u/Valentinab723

Lion’s mane has some interesting neuroprotective research behind it, but nothing that actually shows it helps with glaucoma or lowers IOP. The closest thing I found is a 2026 study where they tested lion’s mane extract on retinal ganglion cells in the lab (the cells glaucoma damages) and saw some growth. But that’s not a human trial. That said, neuroprotection does matter for glaucoma.

With advanced glaucoma specifically, all the surgical options do carry a higher risk of complications and vision loss compared to earlier-stage surgery. However, for most people with advanced glaucoma, the benefit of surgery still outweighs the risks because uncontrolled pressure will keep damaging the nerve regardless.
I hope others here will share their own experiences. You might also get some good responses if you post this in the FitEyes community.

Thank you for sharing this! Sleep position is an interesting topic when it comes to eye pressure.

Thank you for sharing your experience and these tips! It’s always helpful to hear different perspectives.

Thank you so much for sharing all these helpful tips! I’m sure many people in this community will appreciate you sharing them.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that, especially at such a young age. I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

Having a family member with glaucoma is an established risk factor. However, the sudden episode of vision loss does not sound typical of glaucoma. I would suggest you prioritize two things: the sudden vision loss and the ophthalmology follow-up. The ophthalmologist gathering medical students around you does not necessarily mean she discovered something serious. Your examination report is largely reassuring from a glaucoma perspective, but it cannot explain the temporary episode of vision loss. That episode deserves its own investigation. I hope your upcoming appointments go well and that you get answers soon!

One thing that may be somewhat reassuring is that IOP fluctuates throughout the day and can be affected by a lot of factors. That said, a jump from your stable 13-15 range up to 19 in both eyes on the same day is a real deviation from your own baseline, which is probably exactly why your doctor wanted to act rather than watch and wait. On the other hand, the allergy/irritation itself isn't a well-documented cause of higher IOP, but if the burning made it harder to use the drops consistently, that could show up as higher pressure. There's also a known phenomenon with brimonidine where its pressure-lowering effect can fade over time in some people, independent of any allergy, so that's another possible piece of the puzzle.
Hopefully the switch to Cosopt gives you some answers by October. Something that may help with the anxiety and depression side of this is actually learning as much as you can about glaucoma. Meditation is worth looking into too; there's a study where glaucoma patients who meditated daily for a few weeks actually saw their eye pressure drop, on top of feeling less anxious and stressed.

Some people are able to reduce or even stop their glaucoma medications after surgery, although others may still need one or more medications if the surgery alone doesn’t provide enough pressure control. How much medication is needed afterward can vary from person to person. If you wish, you can share this question in the FitEyes community, so more people can share their own experiences.
Wishing you all the best with your trabeculectomy and a smooth recovery!

Not a lot of research on this specifically, but there are three case reports out there linking levobunolol to it: one guy's eyes went from brown to blue after 5 years of using it twice a day, and a small case series adds two more patients after 8-10 years on it. It's also not a confirmed side effect.
Also worth noting, it's kind of the opposite of what most people associate with glaucoma drops and eye color. The ones that actually have solid research behind a color change (latanoprost, etc.) darken the iris, not lighten it.
Curious if anyone's actually experienced this themselves either way.

The pressure improvement is genuinely good news, even if it's hard to feel that way with everything else going on. Recovery after this kind of procedure looks different for everyone. You might also want to drop this same question in the FitEyes community, so people who have gone through the same procedure can share what their own recovery actually looked like, week by week. Hoping this next stretch brings some real improvement, and that you're back behind the wheel soon.

I can completely understand why you're scared, especially when this is your only seeing eye. Even when you know all the facts, that it's a routine procedure, your eye pressure is well controlled, and you're in the hands of an experienced glaucoma specialist, it's still a lot to carry emotionally. From everything you've shared, it sounds like you've done everything you can to put yourself in the best possible position. You're having the procedure done to reduce the risk of a serious angle-closure event, and you're having it performed by someone with extensive experience at a highly respected hospital.
Wishing you a quick recovery and many healthy years with your vision.

A 2026 study looked at this exact question. The "4 weeks" standard is really just an average time for pressure to stop rising and level off after stopping ranged from under a week to over a month depending on the individual, with a median around 18 days. So a month is a reasonable test, and it's not unusual for a doctor to extend it if the pressure is still trending upward. The reassuring part is that it reverses faster than it builds, once treatment resumes, most people are back near their treated baseline within 2-3 days. Based on the numbers you mentioned (never above 19), even a worst-case rise during the off period would likely settle in the mid-20s, not a level that causes lasting damage over a few weeks. Hopefully others here who have pigment dispersion syndrome or who have had their diagnosis changed can share their personal experiences.

Optic nerves looking healthy is a genuinely good sign, try not to spiral over the referral itself. There's also a real chance it's just ocular hypertension (high pressure, no actual nerve damage), which isn't the same thing as glaucoma. The ophthalmologist will probably redo the pressure readings and add stuff like OCT imaging, a visual field test, corneal thickness, maybe gonioscopy for the drainage angle - pressure alone doesn't tell the whole story.
Hope the wait isn't brutal; sounds like you're staying on top of things.

This is honestly one of the most thorough pre-op write-ups I've come across here.
Because your case involves several fairly specific factors together- congenital glaucoma, prior glaucoma drainage implants, a longstanding corneal scar rather than active edema, amblyopia with exotropia, and a decentered pupil needing correction alongside the PKP, I think the people best able to speak to your actual questions are those who've been through something genuinely comparable. That's a narrow group, and it's part of why this post hasn't picked up many replies yet.
You might have better luck reaching those folks through FitEyes, a glaucoma community. You're welcome to email them this question directly.
Wishing you a smooth surgery on the 25th. I hope you'll update here on how it goes; I imagine a lot of people in similar situations would find it useful.

THC has been shown to reduce IOP, which is why people started talking about marijuana as a possible glaucoma treatment years ago. CBD, on the other hand, has been shown to increase IOP. If you're taking THC gummies for pain rather than for glaucoma, I wouldn't panic based on what you read online. You may have come across discussions about THC potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing blood flow to the optic nerve. That's a theoretical concern, particularly in some people with normal-tension glaucoma or low blood pressure, but it hasn't been proven that THC itself increases optic nerve damage in humans.

Asking questions, wanting a second opinion, and trying to understand what's happening will help both your outcomes and your peace of mind. I understand being 25 and hearing "chronic" is a lot to sit with, and it makes total sense that your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. But hold onto this: your visual field came back okay. A second opinion from a glaucoma specialist is a smart move too.
The more you learn about what your numbers actually mean and what your real options look like, the less abstract and scary this tends to become. Less stress is genuinely good for your eye pressure too, so it works in your favor twice over. On the SLT: SLT is generally low-risk and outpatient, and if drops end up being the path, it's worth asking about preservative-free options given your dry eye. If you want another place to keep learning and hear from others going through similar diagnoses, FitEyes is worth a look.

Neck pressure isn't a textbook glaucoma symptom, but there's actually a real documented link between neck vein pressure and eye pressure, so it may not be just a coincidence. There's research showing that when jugular vein pressure goes up, it raises something called episcleral venous pressure, which directly raises IOP. Just adding this as another angle, on top of what others here have already said. All of it's worth bringing to your appointment. Hope you get some clarity. Keep us posted and take care!

Hi! I can't imagine being stuck in such a stressful situation. Cymbalta's own drug label literally says it should be avoided if you've got uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, cause it can cause your pupils to dilate, and that can trigger an angle closure in people who are prone to it. doesn't mean it's guaranteed to happen to everyone with narrow angles, but makes total sense why your eye doc is being cautious about it. I hope you're able to find a balance that keeps both your eyes and your mental health well managed. How's it going now, btw? I would love an update if you're comfortable sharing.

I’ve seen other people using multiple glaucoma drops mention similar experiences with dryness, changes in how their eyes feel, and irritation, and some studies have also looked at how pressure-lowering drops can affect the tear film and the ocular surface. What’s interesting is that dry eye symptoms don’t always feel the same for everyone; some people describe a gritty feeling, while others notice more of a coating, smooth, or “different” sensation. How have you been doing since you posted this? Have you noticed any changes in the smooth feeling, the dryness, or how your eyes tolerate your drops?

Hi, I just came across your post and wanted to check in. I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with this for so long. It's a complicated situation because the combination of symptoms you described can involve several different possibilities and doesn’t always point to one clear explanation. I was wondering how you’ve been doing since you shared this. Have you noticed any changes with the eyelid drooping, the pain, or the headaches? Were you able to get any more information or support?
I hope things have improved for you and that you’ve been able to find some clarity. Take care!

Visual disturbances are a reported side effect of brinzolamide/brimonidine combinations. Some people experience symptoms like blur, glare, or changes in visual quality, although it can be difficult to know whether the medication, dry eye, or another factor is the main cause. The good news is that your IOP is well controlled. How have you been doing lately? Has your night vision changed?

This is actually a really good question, and not silly at all. Some people notice changes around their eyes and wonder whether their glaucoma drops could be contributing. There is research looking at certain glaucoma drops, especially prostaglandin-type drops, and their association with changes around the eyelids and the tissues surrounding the eyes. Studies have reported changes such as deepening of the upper eyelid area, changes in the appearance of the tissues around the eyes, and in some cases eyelid drooping. So these changes around the eyelids can be very noticeable
It would be interesting to know which glaucoma drops you’re using and how long you’ve been taking them. It may help others who have noticed similar changes.

Hi, I just wanted to check in and see how things have been going since your last update. Have you been able to get in touch with the specialist or learn more about your eye pressure reading?
Waiting for answers can feel stressful, and we’d love to hear how your appointment went and whether you’ve had any new tests, updates, or information since then.
Wishing you all the best, and hoping you’ve been able to get some reassurance and clarity.

Who wouldn’t feel concerned seeing the word “glaucoma” listed on a medication label, especially when you know it runs in your family? It’s completely understandable.
From what I’ve researched, the reason stimulant medications like Tyvense/Elvanse/Vyvanse include glaucoma warnings is mainly that they may be a concern for people who are already susceptible to certain types of glaucoma, particularly angle-closure glaucoma. This warning does not mean that everyone taking the medication will develop glaucoma, but it makes sense to pay attention to your own risk factors. Glaucoma is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors, and staying informed about your eye health is always valuable.
I think you’re already doing something really positive by asking questions and looking for more information when you come across something that concerns you. Learning about your medications and understanding the reasons behind warnings can help you feel more confident in your own health journey. If you’d like to share, do you know at what age your mom was diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma? And have you had any eye exams where your eye pressure or optic nerve was checked?