Best Course of Treatment for Narrow Angle Glaucoma?

I saw my ophthalmologist last week and he told me that he has noticed a narrowing of my angles over my last three are narrowing. He wrote down Narrow Angle Glaucoma and explained the symptoms of an acute attack and the urgency of immediate treatment or risk blindness.

I am 55 years old and farsighted, however both near and distance vision have decreased considerably with age. I have had problems over the past few years with blurred distance vision, as well as halo or double vision with traffic lights. Prisms have helped somewhat, but not completely. I believe that this is what prompted my opthalmologist to focus on other causes for my vision problems and discuss them with me during my last visit.

My question has to do with laser treatment as a preventative measure. Would you recommend that this be done or wait to see if an acute attack presents itself? My instinct is to pursue prevention rather than wait for an attack that could leave me blind if I am not able to get prompt medical care.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

You definitely need to proceed with either laser iridotomies or cataract surgery (if you have visually significant cataracts, this is an option that will deepen the angle).  Laser is safe and has a few potential side effects that less than 5% of people get (discuss with your surgeon).  If you have an attack, it could lead to permanent irreversible damage to your eye.  Good luck.

HV

[Audrey_M]

I have a consultation scheduled with the ophthalmologist on September 20, after having done more research and talking to my health insurance company. I plan on having the laser iridotomies done and insurance will cover all but the copay, with this being done as an in office procedure.

Thank you for your professional advice, which was consistent with everything else I had learned.

I am holding off on having my prescription filled for new eye glasses, as I have noticed that the reading vision in my right eye is next to nothing. I can only read print when focusing through the inner part of the progressive lens on that side, whereas with the left eye, everything is in focus and I can clearly see the print. I will be asking the ophthalmologist about this.