Information on Glaucoma Treatment

Treatment for glaucoma aims to lower the internal pressure of the eye and prevent any loss of vision, or any further deterioration in vision. Options include medicine given as eye drops, laser treatment and surgery. Treatment can't reverse any existing optic nerve damage, so it won't improve your sight if it has already deteriorated.

Glaucoma may be treated with either medication or surgery. Medication is usually tried first. The drugs used are substances that reduce intraocular pressure. In general, they either decrease the rate at which aqueous humor is produced in the eye, or they increase the rate at which it is drained off. All of the medications used for glaucoma have side effects. Various individual drugs and combinations of drugs may have to be tried to see which works best for any one patient.

Treatment is designed to lower the IOP by reducing production or increasing outflow of aqueous humor. Depending on the type of glaucoma, medications or surgery are used. IOP usually can be lowered using different medications in the form of eyedrops (see How to Instill Your Eyedrops) and oral or IV medications.

Although nerve damage and visual loss from glaucoma cannot usually be reversed, glaucoma is a disease that can generally be controlled. That is, treatment can make the intraocular pressure normal and, therefore, prevent or retard further nerve damage and visual loss. Treatment may involve the use of eye drops, pills (rarely), laser, or surgery.

This process of producing and removing the fluid from the eye is similar to that of a sink with the faucet always turned on, producing and draining the water. If the sink's drain becomes clogged, the water may overflow. If this sink were a closed system, as is the eye, and unable to overflow, the pressure in the sink would rise. Likewise, if the eye's trabecular meshwork becomes clogged or blocked, the intraocular pressure may become elevated.

Glaucoma can usually be treated effectively by using eye drops or other medicines. In some cases surgery may be necessary. Unfortunately, any loss of vision from glaucoma cannot usually be restored. But, early detection, prompt treatment and regular monitoring can enable you to continue living in much the same way as you have always lived. Protect your eye health and your Be sure to visit your doctor of ophthalmology or optometry regularly.

Medication

Beta-Blockers work to lower the intraocular pressure by decreasing the rate at which fluid flows into the eye. Side effects may include a slow or irregular heartbeat, depression, impotence, drowsiness, double vision and breathing problems for patients with asthma or emphysema.

Operative Surgery

When operative surgery is needed to treat glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will use a microscope and specialized instruments to create a new bypass drainage channel for the eye fluid to leave the eye. The new channel helps to lower the eye pressure. Surgery will be recommended only if your ophthalmologist feels the benefit of a lower eye pressure achieved with an operation outweighs possible complications and/or further progression of optic nerve damage.

Sometimes, medication is not enough to decrease pressure in the eye. In these situations, laser or surgical treatments may be able to stop the progression of glaucoma. Get the facts from your doctor about which treatment options are appropriate for you.

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