Hi BurningM,
I’m so sorry you are having to deal with glaucoma on top of everything else! I may have a suggestion for you.
If your allergies and sensitivities (and ocular dryness) are caused or exacerbated by mast cells (very common in us), if you treat the mast cells, you may be able to tolerate the drops.
Did you happen to read my theory which includes our tendency to have mast cell disease? Of course, please talk to your doctor first, but my kids and I went on a double dose of Zantac and Zyrtec to start. Wow — what a difference! We are starting prescription medication today (Gastrocrom). For my eyes (and my son’s), the dryness is PAINFUL dryness. Pataday (by Rx) is a mast cell stabilizer that may help calm your ocular reactions. I, again, double dose it (I’ve been called Dr Double Dose Diana. ha. Be sure to ask your doc). Your eye doc can likely give you a couple of free samples (give it at least 2 weeks for the full benefit, OK?) With some systemic and ocular mast cell treatment, you may be able to tolerate the preservative.
Also, with SLK (which is usually due to vernal conj — an allergic reaction — do you know if you have this?), your doc may be OK with you going on Alrex (a mild steroid that shouldn’t increase your ocular pressure). That should make you feel much better. Do you wear contact lenses?
Finally, drum roll please — please ask your doc if you can try Travatan Z — it is just like Travatan but with NO BAK! How great is that? If you seem to “react” to that, then your doc is right — you are likely getting the “normal” red eye, itching, soreness, etc from the drops. This reaction is NOT an allergic reaction. It is a side effect. In most people, it diminishes over time.
Sound like a plan?
🙂 Diana