Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Hernia Surgeon · Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
In short
- For most people whose glaucoma is under control, yes. Keep using your eye drops as usual, including on the morning of surgery.
- Keyhole groin repair tilts you head-down for a while, which raises eye pressure a little. With controlled glaucoma this is usually well tolerated.
- Tell the anaesthetist which type of glaucoma you have. A few medicines used around anaesthesia are avoided in the narrow-angle type.
You have glaucoma and use eye drops every day. Now you need a hernia repair.
It is fair to ask if the operation could harm your eyes. For most people with controlled glaucoma, it does not.
Why the eyes come up at all
Glaucoma is raised pressure inside the eye that can damage the nerve of sight.
Some things around surgery raise eye pressure for a short while. These include lying head-down, coughing, vomiting and straining.
In a healthy eye this does not matter. In glaucoma, the team keeps these rises small and short.
Your eye drops and tablets
Keep using your eye drops as usual. Use them on the morning of surgery and bring them to hospital.
Tell the nurse the times you use them, so no dose is missed while you are on the ward.
If you take glaucoma tablets, a blood test checks your body salts before the operation.
Open or keyhole repair
Keyhole groin repair needs you to lie tilted head-down for part of the operation. Gas is also used to lift the belly wall.
Both raise eye pressure a little. With controlled glaucoma, this is usually well tolerated, and the tilt is kept short.
If your glaucoma is advanced or hard to control, your surgeon may ask your eye doctor first. An open repair, which needs no tilt, may then be chosen.
Glaucoma and hernia surgery: what to plan
| Point | Why it matters | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Eye drops | They keep the pressure steady | Used as usual and brought to hospital |
| Type of glaucoma | Narrow-angle needs care with some drugs | Tell the anaesthetist the type |
| Head-down tilt in keyhole repair | Raises eye pressure a little | Kept as short as possible |
| Glaucoma tablets | Some change the body salts | A blood test checks them |
| Coughing, vomiting, straining | Push eye pressure up for a moment | Anti-sickness medicine, soft stools |
Have glaucoma and a hernia? Bring your eye drops, their names and your latest eye pressure readings.
Telling the anaesthetist
There are two main types of glaucoma. The common type is open-angle. A less common type is narrow-angle, also called angle-closure.
A few drugs used around anaesthesia can trigger trouble in the narrow-angle type. So tell the anaesthetist which type you have, or bring your eye doctor's note.
If you have had an eye procedure for glaucoma, mention that too.
After the operation
Anti-sickness medicine is given to keep vomiting away. Tell the nurse early if you feel sick.
Support the wound with a pillow when you cough. Eat fibre and drink water so you do not strain.
See your eye doctor at once if you get eye pain, redness, blurred vision or haloes around lights.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use my glaucoma eye drops on the day of surgery?
Yes. Use them as usual on the morning of surgery and bring them to hospital.
Does keyhole hernia surgery raise eye pressure?
A little, from the head-down tilt and the gas. With controlled glaucoma, this is usually well tolerated.
Is open repair better if I have glaucoma?
Not for most people. It may be chosen if the glaucoma is advanced or hard to control.
Which eye symptoms after surgery need urgent care?
Eye pain, redness, blurred vision or haloes around lights. See your eye doctor the same day.
Related pages
The main page on this site is hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
Bring your reports. Second opinions are welcome.