Individuals with glaucoma usually have high levels of pressure in their eyes. High pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision issues such as spotting or even full blindness. However, there are treatments that can lessen the effects of glaucoma. Here are a few such procedures you may encounter:
Eye drops
The Mayo Clinic notes that glaucoma damage cannot be reversed, but treatments can slow vision loss. Eye drops can help promote fluid drainage from your eyes which lessens the pressure that may lead to blindness. Prostaglandin beta blockers (Xalatan, Travatan), alpha-adrenergic agonists (Alphagan, Iopidine), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (Asopt, Trusopt) and miotic or cholinergic agents (Miostat, Phospholine) all change the way fluid is drained, improving the condition of your eyes.
These medications do come with potential side effects, such as high blood pressure, fatigue, blurred vision, dry mouth, slowed heart rate and impotence.
Oral medicine
Eye drops are the first step in a treatment plan to maintain sight in individuals with glaucoma. If these prescriptions don’t work, an ophthalmologist or other physician may suggest adding oral medication to your regimen. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as Diamox Sequels and Glauctabs, are commonly used to treat glaucoma, but may cause frequent urination, depression, stomach issues and other unpleasant side effects.
Surgery
In individuals whose glaucoma has progressed and is severely affecting his or her sight, a physician may recommend surgery. Electrocautery involves the use of a small tool that cauterizes or burns tissue from the patient’s trabecular meshwork. When these tissues become too thick, they can interfere with fluid drainage and lead to glaucoma. Laser therapy is another surgical procedure that may be used to treat those with open-angle glaucoma. A doctor will use a laser to open the trabecular meshwork, which will assist in improving fluid flow from the eye and reduce potentially damaging intraocular pressure.
Some patients with severe glaucoma may turn to filtering surgery where it’s necessary to make a hole in the eye white, known as the sclera, to take away some of the trabecular meshwork and improve fluid flow. A less high-tech method, inserting drainage tubes, may also be used to address budding glaucoma and the vision issues that accompany the condition.
To determine which treatment is best for you, a doctor or ophthalmologist will assess your condition’s severity and talk about potential options. You should also check with your insurance provider to see what is covered under your current plan as this may affect your decision.
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