Glaucoma
How is it treated?
Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, but treatment can control the progression of the disease. The primary goal of treatment is to prevent further damage to the eye by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) and to ultimately prevent blindness. Treatment of glaucoma may include medications, surgery, or a combination of medication and surgery.
For open-angle glaucoma, topical eye medications (eyedrops, gels and ointments) are often used early in the disease followed by oral medications or surgery. Surgery is frequently used in individuals who do not experience adequate lowering of intraocular pressure by the medications or in individuals who experience unwanted side effects from using medications. For closed-angle glaucoma, laser surgery is often performed before a doctor prescribes medications, but glaucoma medications may also be given after the surgery.
Topical beta-blocking eye medications are commonly used as initial therapy for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. Additional agents may be added to the beta-blocker if the intraocular pressure (IOP) remains elevated. The choice of the second medication often depends on how well the drug is tolerated, how well it works, and its ease of use. It is important to know that up to four different topical medications may be needed to treat glaucoma.
There are several types of topical medications that are used for the treatment of glaucoma. These medications work to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by either decreasing the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes or by helping the aqueous fluid drain from the eye. The topical eyedrops, gels or ointment may cause burning, stinging, or redness when instilled into the eye, although these side effects are usually tolerable. If you have problems using one topical eye medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist because using a different drug or dosage may be possible.
Medications can be taken by mouth when topical eye medications are not effective at controlling or reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). Medications taken by mouth may also be used alone or in combination with topical eye medications to lower the pressure. Often, patients experience more side effects with the medications taken by mouth than with topical eye medications.
Drug classes used to treat Glaucoma Beta-Blockers - Ophthalmics Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor and Beta-Blocker Combination Ophthalmics Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Miotics Prostaglandin Analogues Sympathomimetics
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How is it treated?
