angles should open upon removal of
the lenses and the pressure should go down.

DrG

Assuming the diagnosis of angle colsure is correct, then the cataract
surgery should be all that is needed.

Make sure the doctor knows what he is talking about.

dr grant

CatmanX wrote:

> This is what you get from going from one surgeon to another - 3
> opinions.
>
> Third guy is mostly correct. Laser, presumably a trabeculectomy isn't
> that effective, although does work for some. The best option is
> filtration surgery and cataract surgery done separately, although a
> double procedure can be quite effective.
>
> Get the best glaucoma guy in your state to do the surgery.

My mom was diagnosed with glaucoma several years after her cataract surgery
(old style) by the guy who did the surgery. She used the drops for a couple
of years. Various stuff happened and she went to the Doheny
opththalmologists, who said her pressure was just fine and she didn't need
the drops (her pressure has been fine for at least two years now).

Can glaucoma cure itself?

--
Cheers,
Bev
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"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the
bodies of the people who ****ed me off."