Glaucoma (elevated eye pressure)
About Glaucoma (elevated eye pressure)
Disorder in which the pressure within the eye is increased. It results from the excess production of fluid within the front of the eye. Normally, the fluid produced is absorbed at the same rate. When this balance is upset, pressure may build up in the eye. If the abnormally high pressure is not reduced damage to the nerve of the eye (optic nerve) can occur resulting in the loss of sight. Pre-Glaucoma is suspected with increased intraocular pressure, with no perceived damage to the disc or visual field.Symptoms
Decreased vision, pain, nausea, visual disturbances, headache, eye redness.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Intraocular pressures will be measured during a painless procedure in which a puff of air is blown into the eye. This is a part of a routine eye examination with an eye specialistCommon tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Ultrasound.
Prescription medications
- Metipranolol Ophthalmic
- Brimonidine Ophthalmic
- Brinzolamide Ophthalmic
- Dorzolamide and Timolol Ophthalmic
- Travoprost Ophthalmic
- Bimatoprost Ophthalmic
- Apraclonidine Ophthalmic
- Pilocarpine
- Timolol Ophthalmic
- Clonidine
- Acetazolamide Oral
- Pilocarpine Ophthalmic
- Betaxolol Ophthalmic
- Dipivefrin Ophthalmic
- Levobunolol Ophthalmic
- Latanoprost
- Dorzolamide Ophthalmic
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment consists of glaucoma medications, and/or surgery. The medications include eye drops and oral medications. The most common eye drops are beta-blockers (levobunolol/Betagan, timolol/Timoptic, betaxolol/Betoptic, metipranolol/OptiPranolol), alpha-agonists (apraclonidine/Iopidine, brimonidine/Alphagan), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide/Trusopt, brinzolamide/Azopt), prostaglandins (latanoprost/Xalatan, bimatoprost/Lumigan, travoprost/Travatan), miotic or cholinergic drugs (pilocarpine/Pilopine, carbachol/Isopto Carbachol), and epinephrine agents (dipivefrin/Propine). The oral medications most commonly used are carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: acetazolamide/Diamox and methazolamide/Neptazane. Glaucoma Research Foundation: (800)826-6693Medical specialties
Ophthalmology
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Glaucoma (elevated eye pressure).