Treatment
The objective of treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure. Depending on the type of glaucoma, this is achieved by medications or by surgery.
Open angle glaucoma treatment:
Most people with glaucoma can be treated successfully with eye drops. In the past, eye drops for glaucoma caused blurring of vision, but most eye drops used today have few side effects. Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and determine the best drops for you. You may need more than one type of drop. Some patients may also be treated with pills to lower pressure in the eye.
Newer drops and pills are being developed that directly protect the optic nerve from glaucoma damage.
Some patients will need additional forms of treatment, such as a laser treatment, to help open the fluid outflow channels. This procedure is usually painless. Others may need traditional surgery to open a new outflow channel.
Angle closure glaucoma treatment:
Acute angle closure attack is a medical emergency. Blindness will occur in a few days if it is not treated. Drops, pills, and medicine given by IV are used to lower pressure. The patient may also need an emergency operation, called an iridotomy. This procedure uses laser to open a new channel in the iris. The new channel relieves pressure and prevents another attack.
Congenital glaucoma:
This form of glaucoma is almost always treated with surgery to open the outflow channels of the angle. This is done with anesthesia (asleep and no pain).
Expectations (prognosis)
Open angle glaucoma:
It is important to understand that open angle glaucoma can be managed and vision will almost always be preserved, but the condition cannot be cured. Careful follow up with your doctor is important. With good care, most patients with open angle glaucoma will not lose vision.
Angle closure glaucoma:
Rapid diagnosis and treatment of an attack is the key element to preserving vision. Seek emergency care if you have the symptoms of angle closure attack.
Congenital glaucoma:
Early diagnosis and treatment is important. If surgery is done early enough, many patients will have no future problems.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have severe eye pain or a sudden loss of vision, especially loss of peripheral vision.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have risk factors for glaucoma and have not been screened for the condition.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent open angle glaucoma, but vision loss from open angle glaucoma can be prevented. Early diagnosis and careful management of the condition, if diagnosed, are the keys to preventing vision loss.
Most people with open angle glaucoma have no symptoms. All persons over 40 should have an eye examination at least every 5 years, and more often if in a high-risk group. Those in high-risk groups include people with a family history of open angle glaucoma and people of African heritage.
People at high risk for acute glaucoma may opt to undergo iridotomy before having an attack. Patients who have had an acute episode in the past may undergo the procedure to prevent recurrence.
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