Glaucoma: Your GoodRx Guide

Definition

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases to the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends light signals to the brain so people can see. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness.

There are several types of glaucoma, some of which are associated with high pressure inside the eye:

• Open angle glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma and is caused by a buildup of pressure inside the eye.

• Angle closure glaucoma: This type of glaucoma occurs when there is a physical block that prevents fluid from leaving the eye. It can lead to blindness if not treated quickly.

• Normal tension glaucoma: People with normal tension glaucoma have normal eye pressure but still develop glaucoma.

• Secondary glaucoma: Secondary glaucoma include neovascular, uveitic, and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. These types of glaucoma develop because of other medical conditions that can affect the eye.

• Congenital glaucoma: Infants can be born with glaucoma if they’re born with a blockage that keeps fluids from draining from inside the eye.

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Symptoms

Most people don’t experience any symptoms from glaucoma. In fact, most people don’t even realize they have glaucoma until it’s picked up during a routine eye exam.

If people have more advanced glaucoma, they may notice changes in their peripheral (side) vision. Glaucoma worsens peripheral vision first but then can start to affect central vision.

People with angle closure glaucoma may experience sudden symptoms like severe headache, eye pain, eye redness, nausea, and halos around lights. Angle closure glaucoma can quickly lead to blindness. People who develop these symptoms should see an eye doctor right away. 

Diagnosis

An eye doctor can diagnose glaucoma with a complete eye exam. This includes:

• An eye pressure check

• Visual field testing, which checks peripheral and central vision

• Visual acuity testing, which checks how clearly someone can see

• A dilated eye exam to look at the optic nerve, retina, and other parts of the eye

• Pictures of the back of the eye

Some people need to see a glaucoma specialist. These ophthalmologists have added expertise in glaucoma care along with their ophthalmology training.

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Medications

Glaucoma treatment often starts with prescription eye drops that work in different ways to lower the pressure inside the eyes. Some eye drops help fluid drain out of the eye. Others stop the eye from making too much fluid.

Most people need more than one type of medication to combat eye pressure. Glaucoma eye drops are available as single medication or combination medications, which can be more convenient.

Glaucoma eye drops are usually used once a day but cannot always be used at the same time. Glaucoma eye drops can cause side effects like:

• Eye redness

• Eyelash growth

• Darkening of eye color and/or skin around the eyes

• Eye irritation

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Treatments

Some people need added treatment for their glaucoma like laser eye surgery which can help lower eye pressure inside the eye.

Two common types of laser eye surgery for glaucoma are:

• Selective laser trabeculoplasty: This type of laser surgery can be done in your ophthalmologist’s office and takes only 5 minutes. It works by lowering the pressure inside the eye. Sometimes, it’s offered before starting eye drops.

• Laser peripheral iridotomy: This type of laser surgery can help people who have angle closure or narrow angle glaucoma. It creates a small hole in the colored part of your eye (iris) that helps fluid exit from your eye and lower the eye pressure. Sometimes, this has to be performed right away if your eye pressure is very high.

If eye drops and laser eye surgery don’t help, people may need eye surgery for their glaucoma. There are different surgeries that can help like minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, trabeculectomy, and glaucoma implant surgery. The recovery period varies for each type of surgery, and you may need to use glaucoma eye drops long term even after surgery.

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Prevention

One of the most important things you can do to prevent glaucoma is to stop smoking. People who smoke have a higher chance of developing glaucoma.

Also, make sure to wear eye protection during work or activities that can lead to eye injuries. Wearing eye protection protects your eyes and keeps you from developing traumatic glaucoma.

Aside from those two things, the best way to keep your vision safe is to get regular eye exams.