Topic Overview
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that damage the
optic nerve. The optic nerve, which carries information from the eye to the
brain, is in the back of the eye. When the nerve is damaged, you can lose your
vision.
Glaucoma is one of the most
common causes of legal blindness in the world. At first, people with glaucoma lose side (peripheral)
vision. But if the disease is not treated, vision loss may get worse. This can
lead to total blindness over time.
There are three types of
glaucoma.
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Open-angle glaucoma is the most common
form in the United States and Canada. The optic nerve is damaged
bit by bit. This can
happen when extra fluid builds up in the eye, such as when the eye makes too
much fluid or does not drain well. The nerve damage slowly leads to loss of eyesight. One eye may be affected more
than the other. Sometimes much of your eyesight may be lost before you notice
it.
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Closed-angle glaucoma is not very common in the U.S. and Canada. In this
type of glaucoma, the colored part of the eye (iris) and the lens block
movement of fluid between the chambers of your eye. This causes pressure to
build up and the iris to press on the drainage system of the eye. The higher pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision problems. A related type is sudden (acute) closed-angle glaucoma. It is
often an emergency. If you get this acute form, you will need medical care
right away to prevent permanent damage to your eye.
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Congenital glaucoma is a rare form of
glaucoma that some infants have at birth. Some children and young adults can
also get a type of the disease.
Finding and treating glaucoma early is important to
prevent blindness. If you are at high risk for the disease, be sure to get
checked by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) even if you have no
symptoms.
Your risk for glaucoma rises after age 40. Race is also a factor. Blacks are more likely than whites
to get the disease. You are also at risk if you have diabetes or if a close
family member has had glaucoma.
What causes glaucoma?
The exact cause of glaucoma is not known. Experts think that increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure) may cause the nerve damage in many cases. But some people who have glaucoma have normal eye pressure.
Some people get glaucoma after an eye injury or after eye surgery. Some medicines (corticosteroids) that are used to treat other diseases
may also cause glaucoma.
What are the symptoms?
If you have open-angle glaucoma, the only symptom you are likely to notice
is loss of vision. You may not notice this until it is serious. That's because,
at first, the eye that is less affected makes up for the loss. Side vision is
often lost before central vision.
Symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma can be mild, with symptoms like blurred
vision that last only for a short time. Severe signs of closed-angle glaucoma
include longer-lasting episodes of blurred vision or pain in or around the eye.
You may also see colored halos around lights, have red eyes, or feel sick to
your stomach and vomit.
In congenital glaucoma, signs
can include watery eyes and sensitivity to light. Your baby may rub his or her
eyes, squint, or keep the eyes closed much of the time.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask
questions about your symptoms and do a physical exam. If your doctor thinks you
have glaucoma, you will then need to see an ophthalmologist for eye exams and tests.
An ophthalmologist or an optometrist can diagnose and treat glaucoma. An
optician cannot diagnose or treat this disease.
See your doctor if you notice blind spots in your vision or if
over time you are having more trouble seeing. It's also a good idea to be
checked for the disease if you have a family history of open-angle glaucoma,
are age 40 or older, have diabetes, or have other risk factors for glaucoma.
How is it treated?
Glaucoma is usually treated
with medicine such as eyedrops. Be sure to follow a daily schedule for your
eyedrops so that they work the way they should. You will likely need to take
medicine for the rest of your life. You may also need laser treatment or
surgery.
In adults, treatment can't bring back vision that has
been lost, but it can help keep your vision from getting worse. Treatment aims to
stop more damage to the optic nerve by lowering the pressure in the eyes.
How do you cope with glaucoma?
Learning that you
have glaucoma can be hard, since much of your vision may be gone by the time it
is detected. With counseling and training, you can find ways to keep your
quality of life. You can use vision aids, such as large-print items and special
video systems, to help you cope with reduced eyesight. You can also create a
support group of people who can help with tough tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learning about glaucoma:
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Being diagnosed:
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Getting treatment:
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Living with glaucoma:
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Cause
Glaucoma is a
group of eye diseases that can cause blindness by damaging the nerve cells located
in the back of the eye (the
optic nerve). In many cases this damage to the optic nerve is thought to be
caused by increased pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) that results from the buildup of fluid inside the eye.
But damage can occur without increased IOP.
Get more
information on
eye anatomy and function.
Open-angle glaucoma
In
open-angle glaucoma (OAG), the cause of damage to the
optic nerve is not well understood. Normally, the shape of the front part of
the eye (anterior chamber) is maintained by a fluid called
aqueous humor, which is produced in and removed from
the eye to maintain a constant pressure. Sometimes the aqueous humor does not
drain out of the eye normally, but the reason this occurs is not known. When
this happens, fluid builds up inside the eye, causing increased IOP. Many people with open-angle glaucoma have higher-than-normal
IOP. The increased pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, resulting
in progressive loss of vision.
But not all people with open-angle
glaucoma have increased pressure inside the eye. Estimates vary, but as many as
half of people with OAG may occur without increased IOP. The first signs of this type of
glaucoma, referred to as normal- or low-tension glaucoma, are physical changes within the eye.
Closed-angle glaucoma
Closed-angle glaucoma
(CAG) occurs when
an already narrow
drainage angle for fluid in the eye becomes blocked.
This may occur when:
- The colored part of the eye (iris) and the lens
block the movement of fluid between the chambers of the eye. The blockage of
fluid causes pressure to build up in the eye and makes the iris press on the
eye's drainage system (trabecular meshwork). The increased pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve,
leading to vision loss and possible blindness.
- You have a defect in your iris or another problem that causes the iris to fall forward and block the drainage angle.
- You have scar tissue between the iris and cornea, and it blocks the eye's drainage system.
Congenital and infantile glaucoma
Glaucoma that
is present at birth (congenital glaucoma) or that develops in the first few years of life (infantile
glaucoma) is often caused by certain birth defects. A birth defect may develop
because of an infection in the mother during pregnancy, such as
rubella, or because of an inherited condition such as
neurofibromatosis.
Secondary glaucoma
Glaucoma may also develop as a
result of another condition. This is called secondary glaucoma.
- Glaucoma may develop after an eye injury, after
eye surgery, or as a complication of a medical
condition such as diabetes.
- Certain medicines (corticosteroids)
used to treat eye inflammation or other diseases may cause
glaucoma.
- Glaucoma may develop as a result of the breakdown and
flaking off of the colored material (pigment) found in the iris. This type of secondary glaucoma is called pigmentary glaucoma.
Another flaky material (of unknown origin) that can deposit in the anterior
part of the eye can cause a similar type of secondary glaucoma called
exfoliation syndrome (pseudoexfoliation).
- A
cataract that causes swelling of the lens can cause
glaucoma (phacomorphic glaucoma). As the cataract develops, the eye's lens
thickens and closes the drainage angle, leading to an increase in intraocular
pressure (IOP). Medicines and possibly surgery may be used to relieve the
pressure. Removal of the cataract is usually needed to treat phacomorphic
glaucoma.
Symptoms
Symptoms of
glaucoma vary according to the type of glaucoma you
have.
If you have
open-angle glaucoma (OAG), the only symptom you are
likely to notice is vision loss. Side (peripheral) vision is usually lost
before central vision.
You may not notice side vision loss until
it becomes severe, because the less affected eye makes up for the loss. The loss
of sharpness of vision (visual acuity) may not become apparent until late in
the disease. By that time, significant vision loss has occurred.
Closed-angle glaucoma
(CAG) may cause no apparent
symptoms or only mild symptoms. You may experience short episodes of symptoms
(subacute closed-angle glaucoma) that usually occur in the evening and are over
by morning. Or you may have severe (acute) symptoms that require immediate
medical attention. Symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma usually affect only one
eye at a time and often include:
Symptoms of glaucoma present at birth (congenital glaucoma) and glaucoma that develops in the
first few years of life (infantile glaucoma) may include:
- Watery eyes. The baby may also appear to be
sensitive to light.
- An eye or eyes that look cloudy, indicating
that the clear front surface of the eye (cornea) has been
damaged.
- Eyes that look larger than normal because the eyeballs
have become enlarged as a result of high pressure. This symptom does not occur
in adults.
- Rubbing the eyes, squinting, or keeping the eyes closed
much of the time.
What Happens
Glaucoma
usually affects side (peripheral) vision first. If glaucoma is not treated,
vision loss will continue, resulting in total blindness over time. If glaucoma
is identified early and treated appropriately, good eyesight can usually be
maintained.
Open-angle glaucoma, the most common
type of glaucoma in the United States and Canada, usually affects both eyes at the same
time. But one eye may be affected more than the other. In open-angle glaucoma,
vision changes so slowly that much of your eyesight may be affected before you
notice the condition.
- Increased pressure and other factors gradually
damage the optic nerve.
- Side (peripheral) vision is affected first.
Blind spots from each side of the field of vision gradually meet, increasing
the area of blindness. Central vision, used for reading and seeing details, is
affected last.
- If untreated, open-angle glaucoma affects central
vision, leading to permanent total blindness.
Closed-angle glaucoma is less common
and usually affects only one eye at a time.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma
develops suddenly and is an emergency medical situation.
- The blockage of fluid drainage from the eye
causes a sudden rise of pressure in the eye.
- If not treated
promptly, the pressure in the eye leads to rapid, permanent damage to the
optic nerve.
- Severe and permanent vision loss can develop within
hours or days after symptoms develop.
You may have short episodes of closed-angle glaucoma.
Without treatment, these recurrent episodes can develop into an emergency
situation (acute closed-angle glaucoma) or become a long-term problem (chronic
closed-angle glaucoma). If chronic closed-angle glaucoma is not treated, you
will gradually lose your sight and you may become completely blind.
Glaucoma that is present at birth (congenital glaucoma) or that develops within the first few years of life (infantile
glaucoma) is rare. But it can be very serious. If congenital glaucoma is left
untreated, permanent blindness can develop rapidly.
Treatment for
any type of glaucoma may delay or prevent further vision loss, but it cannot
reverse vision loss that has already occurred. In a few rare cases of
congenital glaucoma, some reversal of the damage to the optic nerve has been
seen.
If you have glaucoma, normal use of your eyes (such as for
reading or watching television) will not speed up vision loss or make the
condition worse.
How much your life will be affected
depends on your lifestyle and on how bad your vision loss is. For information on
how to live with low vision, see Home Treatment.
What Increases Your Risk
Things that increase your
risk (risk factors) for
glaucoma vary according to the different types of
glaucoma.
Risk factors for
open-angle glaucoma (OAG) include:
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High pressure in the eyes. Open-angle glaucoma is
often associated with higher-than-normal pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP). But not all people with
open-angle glaucoma have increased pressure inside the eye. High pressure in the eyes is the one treatable risk factor for open-angle
glaucoma. But raised pressure in the eyes alone is not enough to diagnose
glaucoma and does not always require treatment. If you have elevated pressure
in your eyes but you do not have glaucoma, you will still need to be followed
carefully by your doctor.
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Age. The risk for glaucoma increases rapidly after
age 40.
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Race. Blacks are
more likely than whites to have glaucoma.
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Family history of glaucoma. Relatives of people
who have open-angle glaucoma that is not caused by another condition (called
primary open-angle glaucoma) are at risk for
glaucoma.
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Prior loss of vision in one eye from glaucoma. Damage in one eye from glaucoma is associated with a higher risk
of future damage in the other eye.
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Diabetes. People who have diabetes tend to have higher
pressure in their eyes than those who do not have the disease. People who have diabetes are
also at risk for a type of secondary glaucoma where new blood vessels grow into
and block the drainage angle of the eye.
Risk factors for
closed-angle glaucoma (CAG) include:
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Race. People from East Asia or with East Asian
ancestry, as well as Inuit peoples, are more
likely than other people to develop closed-angle glaucoma.1
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Age. People over age 40 are at increased risk for
closed-angle glaucoma.
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Sex. Older women are more likely than older men to
develop closed-angle glaucoma.
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Birth defects. People who are born with narrow
drainage angles in their eyes may develop closed-angle
glaucoma if their pupils stay wide open (dilated). How much the pupil is
dilated and how long it stays dilated, causing an attack of closed-angle
glaucoma, varies from person to person.
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Farsightedness. People who are farsighted are more
likely to develop this condition, because their eyes are smaller and the
drainage angles of the eyes tend to be narrower, which allows them to become
blocked more easily.
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Family history. People who have a family history of
closed-angle glaucoma are more likely to develop the condition.
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Having closed-angle glaucoma in one eye. Having
closed-angle glaucoma in one eye increases the risk of getting the condition
in the other eye. About half of the people who have had acute closed-angle
glaucoma in one eye develop closed-angle glaucoma in the second eye within 5
years.1
Risk factors for
congenital glaucoma include:
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Infection in the mother during pregnancy. Babies
born to mothers who have certain viral infections such as
rubella during pregnancy are at a higher risk for
congenital glaucoma.
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Family history. A small number of infants with
congenital glaucoma inherit the condition.
When To Call a Doctor
Call
911
or other emergency services immediately if you have these symptoms of sudden (acute)
closed-angle glaucoma:
- Sudden, severe blurring of vision in one
eye
- Severe pain in the affected eye
- Redness of the
affected eye
- Nausea and vomiting
- Colored halos
surrounding light sources
Call your doctor if you:
- Notice blind spots in your
vision.
- Notice that over time you are having more difficulty
seeing.
- Have a family history of glaucoma, are age 40 or
older, and have not had an eye exam in more than a year. You may need to be
examined by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist or
optometrist) for signs of glaucoma.
- Have
glaucoma and have symptoms or side effects from the glaucoma medicines
that you are taking.
Watchful waiting
If your doctor detects that you have a
slight increase in the pressure in your eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP) and you have no other risk factors for glaucoma, your
doctor may not treat it right away. But you will need to have the pressure in
your eyes checked regularly. And you will need regular eye exams to make sure
you are not developing glaucoma.
Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you have
symptoms of sudden (acute) closed-angle glaucoma.
Who to see
The following doctors can diagnose
glaucoma:
Decisions about treatment for glaucoma need to be made
with the help of an ophthalmologist.
An
optician cannot diagnose or treat glaucoma.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Exams and Tests
Early detection and treatment of
glaucoma are important for
controlling the condition and preventing blindness. Emergency treatment may be
needed for sudden (acute)
closed-angle glaucoma (CAG).
A doctor evaluating
possible
glaucoma will take a
medical history and do a
physical exam. If glaucoma is suspected, you
will usually be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for further testing and treatment.
The eye specialist will check your eyes to help find out if you have the disease and how severe it is. He or she will look for certain signs of damage in the eye. The following tests may be used to detect or to monitor glaucoma:
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Ophthalmoscopy
. Ophthalmoscopy is used
to examine the inside structures of the eye. In glaucoma, it is used to examine
the area where the optic nerve leaves the eye (optic disc).
Damage to the optic nerve related to glaucoma can be diagnosed by
ophthalmoscopy.
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Gonioscopy
. Gonioscopy uses a special
lens to examine the drainage angles of the eyes. This is a very common test in
the initial evaluation of suspected glaucoma.
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Tonometry
. Tonometry measures the
pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP). People
with glaucoma sometimes have above-normal IOP.
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Slit lamp exam
. The slit lamp exam is
used to get a magnified view of all parts of the eye.
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Optic nerve imaging. Optic coherence tomography (OCT), 3D (stereo) photography, and other tests show how your optic nerve looks and can help your doctor detect signs of damage.
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Vision tests
. Visual acuity testing
measures how clearly you are able to see details. Visual field testing (also
called
perimetry testing ) can detect loss of side
(peripheral) vision and central
vision that may indicate damage to the optic
nerve caused by glaucoma. This is the best test for evaluating damage caused by
open-angle glaucoma. Perimetry testing is expensive and time-consuming, so it is not used as a regular screening test or done as often as other
tests for glaucoma.
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Cornea thickness. Tests such as ultrasound
pachymetry measure the thickness of the clear front surface of the eye (cornea). Cornea thickness, along with intraocular
pressure, helps determine your risk for glaucoma.
After glaucoma is diagnosed, eye exams (including
tonometry and ophthalmoscopy) are done on a regular basis to monitor the
disease.
If you have glaucoma and have already
experienced a significant loss of vision, your doctor may also do a
low-vision evaluation to help find ways you can make
the most of your remaining vision and maintain your quality of life.
Early detection
Because people with glaucoma may have normal
pressures in their eyes, measuring eye pressure (tonometry) should not be used
as the only screening test for glaucoma. It should be combined with other tests
before glaucoma can be diagnosed.
If you are younger than 40 and have no known risk factors for glaucoma, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that you have a complete eye exam every 5 to 10 years. This includes tests that check for
glaucoma.2 The AAO suggests more frequent routine eye exams as you age.
The AAO also suggests that people who are at risk for glaucoma have complete eye exams according to the schedule below:
- Ages 40 to 54, every 1 to 3 years
- Ages 55 to 64, every 1 to 2 years
- Ages 65 and older, every 6 to 12 months
People at increased risk for glaucoma include those who:3
- Are middle-aged and older. The chance of getting glaucoma gets higher as you age, especially after age 40.
- Have a
family history of glaucoma.
- Have high eye pressure (high IOP).
- Are African Americans (for open-angle glaucoma),
East Asians, and people with East Asian ancestry (for CAG).
- Are
farsighted (greater risk of developing CAG).
- Have had an eye injury or eye surgery, such as
cataract surgery.
- Have
diabetes.
- Have high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Have been taking
corticosteroid medicines.
After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force
(USPSTF) has not recommended for or against routine glaucoma
screening for all adults.4
Treatment Overview
Treatment for
glaucoma focuses on preserving eyesight by slowing the
damage to the nerve located in the back of the eye (optic nerve). In adults,
treatment cannot restore eyesight that has already been lost as a result of
glaucoma. But in certain children, some of the damage caused by
congenital glaucoma can be reversed.
Most treatment for glaucoma is directed at lowering the
pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP). Optic nerve damage can
occur at any level of eye pressure, even within the normal range. Lowering the
IOP often can help protect the optic nerve from further damage.
Treatment options include medicines, laser treatments, and surgery. In
the United States and Canada, treatment usually begins with medicines. When treatment with
medicines does not successfully lower pressure in the eyes, laser or surgery
treatments need to be considered. But in some instances it may be appropriate
to use laser or surgical treatments first, particularly in moderate to severe
cases. Studies indicate that treatment with medicine or surgery are both
effective, but the risks and benefits may differ depending on the type of
glaucoma, age, race, and other factors.5 If you have
glaucoma, ask your doctor about all the possible treatment options and which
treatments may be better for your particular condition.
Initial treatment
If you are diagnosed with
glaucoma, your eye doctor will figure out the eye pressure that can help protect your optic nerve from further damage. This is called your
target eye pressure. The
target is based on the amount of damage to the optic nerve and your current IOP. The target is about 20% to 30% less than
the highest IOP you've had.
Your eye doctor will want to check your eyes and your IOP on a regular basis. If your doctor sees nerve damage even though your eyes have reached the target pressure, he or she will set a lower target. And you may need treatment to lower your IOP and help prevent vision loss.
Treatment for
open-angle glaucoma may involve medicines (eyedrops)
that lower the pressure inside the eye, laser treatment, or other surgery. In
the United States and Canada, eyedrops that lower the IOP are usually tried first.
Decreasing eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma slows the progression of the
disease and helps prevent further vision loss. But other treatments (laser or
surgery) may sometimes be considered as an initial form of treatment if you
have moderate or severe open-angle glaucoma.
Initial treatment for closed-angle glaucoma (CAG) is usually a procedure called laser peripheral iridotomy. You may also need medicine to help you stay at your target eye pressure.
Closed-angle glaucoma can be an emergency situation
(acute closed-angle glaucoma), because blockage of fluid in the eye causes a
sudden increase in pressure, resulting in rapid damage to the optic nerve.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma usually causes significant pain in the eye. Treatment for acute
closed-angle glaucoma includes medicines to lower IOP,
monitoring of the
drainage angle, and surgery. If it is not
treated immediately, blindness can develop rapidly.
Congenital glaucoma
almost always requires surgery to
lower IOP. Medicine may sometimes be used, but it usually does not
work as well.
If you already have significant
vision loss from glaucoma, your doctor will also do a
low-vision evaluation. The evaluation will help you
and your doctor find ways to make the best use of your remaining vision. It
also can include suggestions for counseling and training on dealing with
reduced vision.
Because glaucoma can lead to a significant loss of
vision before it is detected, learning that you have glaucoma can be difficult.
You may feel sad and become
depressed. Your doctor can refer you to counselors who
specialize in helping people adjust to living with low vision.
Ongoing treatment
After you start treatment for
glaucoma, you will need regular eye exams by an
ophthalmologist. During these exams, your doctor will likely check your IOP. After the target
pressure is reached, your doctor will still want to see you at least once a year to check your eyes and vision. If there are signs that the disease is getting worse, your doctor may lower your target eye pressure and adjust your treatment.
If the pressure in the eye
continues to be high or if damage to the optic nerve gets worse despite
treatment with eyedrops, laser treatment may be done.
If you are diagnosed with
closed-angle glaucoma, you will need regular evaluations to check your drainage
angles and eye pressure. You may need laser treatment to prevent sudden closure
of the angle.
Medicines, usually eyedrops, are used to lower IOP
by either decreasing the amount of fluid produced by the eye or increasing the
amount of fluid that drains out of the eye. It is important to understand that
treatment for glaucoma needs to continue for the rest of your life. Unlike some chronic diseases in which failure to take medicines causes
noticeable symptoms, not using your glaucoma medicines as prescribed will not
usually cause any obvious symptoms. But it causes slow, often unnoticed loss
of eyesight that is permanent and that could eventually lead to
blindness.
Home treatment can help you live with the effects of glaucoma.
You can use
vision aids and adaptive technologies, such as video
enlargement systems and large-print items, to help you function better with
reduced vision. You can build a support network of people who can help you with
difficult tasks. And you can get counseling and training to help you cope with
reduced vision and maintain your quality of life.
Treatment if the condition gets worse
Surgery for
glaucoma usually is needed only if you continue to
lose vision and the pressure in your eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP) cannot be lowered with medicines or laser treatment.
In some countries other than the United States, such as Great Britain, surgery is done early in the disease
process.
Surgery may be done to make another opening for fluid to
leave the eye. Sometimes, surgery to destroy part of the eye that produces the
fluid (ciliary body) may also be used to decrease fluid production. This type
of surgery is usually done only for advanced cases of glaucoma in which other
forms of treatment have not worked.
What to think about
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but
the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) can be controlled
with medicines, surgery, or both. In adults, treatment for glaucoma cannot
restore eyesight that has been lost because of the condition, but it can
prevent further damage to the optic nerve and save remaining eyesight. In
certain children with congenital glaucoma, some of the optic nerve damage
caused by the disease can be reversed with treatment.
Because glaucoma can't be cured and treatment does not
always prevent further loss of vision, people may try alternative
unproven treatment methods, such as acupuncture or
marijuana. But most of these alternative treatments either have not been
studied or have not been proved to work. Such treatments may be expensive, and
some can be hazardous to your health.
Prevention
Most of the risk factors (such as age,
race, and family history) for
glaucoma are beyond your control. No matter if you are at increased
risk for glaucoma or not, it's best to get routine eye exams and tests as your eye doctor suggests. Finding and treating glaucoma early is important to help prevent blindness.
If you have high pressure in your eyes but you don't have glaucoma, your eye doctor may suggest treatment that helps lower your eye pressure. This may help delay or prevent the onset of glaucoma.
Home Treatment
The success of treatment for
glaucoma depends on your learning about the disease,
using your medicines as prescribed, and getting routine checkups to monitor the
condition and prevent complications. By doing so, you can decrease your chance
of losing your eyesight.
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Use your glaucoma medicines as prescribed by your doctor. If you need reminders for using your medicines, use
alarm clocks or watches, notes on mirrors or tables, and other cues. If you
have problems using your medicine according to the prescribed schedule, talk
with your doctor. Some
tips to decrease the side effects of glaucoma medicines, such as the proper way to insert eyedrops, may help you use
your medicines as prescribed. If you notice side effects from your glaucoma
medicine, notify your doctor. Your medicine may need to be
changed.
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If you have closed-angle glaucoma or you are at risk for it, check with a doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicines. Your doctor may warn you about
medicines that widen (dilate) the pupil. When the pupil dilates, the drainage
angles can become blocked, causing closed-angle glaucoma. There are some
medicines that you need to avoid, such as certain
antihistamines and motion sickness medicines. Also, tell your eye specialist
what other prescription medicines you are taking. Make sure all your doctors know that you have glaucoma.
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Carry a wallet card or other identification that states that you have glaucoma. The card needs to list all medicines you are
taking, including glaucoma medicines.
Living with reduced vision
Reduced vision from
glaucoma can affect a person's life in many ways. How much you are
affected depends on how bad your vision loss is, what kinds of activities
you do, and your lifestyle. Work with your doctor to find ways to make the best
use of your remaining vision. You can use
vision aids such as video enlargement systems and
large-print items, build a support network, and get counseling and
training to help you cope with reduced vision and maintain your quality of
life.
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Vision Problems: Living With Poor Eyesight
Because glaucoma often leads to a significant loss of
vision, learning that you have glaucoma can be difficult. You may feel anger or
fear, or you may feel sad and become
depressed. These feelings are perfectly normal. If you
need help in dealing with them, talk to your doctor and to your family and
friends. Your doctor can also refer you to counselors who specialize in helping
people adjust to living with low vision. Because glaucoma is a lifelong
disease, it may be helpful for you to join a support group for people who have
the disease.
Medications
Medicines to lower the pressure inside
the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) are used
to treat all types of
glaucoma. They work either by reducing the amount of
fluid (aqueous humor) that is produced by the eye or by
increasing the amount of fluid that drains out of the eye. These medicines may
be given as eyedrops; as pills; in liquid form by mouth; or, in emergency
situations, through a vein. In most cases, eyedrops are used first.
In
congenital glaucoma, medicines usually do not work over a long period of time
and are usually used only until surgery can be done. The medicines may be used to decrease
the pressure in the eyes and reduce the cloudiness of the clear front surface
(cornea) of the child's eye.
Medication choices
Medicines used to treat glaucoma lower the pressure in
the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP) by either decreasing the amount of
fluid produced by the eyes or increasing the amount of fluid that drains out of
the eyes.
Medicines that decrease the amount of fluid produced by
the eye include:
Medicines that increase the amount of fluid that drains
out of the eye include:
Some medicines have two different medicines mixed into
one bottle. Examples include Cosopt, which contains both a carbonic anhydrase
inhibitor and a beta-blocker, and Combigan, which contains both an adrenergic
agonist and a beta-blocker.
What to think about
When medicines are used to treat
glaucoma, the goal is to prevent further damage to the optic nerve by lowering
the pressure in the eyes. The level of pressure in the eye needed to damage the
optic nerve varies from one person to another. For this reason, a single
target eye pressure cannot be used for everyone. Your
target pressure may need to be adjusted if the optic nerve shows further damage
despite treatment.
When glaucoma has already caused vision loss,
further vision loss may develop even after the pressure in the eye is lowered
to the normal range with medicine.
In most cases, medicines used
to treat glaucoma must be continued daily for the rest of your life. Putting
eyedrops in the eye at specific times of the day may be inconvenient. Eyedrops
may also cause discomfort. You need to follow the prescribed daily schedule for
your eyedrops in order for them to work properly.
- Discuss with your doctor the goals of treatment, how long the
medicine will be tried, and the possible side effects. Eye medicines can cause symptoms throughout the body. Report side
effects to your eye doctor.
- Knowing how to correctly insert your
eyedrops can make the medicine work better and may help you avoid side effects.
A medicine card stating which medicines need to be taken at different times of
the day can help remind you to take medicines. Use multicolored
bottle caps to help you tell different medicines apart.
- Shortly after starting a
new medicine, you will
need follow-up visits with your doctor to find out whether it is working as well as it should be and
to discuss any side effects or medicine schedule problems.
Medicines for glaucoma can be expensive. Some
cost-saving tips, such as using a measured-dose
dispenser, may help.
Let all your doctors know that
you are taking glaucoma medicines. Other medicines that you are taking may need
to be adjusted or stopped to prevent side effects.
There are
fewer complications from the new surgical procedures for glaucoma, but medicine
treatment still usually has fewer side effects than surgery. Many people who
use glaucoma medicines may never need surgery for glaucoma.
Surgery
Surgery is not always needed to treat
glaucoma. Medicines can often control the pressure in
the eyes, preventing further vision loss and blindness. Medicine will usually
be tried first before surgery is considered.
Doctors can use
either a surgical cutting tool or a very focused beam of light, called a laser,
to do surgery for glaucoma.
Laser surgery is usually tried first when glaucoma
medicines do not lower the pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP). If laser surgery does not help, your doctor may try
conventional surgery.
Surgery may be needed for:
- Sudden (acute)
closed-angle glaucoma. Laser treatment is needed right away for this problem. People who have had closed-angle glaucoma in one eye usually need to
have laser treatment on the other eye to prevent the same condition from
developing. Also, people who
have narrow drainage angles may need laser treatment to prevent acute closed-angle glaucoma. If laser
treatment does not work, then conventional surgery, such as surgical iridectomy or trabeculectomy, will be needed.
- Long-term (chronic) closed-angle glaucoma. Laser treatment can create an
opening in the colored part of the eye (iris) to let fluid drain from
the eye.
-
Open-angle glaucoma
, if the pressure in
the eyes stays high or if damage to the optic nerve continues despite
medicine. Laser treatment may be needed early on to treat open-angle
glaucoma, especially in people who have very high intraocular pressure and
severe glaucoma. You may have laser surgery before you try medicine. In some
cases, early surgery in open-angle glaucoma may be more effective than eyedrops
at reducing the pressure in the eyes and preventing
blindness.
- Infants with
congenital glaucoma. They may need surgery as soon as
possible to prevent blindness.
The primary goal of surgery for glaucoma is to preserve
eyesight by:
- Maintaining the health of the optic
nerve.
- Reducing the pressure in the eyes by opening blocked
drainage angles or creating a new opening that fluid (aqueous humor) can
flow through to leave the eye.
In some cases surgery may be done to relieve pain caused by
glaucoma.
Surgery choices
There are three basic types of surgery for glaucoma in
adults.
Surgery to increase drainage of fluid from the eye
This type of surgery involves making a trapdoor that allows fluid to
drain from the eye. The surgeon can use either a laser or a surgical cutting
tool to do this. In severe glaucoma, surgery also may involve putting in a
filtering device (seton), usually made of plastic, that drains fluid away from
the front part of the eye to a place where it can drain out of the eye.
-
Trabeculectomy
involves an incision to remove a piece of tissue to allow fluid to drain from the
eye.
-
Tube-shunt surgery (seton glaucoma surgery) involves an incision to place a
tube in the eye to allow fluid to drain.
-
Laser trabeculoplasty burns tissue to create an
opening that allows fluid to drain from the eye.
- Laser sclerostomy removes a piece of the white part of the eye to allow fluid
to drain. This type of surgery is rarely done.
Surgery to prevent closure of the drainage angle
Both laser and conventional surgeries can be used to prevent closure of
the drainage angle. These procedures involve making a new opening in the
colored part of the eye (iris) that allows fluid to flow through the eye. They
are used to treat sudden (acute) closed-angle glaucoma and will prevent
closed-angle glaucoma in people who have narrow drainage angles. Laser
iridotomy can usually be done instead of surgical iridectomy. But some people
with complicated or severe glaucoma may need to have surgical iridotomy.
- Surgical iridectomy uses a surgical cutting tool to make an opening in the iris to
allow fluid to drain.
-
Laser iridotomy
uses a laser to create an opening in the iris for fluid to drain.
Surgery to decrease the amount of fluid produced in the eye
When other surgery fails to improve the flow of fluid from
the eye, procedures to destroy the part of the eye that produces fluid (ciliary
body) can be done. These procedures are also used when scar tissue has formed
after a previous surgery. One example is laser cyclophotocoagulation, which uses a laser to destroy the ciliary body.
Destroying the ciliary body decreases
the amount of fluid produced in the eye, reducing the pressure in the eye.
Procedures that decrease fluid in the eye are only used for people who have severe
glaucoma that has not gotten better after they have tried medicines or other
forms of surgery.
Surgery for congenital glaucoma
For congenital
glaucoma, there are two slightly different procedures that both attempt to open
the drainage angle directly. They are equally successful in children, but they
are not used for adults. If these procedures fail in a child, then
trabeculectomy or tube-shunt (seton glaucoma) surgery may be tried.
What to think about
Clouding of the lens (cataract) can develop after surgery for glaucoma. This
is one reason that surgery is not usually used first to treat open-angle
glaucoma.
Cataracts may occur in people who also have glaucoma. This commonly occurs in older people. Surgery to remove the cataract may be
done at the same time as surgery for glaucoma. If
surgery for glaucoma and a cataract are done at the
same time, you may notice improved eyesight after surgery.
The
decision whether or not to have surgery is often more difficult in glaucoma
than in many other conditions because:
- In many instances, the person is not in pain
and often does not notice any vision loss.
- Surgery often causes a
person's eyesight to get worse immediately after surgery. Vision may be
affected for weeks or months after surgery. For some people, their eyesight is
never as good as it was before the surgery. Surgery is not a complete cure for
glaucoma. But surgery can decrease the chance of losing even more eyesight
later on. And for some people, it can reduce or get rid of the need for eyedrops.
- Not everyone who has laser surgery will have lower
IOP after the surgery. For most people, the lower pressure
will last only a few years. Others may have an increase in their eye pressure.
Certain types of open-angle glaucoma respond better to laser surgery than
others.
- The effects of some laser treatments are not long-lasting.
Repeat laser treatments, medicines, or other surgeries may be needed later
on.
As with any other surgery, you and your doctor should
make the decision to operate based on the risks and benefits of having the
surgery. One thing to consider is
which eye should be operated on first. There may be other
questions about glaucoma surgery that you should
discuss with your doctor before making a decision.
It is not
unusual for some people to have both open- and closed-angle glaucoma, so they may need more than one kind of procedure.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
|
American Health Assistance Foundation
|
| 22512 Gateway Center Drive |
| Clarksburg, MD 20871 |
| Phone: |
1-800-437-2423 |
| Fax: |
(301) 258-9454 |
| Email: |
info@ahaf.org |
| Web Address: |
www.ahaf.org |
| |
|
This nonprofit group works to find cures, preventions, and improved treatments for age-related degenerative diseases. The website has information about Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
|
|
|
American Optometric Association
(AOA)
|
| 243 North Lindbergh Boulevard |
| St. Louis, MO 63141 |
| Phone: |
1-800-365-2219 |
| Web Address: |
www.aoa.org |
| |
|
The American Optometric Association (AOA), which is a
national organization of optometrists, can provide information on eye health
and eye problems.
|
|
|
EyeCare America
|
| P.O. Box 429098 |
| San Francisco, CA 94142-9098 |
| Phone: |
1-877-887-6327 toll-free |
| Fax: |
(415) 561-8567 |
| Web Address: |
www.eyecareamerica.org |
| |
|
EyeCare America is a public service program of the
Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This site aims to raise awareness about
eye diseases and eye care. It has information about eye conditions, treatments, and general eye health. You can check to see if you qualify for a free eye exam.
|
|
|
Glaucoma Foundation
|
| 80 Maiden Lane |
| Suite 700 |
| New York, NY 10038 |
| Phone: |
(212) 285-0080 |
| Email: |
info@glaucomafoundation.org |
| Web Address: |
www.glaucomafoundation.org |
| |
|
This nonprofit group supports glaucoma research and provides information about this disease and the importance of early detection to help prevent blindness. The website includes online chat groups for youth and adults.
|
|
|
Glaucoma Research Foundation
|
| 251 Post Street |
| Suite 600 |
| San Francisco, CA 94108 |
| Phone: |
1-800-826-6693 |
| Fax: |
(415) 986-3763 |
| Email: |
question@glaucoma.org |
| Web Address: |
www.glaucoma.org |
| |
|
This nonprofit organization aims to help people prevent vision loss from glaucoma. The website has information about glaucoma and how to live with and treat it. There is also information about how to get help paying for glaucoma medicines.
|
|
|
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of
Health
|
| Information Office |
| 31 Center Drive MSC 2510 |
| Bethesda, MD 20892-2510 |
| Phone: |
(301) 496-5248 |
| Email: |
2020@nei.nih.gov |
| Web Address: |
www.nei.nih.gov |
| |
|
As part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the National Eye
Institute provides information on eye diseases and vision research.
Publications are available to the public at no charge. The Web site includes
links to various information resources.
|
|
References
Citations
-
American Academy of Ophthalmology (2010). Primary Angle Closure (Preferred Practice Pattern). San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology. Also available online: http://aao.org/ppp.
-
American Academy of Ophthalmology (2010). Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation, Preferred Practice Pattern. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available online: http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/PPP.aspx.
-
American Academy of Ophthalmology (2010). Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Suspect (Preferred Practice Pattern). San Francisco. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Also available online: http://aao.org/ppp.
-
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2005). Screening
for glaucoma: Recommendation statement. Annals of Family Medicine, 3(2): 171–172. Available online: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsglau.htm.
-
Shah R, Wormald RPL (2011). Glaucoma, search date May 2010. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Other Works Consulted
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (2007).
Vision Rehabilitation for Adults (Preferred Practice Pattern). San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology. Also
available online:
http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/PPP.aspx.
- Salmon JF (2011). Glaucoma. In P Riordan-Eva, ET Cunningham, eds., Vaughan and Asbury’s General Ophthalmology, 18th ed., pp. 222–237. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- See JLS, Chew PTK (2009). Angle-closure glaucoma. In M Yanoff, JS Duker, eds., Ophthalmology, 3rd ed., pp. 1162–1171. Edinburgh: Mosby Elsevier.
- Tan JC, Kaufman PL (2009). Primary open-angle glaucoma. In M Yanoff, JS Duker, eds., Ophthalmology, 3rd ed., pp. 1154–1158. Edinburgh: Mosby Elsevier.
- Trobe JD (2006). The red eye. Physician's Guide to Eye Care, 3rd ed., chap. 4, pp. 47–51.
San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology.
- Vass C, et al. (2007). Medical interventions for primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4).
- Walker RS, Piltz-Seymour JR (2009). When to treat glaucoma. In M Yanoff, JS Duker, eds., Ophthalmology, 3rd ed., pp. 1211–1215. Edinburgh: Mosby Elsevier.
- Yanoff M, Cameron D (2012). Diseases of the visual system. In L Goldman, A Shafer, eds., Goldman’s Cecil Medicine, 24th ed., pp. 2426–2442. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, MPH, FRCSC - Ophthalmology |
|
Last Revised
|
February 28, 2012 |
