definition

Previous eye injury or surgery

Long-term use of corticosteroid medications

Family history of glaucoma

Floating Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure Topic

untreated Increased intraocular pressure

Optic nerve damage

Certain medications and medical conditions, such as diabetes

Open-angle glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Blindness: If left untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible blindness in severe cases.

Vision loss: Glaucoma can lead to gradual vision loss, often starting with peripheral vision and eventually affecting central vision.

Reduced quality of life: The impact of glaucoma on daily activities such as driving, reading, and overall independence can significantly reduce the quality of life for affected individuals.

Emotional impact: Coping with the diagnosis and management of glaucoma can lead to emotional stress and anxiety for many patients.

Measuring intraocular pressure, also called tonometry

Testing for optic nerve damage with a dilated eye examination and imaging tests

Checking for areas of vision loss, also known as a visual field test

Measuring corneal thickness with an exam called pachymetry

Inspecting the drainage angle, also known as gonioscopy

Get regular eye exams to check for glaucoma and other eye conditions.

Use protective eyewear in situations where there is a risk of eye injury or trauma.

Adhere to prescribed medication regimens and attend follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider for ongoing management of glaucoma.

Follow your doctor's recommendations for managing any underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which can contribute to glaucoma.

Be mindful of potential symptoms of glaucoma, such as vision changes or eye pain, and seek prompt medical attention if you experience any concerning signs.

Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet to promote overall eye health.

Eye drops:

- Prostaglandin analogs: These eye drops work by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye and are often used as a first-line treatment for glaucoma.

- Beta blockers: These eye drops reduce the production of fluid in the eye, helping to lower intraocular pressure.

- Alpha agonists: These eye drops decrease the production of aqueous humor and increase its outflow, thus reducing intraocular pressure.

- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: These eye drops reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye.

- Rho kinase inhibitors: This newer class of eye drops works by increasing aqueous outflow through a different mechanism than other glaucoma medications.

Laser surgery

- Laser surgery is a common treatment for glaucoma.

Oral medications

Microsurgery (trabeculectomy)

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

Early detection through visual field testing can aid in timely intervention and management of glaucoma to prevent further vision loss.

Relaxation techniques. Stress may trigger an attack of acute angle-closure glaucoma

Introduction of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) techniques

Development of sustained-release drug delivery systems for glaucoma medications

Use of advanced imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) for early detection and monitoring of glaucoma progression

Investigation into the role of neuroprotection in preventing vision loss in glaucoma patients

Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for glaucoma diagnosis and management