Glaucoma is a disease that affects approximately 2.5 million people in the United States and is the second leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve. “Open angle glaucoma” is the most common type. This type of glaucoma is usually associated with elevated pressure inside the eye. This causes a gradual loss of vision, beginning with peripheral vision. The damage typically happens slowly. Because of this, a person usually doesn’t recognize that there is a problem until the central vision is affected. There is no pain associated with open angle glaucoma. Because of its lack of symptoms, it is recommended that a screening examination for glaucoma be performed on anyone 40 years of age or older. Thereafter, examinations should be conducted every two years unless there is a family history of glaucoma or other suspicious findings on examination.
Patients often ask if glaucoma is treatable. In fact, there is an extensive array of treatment options for glaucoma including eye drops, laser treatments, filtering procedures and shunt surgery. None of these treatments however, will allow a patient to regain lost vision. Hence, it is important that glaucoma be diagnosed early to prevent loss of vision. Screening tests for glaucoma include measuring the pressure inside the eye, performing a visual field test, and imaging the optic nerve head to determine the density of its nerve fibers.
Glaucoma treatment typically begins with eye drops. There are a variety of different medications available. The most popular drops are members of a class of drugs called prostaglandin analogs. These drops work by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor from the inside of the eye. These drops include Xalatan, Travatan, and Lumigan. The main side effects of these drops are redness of the eyes, darkening of the eyelashes, and darkening of the lower lid skin. It is even possible for these drugs to change the color of the eye in certain individuals. Of the three, Lumigan has the most side effects because it has the highest concentration of drug. This class of drug is the most popular because they are very effective at lowering the pressure in the eye and only have to be used once a night.
If you have glaucoma and are having trouble with your eye drops, then discuss this with your ophthalmologist. There are other drops that can be used. Also, laser treatment with the SLT laser (selective laser trabeculoplasty) has been found to be as effective as an eye drop. This treatment may allow you to reduce or eliminate your need for eye drops. It is safe, effective and usually covered by your health insurance.
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