Glaucoma is an eye disease that is often associated with increase in intraocular pressure.This pressure on optic nerve can damage it and can lead to blindness.
Damage to optic nerve causes blindness.
The increase intraocular pressure can be due to any reason such as,
- Increased production of aqueous humor
- Decrease outflow of aqueous humor
- Blockage of trabecular meshwork
Treatment of glaucoma:
Eyedrops:
Mostly eyedrops are prescibed for treatment of glaucoma.
Prescription eyedrop medications include:
- Prostaglandins. These increase the outflow of the fluid in your eye (aqueous humor) and reduce pressure in your eye. Examples include latanoprost (Xalatan) and bimatoprost (Lumigan). Possible side effects include mild reddening and stinging of the eyes, darkening of the iris, changes in the pigment of the eyelashes or eyelid skin, and blurred vision.
- Beta blockers. These reduce the production of fluid in your eye, thereby lowering the pressure in your eye (intraocular pressure). Examples include timolol (Betimol, Timoptic) and betaxolol (Betoptic). Possible side effects include difficulty breathing, slowed heart rate, lower blood pressure, impotence and fatigue.
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists. These reduce the production of aqueous humor and increase outflow of the fluid in your eye. Examples include apraclonidine (Iopidine) and brimonidine (Alphagan). Possible side effects include an irregular heart rate; high blood pressure; fatigue; red, itchy or swollen eyes; and dry mouth.
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Rarely used for glaucoma, these drugs may reduce the production of fluid in your eye. Examples include dorzolamide (Trusopt) and brinzolamide (Azopt). Possible side effects include a metallic taste, frequent urination, and tingling in the fingers and toes.
- Miotic or cholinergic agents. These increase the outflow of fluid from your eye. An example is pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine). Side effects include smaller pupils, possible blurred or dim vision, and nearsightedness.
Oral medications
If eyedrops alone don’t bring your eye pressure down to the desired level, your doctor may also prescribe an oral medication, usually a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.
Possible side effects include
- frequent urination,
- tingling in the fingers and toes,
- depression,
- stomach upset, and
- kidney stones.
Surgery and other therapies:
Other treatment options include laser therapy and various surgical procedures.
Possible complications include
- pain,
- redness,
- infection,
- inflammation,
- bleeding,
- abnormally high or low eye pressure,
- loss of vision.
- Some types of eye surgery may speed the development of cataracts.
You’ll need to see your doctor for follow-up exams. And you may eventually need to undergo additional procedures if your eye pressure begins to rise or other changes occur in your eye.
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