How to Treat Glaucoma

There are different treatment options available, which have been designed to slow down or stop the damage to the eye caused by glaucoma.

Although vision that has already been lost due to glaucoma can not be regained, such treatments can slow the loss of vision.

The ophthalmologist will suggest the use of eye drops, a laser procedure, or a surgical procedure to treat glaucoma. All these treatments have a common goal: to reduce the intraocular pressure and avoid additional damage to the optic nerve.

- Rectal eye drops lower intraocular pressure by lowering the amount of fluid produced by the eye or helping the fluid to leave the eye more easily.

- Laser procedures can reduce eye pressure by relieving blockage in the eye drainage mechanism. In some cases, the laser is also used to create new drainage channels inside the eye, when there is an obstruction to normal fluid flow. Surgical procedures reduce eye pressure by creating an opening in the wall of the eye, whereby fluid can flow out easily.

- Another surgical possibility is to implant a tube called "bypass" , to channel the fluid outlet. Your treatment plan will depend on the type of glaucoma you have, how far you have progressed, and your overall health.

It is the specialist in Ophthalmology who will determine the best way to treat you.

The most common type of laser surgery for open-angle glaucoma is called argon laser trabeculoplasty or TLA. During LAD, the physician directs a high-frequency laser beam into the trabecular system, which is the major drainage region of the eye. In most cases it is treated with specific laser applications, usually between 40 and 80 applications. TLA allows the aqueous fluid to drain more easily, thereby reducing eye pressure. It is generally painless or causes only slight discomfort.

After the procedure the patient is usually treated for a couple of days with anti-inflammatory ophthalmic drops. Most patients should go for a reevaluation visit in a few weeks.

The most recent laser surgery option for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma is called selective laser trabeculoplasty or TLS. In this intervention the laser selectively treats certain cells, leaving other parts of the trabecular system intact. The follow-up and the effects of the intervention are exactly the same as with the TLA.

Glaucoma can also be treated through a special process called trabeculectomy. During this intervention, an alternative channel is created through which fluid can escape from the inside of the eye when the usual pathways are blocked. The fluid is collected outside the eye in a small pocket, where it is subsequently reabsorbed by the body. This lowers fluid pressure inside the eye, which helps prevent further damage to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma. During the weeks after the procedure, eye drops should be used to prevent inflammation and infection. Frequent follow-up visits will be necessary so that the Ophthalmologist can monitor their progress and determine the need for any additional treatment.