I am so afraid

I am a Glaucoma suspect and have been for 7 years.  Although I have high pressure 22 - 30 my optic nerve and peripheral vision are perfect. I know that there are people with high pressure who never develop glaucoma.  I will use drops when the need is there. I have had an iridotomy in my right eye about 7 years ago and now I just had my left eye done.  The doctor said the angle was open now and he wants to dilate my eyes.  He used the term that I will be a Litmus test.  That freaked me out.  There is no way I can go to the doctor with the knowledge that as soon as the drops hit my eyes I might have an attack.  I just can't bring myself to do that.  If he would have spoken with assurance I would not be reacting this way.  I have gone awhile without dilation.  Can I continue to be monitored for the health of my eyes and watching my "glaucoma" condition without having my eyes dilated?  At this point I am just too afraid to take that chance.  I do go to a very well known specialist here in Stuart, Florida.  My original exams were done in NY by Dr. Robert Ritch.  You might have heard of him.  He said have my eye lasered and I would be good to go.  This doctor just makes me feel worried because he seems not very sure that I might have a Glaucoma attack.  What do you think of all this?  Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

For most people IOPs that go up to 30 are too high. Most studies would indicate you would be better off long term on drops to lower your IOP below 20. I would get a second opinion from a glaucoma specialist. Yes I know Dr Rich

JCH MD

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear babs42,

The laser iridotomy is usually protective of an attack of narrow angle glaucoma. Nonetheless, I would recommend that you speak with your doctor about your fears, have him examine your angles with a technique known as gonioscopy, separate dilation on two different days. He can also examine you late in the day to check your pressure.  

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California