Know the facts, know the risks, and take action! Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Healthy habits can help you avoid vision loss from glaucoma.
Reaching People at Risk. More Information. Get Email Updates. To receive email updates about diabetes and vision topics, enter your email address: Email Address. Depending on the kind of implant used, the surgery is called valve, shunt or seton surgery. In these procedures, the surgeon inserts a tiny tube through the sclera into the front part of the eye behind the iris. This tube becomes a path for fluid to drain away. The other end of the tube is attached to a tiny reservoir that acts like the bleb to hold fluid until it is absorbed into the surrounding tissue.
The reservoir is placed on the surface of the eye, back between the eye muscles, so it is not visible. Right after filtering or drainage implant surgery, a person may have a temporary decrease of vision. Vision usually improves over several weeks to its previous level. It also takes time to recuperate from either form of surgery. For example, in the weeks after surgery, people often must avoid getting water into their eyes, reading, bending, lifting heavy objects and driving.
Canaloplasty is a newer procedure to lower pressure that is performed within the eye wall but that does not actually pentrate the eye. While this procedure is safer that filtering surgery, it does not provide as profound a reduction in IOP.
These approaches currently include Trabectome and the iStent. Like canaloplasty, the procedures are less risky than filtering surgery but do not provide as profound a reduction in IOP.
More long-term data is needed to determine how well they work beyond the first few years. Use of Minimal Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries is still being debated among glaucoma specialists but may have application is specific patients. Laser Cyclophotocoagulation is used for severe cases of glaucoma. It eliminates tiny areas of the ciliary body that make aqueous fluid. Unfortunately, the new drainage path can close, causing pressure in the eye to rise again. Filtering surgery can be repeated with good results.
Also, drainage implants are often successful in patients whose filtering surgery has failed. The medicines that reduce inflammation and control scar formation after surgery have helped increase the success of glaucoma surgeries. You must work with your eye doctor if you have glaucoma.
Eye doctors know how to treat glaucoma, but they have to work with you to find the best way to treat your disease. Therefore, you and your doctor must carefully monitor the disease. Since you will be visiting your eye doctor regularly, take time and care in choosing a person who you are comfortable with.
Your doctor should understand that your questions and concerns are important. A doctor who is willing to work with you, listen to your concerns and provide the best treatment, plays a large part in your success against glaucoma. The Glaucoma Community provides a toolkit of useful, personalized features designed to meet the needs of patients and caregivers.
Find out more at responsumhealth. You may need medicines every day for the rest of your life. Find support and encouragement from your family, friends and others. Sometimes it helps to talk to people who have experienced the same thing. It can help you to discuss side effects, share ways to remember your medicines and celebrate getting your glaucoma under control.
Unfortunately, there are a few people whose eyesight will continue to get worse, despite doing all the right things to control their glaucoma. The future holds great promise for treating glaucoma. New medicines are being developed. Other treatments may soon become available. You will have many questions as your doctor diagnoses and treats your glaucoma. Write all your questions down and bring the list with you, then discuss them with your doctor. Here are some questions many people have:.
A simple technique can help keep more medicine in your eye and make glaucoma medicines more effective. Learn More…. Contact information for organizations and services that may be able to help with the cost of vision care.
Skip to content. What Is It? Download the Glaucoma Checklist. Types of Glaucoma. There are many types of glaucoma. Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma. Learn More. Who is at Risk for Glaucoma. Glaucoma Risk Factors. Signs of Glaucoma. There are three major signs that a person may have glaucoma: Optic nerve damage Increased eye pressure elevated intraocular pressure. The doctor will place a few drops in your eye to open or dilate the pupil.
Glaucoma Treatment. Glaucoma can usually be treated and controlled using medicine s , laser surgery, glaucoma surgery or a combination of these treatments.
Treating Glaucoma with Medicines. An introduction to glaucoma medicines Glaucoma medicines are usually in the form of drops, but also come in pills or ointment.
Prostaglandin Analogues. Prostaglandin Analogues are drugs that lower pressure in the eye by improving fluid drainage. Possible side effects A rare side effect may be a darkening of eye color.
Possible side effects These include possible respiratory problems, lowered heart rate and blood pressure, blurred vision, tiredness, forgetfulness, and changes in blood cholesterol levels.
Alpha-adrenergic Agonists. Alpha-adrenergic agonists are eye drops that lessen the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes and may also increase flow of fluid out of the eye. Possible side effects These include allergic reactions, dry mouth, burning of the eyes, dilated pupils, nasal decongestion, and drowsiness.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors come in pills or drops. Possible side effects The more common eye drop form of this drug may cause stinging, burning, a feeling of something in the eye, and an odd taste in the mouth. Miotics lower pressure by tightening tiny muscles inside the eye. Miotics are not commonly used any more except in certain cases Possible side effects These include decreased pupil size, blurred vision, poor night vision, nearsightedness, watering eyes, brow and eye aches, and allergic reactions.
Other Medicines. Follow Your Treatment Plan! Tips for Taking Your Glaucoma Medicine. Ask your doctor what to do if you accidentally forget a dose. The instructions may be different depending on which medicines you are taking.
Learn about the medicines you are taking and the best way to use them. Find out whether they need special handling, such as storing them in the refrigerator. If you take a combination of drops and ointments, always apply the drops first. Schedule your doses around your normal routine, such as when you wake up, when you eat meals, and when you go to bed at night.
Keep medicines in a clean place. For example, if you carry them in your purse, put them in a ziplock bag to keep them clean. If you forget a dose, do not automatically double your next dose. Tell all of your doctors about all the medicines you are taking. Glaucoma medicines may interact with drugs prescribed for other conditions.
Call your eye doctor if you notice any unusual changes in your eyes, your vision or the way you feel in general. Schedule regular checkups and follow through with them. Take care of yourself—your eyes and the rest of you along with them! Taking Eye Drop Medications. The laser has been shown to be as effective a first treatment as eye drops. This is a simple, mostly painless, quick procedure that can control eye pressure for a period of up to 5 years in some patients.
Many surgeries are available and newer ones are being constantly developed and evaluated. Most of these are reserved for patients with more advanced glaucoma, but some newer surgeries are safe enough for use earlier in the disease.
Choice of treatment depends on many factors which are unique to each patient and should be discussed with your doctor. Correct treatment usually will protect against further vision loss. Fortunately for most patients the answer is no. Blindness does occur from glaucoma but it is a relatively rare occurrence.
There are around , cases of blindness in the United States and 2. Loss of vision can occur even with the best treatment. Despite that sobering fact, correct treatment and follow-up will stabilize the vast majority of patients with glaucoma. A major factor in the treatment of your glaucoma is you.
By correctly using your eye drops and being consistent in their use, a favorable outcome will be more likely. Article by A. Sydney Williams, MD. This article appeared in the May issue of Gleams. Was this helpful?
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