Refractive Errors Eye Surgeons - Dr. Murray McFadden and Dr. Carolyn Anderson

What is Your Part in Glaucoma Treatment?

Treatment for glaucoma requires teamwork between you and your doctor.

Your ophthalmologist can prescribe treatment for glaucoma, but only you can make sure you take your eye drops or pills.

Never stop taking or change your medications without first consulting your ophthalmologist.

Frequent eye examinations and tests are critical to monitor your eyes for any changes.

Remember, it is your vision, and you must do your part to maintain it.


This page last updated
February 16, 2003
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How is Glaucoma Treated?

The damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Eye drops are usually the first course of treatment. Other options include pills and surgical or laser operations are used to prevent or slow further damage from occurring.

With any type of glaucoma, periodic examinations are very important to prevent vision loss. Because glaucoma can worsen without your being aware of it, your treatment may need to be changed over time. 

Glaucoma Medications

Glaucoma is usually controlled with eye drops taken several times a day, sometimes in combination with pills. These medications decrease eye pressure, either by slowing the production of aqueous fluids within the eye or by improving the flow through the drainage angle.

For these medications to work, you must take them regularly and continuously. It is also important to tell all of your doctors about the eye medications you are using.

Glaucoma medications can have side effects. You should notify your ophthalmologist immediately if you think you may be experiencing side effects.

Some eye drops used to treat Glaucoma may cause:

  A stinging sensation;
  Red eyes;
  Changes in energy level;
  Changes in pulse and heartbeat;

Changes in breathing (especially
      with asthma or emphysema);
 Headaches;
 Blurred vision.

Pills prescribed for treatment of Glaucoma sometimes cause:

  Tingling of fingers and toes;
  Loss of appetite;
  Bowel irregularities;

  Kidney stones;
  Anemia or easy bleeding.

Treating Glaucoma with Laser Surgery

laser surgery for glaucoma - trabeculoplasty, iridotomyLaser surgery treatments may be effective for different types of glaucoma. The laser is usually used in one of two ways.

In open-angle glaucoma, the drain itself is treated. The laser is used to modify the drain (trabeculosplasty) to help control eye pressure.

In angle-closure glaucoma, the laser creates a hole in the iris (lridotomy) to improve the flow of aqueous fluid to the drain.

 
Treating Glaucoma with Operative Surgery

When operative surgery is needed to control glaucoma, your ophthalmologist uses miniature instruments to create a new drainage channel for the aqueous fluid to leave the eye. The new channel helps to lower the pressure.

Though serious complications of modern glaucoma surgery are rare, they can occur, as with any surgery. Surgery is recommended if your ophthalmologist feels that it is safer to operate than to allow optic nerve damage to continue.

Materials produced here are not intended to provide medical information. Rather, the materials are presented for informational purposes only.
None of the materials presented may be relied upon by any person for any medical, diagnostic or treatment reasons whatsoever. None of the materials presented here may be relied upon by any person for purpose other than informational purposes without the express written consent of Dr. Murray McFadden or the person indicated as the owner of the relevant materials. Dr. Murray McFadden disclaims any liability for any injury or other damages resulting from the review or use of the information obtained here. Dr. Murray McFadden asks that any person reviewing the materials presented here obtain specific medical advice and answers to specific medical questions, by a qualified eye doctor.