Eye Drops for Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is almost always caused by too much pressure inside one or both eyes. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) can damage the optic nerves, which are the information pathways between the eyes and brain. There are two major glaucoma categories, including open-angle or wide-angle glaucoma (most common) and angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma (more common in Asia). In open-angle glaucoma the drainage system in your eye looks normal but the fluid doesn’t flow out like it should.

In angle-closure glaucoma, the eye does not drain because the drain space between the iris and the cornea becomes too narrow, which can cause a sudden build-up of pressure in the eye.

Why Glaucoma Should Be Treated

If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to peripheral vision loss and cause blindness. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness across the world, next to cataracts. While there is no cure for glaucoma, it can be controlled with proper management.

Glaucoma Treatment

The damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if you catch the disease in its early stages. Glaucoma treatment often involves medication (usually eye drops, but sometimes oral medications as well), laser surgery or microsurgery, with the goal of lowering pressure in your eye.