Any opticians about? (IOP related)

[NaToth]

My optician knew I had a cataract that was growing faster than usual and I was effectively blind in that eye as a result.

I saw him for a check up recently and he checked my intro-ocular pressures, the pressure in that eye was 34. I asked him if it was not perhaps a bit high and was told in response that perhaps it was, but there was nothing to worry about. He's been in practice for thirty five years plus, so I figured he would know.

Two days later I developed acute glaucoma and was admitted to hospital, where I had an emergency peripheral iridotomy, I experienced the worst pain I have ever felt in my life, much worse than childbirth and not responsive even to morphine.

The following week, the cataract was removed and I am now recovering , but I can't help wondering if things could have been different.

What would you do with a patient in that situation. Is an IOP of 34 really nothing to worry about? Was I just very unlucky?

Thanks

I'm not an optician but a glaucoma patient, and I found your experience pretty shocking - IMO, with a IOP of 34 you should have been referred to a specialist urgently.

Normal eye pressure ranges from 12-22 mm Hg.
www.glaucoma.org/gleams/high-eye-pressure-and-glaucoma.php

My optician referred me to Moorfields when my IOP was 21 because both my parents had glaucoma. Moorfields classed me as a glaucoma "suspect" and monitored me for 8 years at which point I was told I needed daily eye drops. After another 2 years, the drops weren't working so well so I was advised to have surgery (trabeculectomy in each eye) to save my sight.

It's now almost 3 years after surgery, and my pressure has been low and stable without needing eye drops.

If my optician hadn't made that initial urgent referral, I might not be typing this right now. I'm just so very grateful to him and Moorfields who have been brilliant.

If I were you, I'd complain about your current optician and start looking for a new one - avoid anyone who believes a IOP of 34 is nothing to worry about!

Optometrist here, an IOP of 34 is not normal! Yes the cataract could have caused your pressure to become raised, but at 34 I would been on the phone to the on call ophthalmologist for advice.

Also out of interest did you not want to be referred for cataract surgery?

Thanks all.

I was actually already on the waiting list for cataract surgery, but had been told I would have to wait over a year!

34 is very high.
I've pm'd you with some advice.