Hello, I am new to the group and would greatly appreciate any
information, advice and help.

I was diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes in 1999, aged 42.  Pressure
of 30 in both eyes, no family history of glaucoma.  Betagan twice
daily kept my pressures at around 16 and 19 until three months ago
when they rose to 19 and 23.  The hospital prescribed Xalatan.  I
immediately reacted to the drops, very red, sore eyes and it was
discovered at my next examination, two months later that both eyes had
a pressure of 23.

I was prescribed Lumigan and told that I would experience some redness
for the first week - but that since my eyes were already quite red I
probably wouldn't notice this.  I was given a follow up appointment
for July.  I'm in the UK and our National Health Service is not very
helpful.

A few days after I started using Lumigan, my eyes were both still
sore, I now also have headaches and my eyelids have swollen up to the
extent that I can't go out socially and my business is also suffering.

I feel quite low, to be honest, really very depressed about the
situation.

Is Lumigan a last resort medication?  Is it what is prescribed because
nothing else will work and the next step is surgery?  If Lumigan
works, will I always have soreness, redness, swelling, headaches (not
to mention blurred vision)?  I know there are so many things that are
worse than glaucoma but I feel quite devastated by the changes in my
eyes and the fact that my looks, confidence and personality have been
affected in this way.

Sorry if this is all a bit vague but it's a been quite a shock -
Betagan seemed to work for such a long time, I had some minimal
irritation but it was nothing compared with this and I'm wondering
what the future holds.

Thanks in anticipation and apologies for rambling