How Will Your Glaucoma Be Treated?
Hearing your eye doctor say, "you have glaucoma" can be a little worrisome. Surely, one of your first questions will be, "how can it be treated?" The short answer to this question is, "it depends." Below, you will find descriptions of the most common treatments for glaucoma.
Prostaglandin Eye Drops
One of the first treatments your eye doctor will likely recommend is prostaglandin eye drops. These medications help encourage fluid to leave the back of your eye, which will reduce your high eye pressure — the hallmark problem with glaucoma. Prostaglandin eye drops are used once a day and have mild side effects, including darkening of the eyes.
Beta-Blockers
If prostaglandin eye drops do not bring your eye pressure down considerably within a few weeks, then your eye doctor will probably prescribe beta-blockers. These medications are taken orally, and they work by reducing the amount of fluid that your eyes actually produce. They can cause reduced blood pressure, fatigue, and a slowed heart rate as side effects, so your eye doctor will closely monitor your heart health while you're taking beta-blockers. That being said, they are safe for most patients and are a good choice for patients who suffer from glaucoma and high blood pressure in combination.
Pilocarpine
Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agent that works by interacting with certain neurotransmitters. It increases the amount of fluid that flows out of your eye, lowering your eye pressure. Pilocarpine can be really effective, but it does cause side effects like blurry vision and headaches in some patients, so it is typically only prescribed if beta-blockers and prostaglandins are not giving good results. Pilocarpine also has to be used up to 4 times per day, which many patients find inconvenient.
Laser Surgery
If glaucoma progresses to the point that it is not easily managed with medications, then your eye doctor will likely recommend that you undergo surgery. These days, most glaucoma surgeries are performed with lasers, which ensures a great deal of accuracy and a very low risk of side effects. The laser is used to close channels in the back of your eye. This prevents fluid from flowing through these channels and into the back of your eye, which reduces eye pressure over time.
Glaucoma is a progressive, degenerative disease, and there is no cure. However, there are plenty of treatments that will slow or stop the progression of your illness, and your eye doctor will recommend the one that is best for you.
To learn more about glaucoma treatment, contact an eye care center in your area today.
Share