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Narrow Angle Glaucoma

Upon a routine eye exam w/Optomotrist last week, I was told a had narrow angle glaucoma and needed to see a specialist. I cannot get in to see a Glaucoma specialist for a month, so I was wondering if you could help me in the meantime.  My questions are:  does narrow angles always lead to angle closure ?  Can it just be monitored if you do not have any symptoms?  Is it always in both eyes, or can one eye just have a narrow angle?
I have read so much about preventative Iridotomy that I don't think I can ever have it done.  Is there any way to get around that procedure?  Also, I have been using Xanax off an on for about 20 years.  Could this have made it worse?
Do you know of anything else I can take?  When I talked to a pharmacist, she said she never heard of Xanax having a warning about Glaucoma, but it is on the Xanax website - specifically naming  narrow angle glaucoma .  

Thank you so much for your  help.
3 Responses
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Here is a reference on angle closure it explains everything:

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic752.htm

Laser iridotomies are ultra safe and very few people have all the problems with glare that are posted. here.   Such complaints can be minimized by putting the LPI at the 3 or 9 oclock position rather than at the 12 oclock position.

JCH III MD
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your response.

Could you please explain what occludable means?  I want to be very informed when I do go to the specialist.  I have read many negative things about Iridotomy - specifically that you can never drive again.  Do you find this the case with your patients?

Thank you again,
Zoey
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If your angles are occludable you will need a laser iridectomy. Its not that big of an operation. Last one I did took about 20 second to make the hole in the iris. Its also not that painful. Most always both eyes need a LPI. Lots of medicine could cause an attack of angle closure with occludable angles.

JCH III MD
Helpful - 0
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