Glaucoma

What are the treatments for the condition?

Most cases of glaucoma can be controlled by using eye drops, such as timolol, latanoprost, brimonidine or dorzolamide, one or more times a day. The drops either decrease fluid production in the eye or open the fluid drainage system. More than one type of eye drop may be needed. Several new drops are available, giving doctors more choices.

Some cases of glaucoma are better managed with laser treatment. Laser treatment is directed at the drainage area at the root of the iris. This procedure can allow people to use fewer drops or none at all. If eye drops alone do not help, laser treatment plus eye drops usually controls the glaucoma.

In a few cases, surgery is needed to control the pressure. A small hole is made at the edge of the cornea, or the surface of the eye, so that fluid can filter out from underneath.

Finally, oral medications, such as acetazolamide, can be used to better manage the pressure. As with drops, oral medications must be taken regularly and continuously. Use of eye medications should be reported to all other doctors when giving health and medication history.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Glaucoma medications may have some irritating side effects. Some drops may cause:

Pills sometimes cause:

With surgery, serious complications are rare, but can occur. This must be discussed with the eye doctor before the operation. It is safer to operate than to allow optic nerve damage to continue.

How is the condition monitored?

With any type of glaucoma, routine examinations are important. Because glaucoma can get worse without the person's awareness, treatment may need to change. If the condition seems under control, examinations are usually done at least three times a year with a visual field examination annually. More frequent testing may need to be done when control seems poor. Medications for glaucoma should never be stopped or changed without first consulting the eye doctor. Early detection and proper treatment are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness.