What Is the Best Treatment for Glaucoma?

Many conditions can affect your vision, but glaucoma is one of the most notorious. Unlike many other conditions, glaucoma often has few to no symptoms. Annual eye exams at Heart of Texas Eye Care can detect glaucoma before it damages your vision and determine the appropriate treatment. 

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye condition in which the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP) becomes too high because the fluid cannot drain normally. This increased IOP puts pressure on the optic nerve, and over time it can damage this nerve and start to affect your vision. The most common type of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, progresses slowly, but closed-angle glaucoma can develop rapidly. 

What Causes Glaucoma?

Many factors contribute to developing glaucoma. The strongest risk factor is age. Other risk factors include eye pressure, genetics(family history and/or ethnicity), and a history of eye injury or trauma. Any of these factors can contribute to a blockage of drainage from your eye, increasing the IOP. People with refractive errors such as nearsightedness or farsightedness are also at higher risk. 

What is the Best Treatment for Glaucoma?

The best treatment for your glaucoma depends on the type, severity, and cause of your condition. Treatments are most effective when started before vision damage occurs but can stop the condition from progressing at any stage. 

Medications

Medicated eye drops are a mainstay of glaucoma treatment. They are non-invasive and safe for most people. Your ophthalmologist will determine which type of medication may work best for you. You and your doctor may try several treatments to find the best one for you. The FDA has recently approved a medication implant that can limit the need for eye drops. 

Laser Therapy

Your eye surgeon can use a laser to create a channel that allows your eye to drain more easily. This procedure is quick and painless. It can provide many people with long-lasting relief and less dependence on medicated eye drops. 

Surgery

Your eye surgeon may choose minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), a form of surgery that uses tiny incisions or devices to improve drainage. Technology for implants such as stents is constantly improving, making glaucoma even more manageable. 

What is Recovery Like After Glaucoma Treatment?

Recovery after glaucoma treatment is usually quick and smooth. Some people may experience blurriness, irritation, or itching that lasts a day or two. Your eye doctor will advise you on any limitations to your activities, which are normally minimal. While glaucoma treatment can lower your IOP and prevent future damage, the optic nerve cannot repair itself. As a result, any vision loss is permanent. Regular eye exams can prevent damage from occurring. 

Take the Next Step

If you’d like to learn more about glaucoma treatment, schedule a consultation with our Heart of Texas Eye Care team, serving Dripping Springs, Austin, Kyle, Bee Cave, Marble Falls, and other surrounding areas. Contact us at (512) 213-2220 today!

*Individual results may vary