Ache in the eyelids and Xalatan

[rooneyandfergie]

hi I have recently as having mild glaucoma in my left eye from my visual field test. The right apparently seems okay for now. In addition, I also believe that I have dry eyes. This was due to a prolonged period of computer use and contact lens wearing that has caused the growth of many new veins in my eyes. I have found that my eyes turn red easily and feel discomfortable after using the computer. I cant use it for as long as i used to.

I sometimes feel an ache in my eyelids or around the eye. It's as if they feel a bit heavy as well. My eyes also tend to be more photophobic nowadays. After seeing an opthamologist, i think he mentioned the word 'closed angles'.

I would like to know if I am suffering from chronic closed angle glaucoma ( I understand that open angle glaucoma is the more common form) and if so is the ache in the eyelids due to that? Or is it more possible that this is a symptom of dry eyes?

In addition, I have been using Xalatan for a week now. It seems to make my eyes itchy. The itchiness seems to be transient meaning it isn't persistent but fluctuates. My eyes also seem to show signs of conjunctival hyperemia and my eyelids sometimes seem to turn a bit red along the linings which i suspect to be blepharitis. Will all these symptoms decrease in intensity and frequency as my body gets used to the drug?  Lastly, will the BAC preservative in Xalatan cause any ill effects to my dry eyes or corneal health in the long term.

Thank you.

[rooneyandfergie]

Also, by laser PI do u mean things like glaucoma drainage implants?

[rooneyandfergie]

Hi Dr Oyakawa,

Thanks for the prompt reply. To be very frank, I dont really know the difference between chronic angle closure and open angle glaucoma. I mean i have read the literature online and stuff. But is there a difference in the implications or symptoms of both types? I dont really know what 's the major distinction between both of them. As in is CACG more severe in its symptoms or more difficult to treat and open angle glaucoma is asymptomatic?

In addition, I would like to know in your clinical experience, does the side effects of Xalatan such as redness and itching usually subside with most patients as they get used to the drug?

I have read that Travatan Z uses a milder preservative compared to Xalatan. In terms of efficacy in lowering IOP, is it as effective as Xalatan?

Thanks.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Most of these questions need an exam to determine.  Chronic angle closure is diagnosed with gonioscopy and the treatment is a laser PI.  BAK causes a problem if you are allergic to it.  Xalatan can cause redness of your eyes.  This should have been discussed with you by your doctor when you started it.

Dr. O.

[rooneyandfergie]

By the way i just wish to add that I have ocular hypertension in both eyes. Its usually higher in the morning around probably 25 or 26 in both eyes. But i have a thinner cornea which my opthamologist said would cause the reading to be lower than the actual value. Added to see if there could be a correlation between the pressure and the symptoms