Treatment Options For Glaucoma That Always Work

Glaucoma is a very serious eye condition, and if damage occurs to the eye – it cannot be reversed. But medications and surgery are here for the rescue, they can stop any further damage to the eye.

And to treat glaucoma, your eye doctor may use one or more of the following treatments:

• Medication
• Laser Surgery
• Operating Room Surgery

If the condition cannot be treated using medications, you may have to go for more powerful treatments, like laser surgery.

Medication

Eye drops are always chosen first when it comes to treating glaucoma with medication. By using Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) eye drops, the elevated eye pressure can be reduced effectively.

The eye drops work by reducing the amount of aqueous humor fluid the eye produces. Several other eyes drops work by helping fluid flow better through the drainage angle in the eye.

Glaucoma eye drops can greatly help you keep your vision, but they may also bring about some side effects.

Some eye drops may cause:

• red eyes
• changes in your pulse and heartbeat
• changes in your energy level
• changes in breathing
• a stinging or itching sensation
• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• eyelash growth
• changes in eye color

Make sure to talk with your ophthalmologist if you think you may have side effects from any glaucoma eye drops.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgeries for glaucoma are generally of two types:

• Trabeculoplasty: This laser surgery is for patients who have a type of glaucoma called open-angle. The eye surgeon uses a laser to ensure the drainage angle works effectively. That way fluid drains out properly and eye pressure is decreased.
• Iridotomy: This laser surgery is for patients who have a type of glaucoma called angle-closure. The eye surgeon uses a laser to make a tiny hole in the iris. And this hole helps fluid flow to the drainage angle in the eye.

Thus, laser surgeries help aqueous humor drain from the eye properly. And these procedures are generally performed in the ophthalmologist’s office.

Operating Room Surgery

You can opt for a more powerful glaucoma surgery which is done in an operating room.

Here are the 2 types of operating room surgeries:

• Glaucoma drainage devices: Your surgeon may implant a tiny drainage tube inside your eye which will help in sending the fluid to a collection area (also called a reservoir). This reservoir will be created by your surgeon beneath the ‘conjunctiva’. Later, the fluid is sucked up into nearby blood vessels.
• Trabeculectomy: In this surgery, your eye surgeon creates a tiny flap in the sclera part of your eyeball. Your surgeon will also make a bubble in the conjunctiva also called a filtration bleb.

It is generally hidden under the upper eyelid and cannot be seen. The fluid then will be able to drain out of the eye through the flap and into the bleb.

 

Bottom Line

Curing glaucoma effectively is like team-work between you and your doctor. And once you start your medications, your doctor may want to see you regularly. However, this can depend on your treatment needs.