Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma can be controlled by
1) Topical Medications
2) Oral Medications
3) Laser Treatment
4) Incisional Surgery (trabeculectomy, aqueous shunting devices, cyclo destructive procedures)

The control of intraoccular pressure is mandatory for the treatment of this sight-threatning disease. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is usually reduced either by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid produced by the ciliary body, or by increasing it's outflow through the trebecular meshwork. Treatment is usually begun with topical eye medication. Topical eyedrops are usually well tolerated, but side effects can occur.

1) Topical medications used in long-term management of this disease includes:
1) B-Adrenergic Antagonists (Timolol, Timoptic, Betaxolol (Betoptic, Betagan)
2) Prostaglandin Analogues (Xalatan, Travatan, Luminal, Rezulan)
3) Adrenergic-Agonist Drugs (Epifrin, Epinal, Propine, Iopidine, Alphagan)
4) Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (Trusopt, Azopt)
5) Cholinergic Agonists (oldest glaucoma Drugs) (Isopto Carbichol, Pilocarpine, Humorsol, Phospholine Iodide, Ocusert).

These Topical medications can have serious potential side effects. Therefore, package inserts should always be read and understood.

2) Oral Medications
This is the major group of all oral glaucoma medications and include Diamox, Neptazane, Daranide, and MZM. *

3) Laser Treatment
Laser use for glaucoma may precede Glaucoma Topical Medications or may be used in conjunction with Topical Glaucoma Medications.

Closed (Narrow) Angle Closure Laser Treatment involves making a window in the iris and this prevents blockage of the "angle".

Laser treatment for "Open Angle" Glaucoma involves the "angle area, and specifically involves the "meshwork".

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"Open Angle Glaucoma"
The most recent glaucoma laser treatment is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), (SEE PICTURE ABOVE) and involves cleaning out the "meshwork" and this allows the meshwork to improve the flow of aqueous fluid from the eye. Ohio Eyecare was among the first 20 facilities to received this instrument in the United States.

4) Incisional Surgery

These surgical procedures are usually reserved as a final glaucoma treatment. Incisional surgery has greatly improved over the past ten years. The purpose of "Incisional Surgery" is to create a canal in the "angle" which allows for increased outflow of the "aqueous" from the eye and this lowers the Intraocular pressure (IOP).

* Each treatment is associated with certain can have serious potential side effects. Therefore, package inserts should always be read and understood and glaucoma treatment must be determined by an individual basis.

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