Glaucoma

Because vision loss due to glaucoma can't be recovered, it's important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure so a diagnosis can be made in its early stages and treated appropriately. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have the condition, you'll generally need treatment for the rest of your life.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of your condition. For example:

• Open-angle glaucoma

• Patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) or central vision, frequently in both eyes

• Tunnel vision in the advanced stages

• Acute angle-closure glaucoma

• Severe headache

• Eye pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Blurred vision

• Halos around lights

• Eye redness

If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness. Even with treatment, about 15 percent of people with glaucoma become blind in at least one eye within 20 years.

When to see a doctor

Promptly go to an emergency room or an eye doctor's (ophthalmologist's) office if you experience some of the symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma, such as severe headache, eye pain and blurred vision.

Glaucoma Treatment

Open-angle glaucoma is most often treated with combinations of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. Doctors tend to start with medications, but early laser surgery or microsurgery could work better for some people.

Eye drops. These either lower the creation of fluid in your eye or increase its flow out, lowering eye pressure. Side effects can include allergies, redness, stinging, blurred vision, and irritated eyes. Some glaucoma drugs may affect your heart and lungs. Because of potential drug interactions, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical problems you have or other medications you take. Also let them know if it’s hard for you to follow a regimen involving two or three different eye drops or if they have side effects. They may be able to change your treatment.

Oral medication. Your doctor might also prescribe medication for you to take by mouth, such as a beta-blocker or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. These drugs can improve drainage or slow the creation of fluid in your eye.

Laser surgery. This procedure can slightly raise the flow of fluid from your eye if you have open-angle glaucoma. It can stop fluid blockage if you have angle-closure glaucoma. Procedures include:

• Trabeculoplasty. This opens the drainage area.

• Iridotomy. This makes a tiny hole in your iris to let fluid flow more freely.

• Cyclophotocoagulation. This treats areas of the middle layer of your eye to lower fluid production.

Microsurgery. In a procedure called a trabeculectomy, your doctor creates a new channel to drain the fluid and ease eye pressure. This form of surgery may need to be done more than once. Your doctor might implant a tube to help drain fluid. This surgery can lead to temporary or permanent vision loss, as well as bleeding or infection.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). This is a newer less invasive form of surgery which usually requires tiny openings and uses devices you can’t see with the naked eye. Its generally faster and safer, but won’t lower pressure by quite as much. The procedure can also be done at the same time as other procedures like cataract surgery.

Open-angle glaucoma is most often treated with combinations of eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and microsurgery. Doctors tend to start with medications, but early laser surgery or microsurgery could work better for some people.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is usually treated with a laser procedure.

Infant or congenital glaucoma -- meaning you’re born with it -- is usually treated with surgery because the cause is a problem with your drainage system.