Glaucoma Care
Glaucoma Care
Types of Glaucoma
Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common type, characterized by a gradual increase in eye pressure.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Less common, occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Damage to the optic nerve occurs even though IOP is within the normal range.
Congenital Glaucoma: Present at birth, due to abnormal development of the eye’s drainage system.
Secondary Glaucoma: Resulting from another eye condition or injury.
Symptoms
Open-Angle Glaucoma: Often asymptomatic in early stages. Progressive peripheral vision loss is common.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Can present with sudden symptoms like severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Similar to open-angle, often detected through optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Congenital Glaucoma: Symptoms include enlarged eyes, cloudiness of the cornea, and excessive tearing.
Treatment Options
Medications
Prostaglandin Analogs: Increase outflow of aqueous humor (e.g., latanoprost).
Beta Blockers: Reduce aqueous humor production (e.g., timolol).
Alpha Agonists: Decrease production and increase outflow of aqueous humor (e.g., brimonidine).
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Reduce aqueous humor production (e.g., dorzolamide).
Rho Kinase Inhibitors: Increase fluid outflow (e.g., netarsudil).
Laser Therapy
Laser Trabeculoplasty: For open-angle glaucoma; improves drainage through the trabecular meshwork.
Laser Iridotomy: For angle-closure glaucoma; creates a hole in the iris to improve fluid flow.
Cyclophotocoagulation: Reduces aqueous humor production by targeting the ciliary body.
Surgical Procedures
Trabeculectomy: Creates a new drainage pathway for fluid.
Drainage Implants: Devices implanted to help drain fluid.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS): Less invasive options to lower IOP with fewer complications.
Managing glaucoma requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. Regular check-ups, adherence to treatment plans, and lifestyle modifications can effectively control the disease and prevent vision loss.