24 months ago

MrMurdock10019 • 60

@_567

Hello, all!

As someone newly diagnosed, I am getting really concerned about having to wait months at a time for IOP checks. At my next doctor's visit, I will be trying to get a prescription for a home tonometer, but am otherwise just waiting in anxiety on whether my drops are having the desired effects or not.

The thought that has been racing through my head is if my drops, combined with IOP-reducing lifestyle changes, could possibly cause my pressure to get too low and lead to even bigger problems. I think I can free myself from this anxiety if and when I can get my tonometer, but since I was diagnosed with normal tensions of about 14/15, I can't help but worry if the drops, Xelpros in this case, may get me way below 10mmg, and cause irreversible damage before I have to wait for my next appointment.

I would sincerely appreciate any advice you all can share! Perhaps our bodies have an ability to self-regulate and keep the pressure from getting too low, even with medication? Or, if I have been staying at sub 10 readings daily, would it only lead to major complications over a long period, such as 3-6 months? Again, thank you kindly for allowing me to vent and hopefully gain some peace with how at-risk and vulnerable I feel without a home tonometer.

24 months ago

david 4.3k

@david_fe

It sounds like you are on the right track. I think you will be very relieved to have a tonometer. Knowing my pressure gives me a lot of comfort.

Is it possible for drops to be too effective and cause dangerously low pressure?

Short answer: no. Long answer: if it possibly could happen (which I doubt), I have never actually heard of it happening. So I don't think you should worry about that.

since I was diagnosed with normal tensions of about 14/15, I can't help but worry if the drops, Xelpros in this case, may get me way below 10mmg, and cause irreversible damage before I have to wait for my next appointment.

Again, the short answer is that you do not need to be concerned about that. My guess is that Xelpros may get you to an IOP of around 10. But even if you are lucky enough for it to reduce your IOP to 8 or 9, that's not a cause for concern over the next month. If you should have any concerns (and I don't think you should over the next month) it would likely be that the Xelpros might not reduce your IOP to your target.

if I have been staying at sub 10 readings daily, would it only lead to major complications over a long period, such as 3-6 months?

It would lead to no complications at all. Your IOP would have to go much lower than that for you to suffer from any major complications over the next month. Even if your IOP was at 6 or 7 for the next month, that would not lead to any major complications.

You can relax and enjoy the holidays :)