Treatment For Glaucoma

Treatment For Glaucoma

Glaucoma is usually controlled with eye drops given two to four times a day and pills given in various combinations. These medications act to decrease eye pressure either by assisting the flow of fluid out of the eye or by decreasing the amount of fluid entering the eye. To be effective, these medications must be taken regularly and continuously.

Patients with any type of glaucoma need periodic examinations as glaucoma can get worse without the patient being aware of it and, as a result, treatment may need to be changed after a while. As a rule, the damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Eye drops, pills and surgery are used to prevent further damage from occurring, and to preserve existing vision.

However, treatment may occasionally result in unwanted side-effects. Some eye drops may sting, redden the eyes and cause blurring or occasional headaches. Such side-effects usually disappear after a few weeks. Though rare, other drops may affect pulse, heartbeat and breathing. Diamox, the common pill, sometimes causes tingling of fingers and toes, loss of appetite, bowel irregularities, and occasional kidney stone formation. They are usually prescribed only when absolutely necessary. You should notify your ophthalmologist immediately if there is a question of possible side-effects.