Xalatan usage in young adults?

Question

I have been getting conflicting stories as to if I should be placed on eye drops. I have high pressure and thin corneal wall. I am 31 years old. Is this too young to be put on Xalatan? Should I get a second opinion?

Answer 1

If you are getting conflicting stories, I assume you already have a second opinion.  Or are the conflicting stories from friends and relations as opposed to health professionals?  The only stories to pay attention to are those from the professionals.

The need for Xalatan use is not based on age.  The need for it would be based on a diagnosis of glaucoma.  High pressure and thin corneas alone are not a diagnosis of glaucoma.  Glaucoma diagnosis would require evidence of optic nerve damage, such as optic nerve appearance, field loss or nerve fiber layer loss found in imaging such as OCT or HRT.

You may be "glaucoma suspect", which means you have significant risk factors for glaucoma (high IOP, thin cornea) but do not yet have the disease.  You need to have regular checks, so that if you do develop glaucoma, it is found early.  About 75% of glaucoma suspects never develop glaucoma.

Answer 2

Yes.