Glaucoma is not a distinct disorder. It is a combination of conditions that cause ocular damage. The damage is gradual. The primary factor in the development of glaucoma is the increase intraocular pressure, or pressure in the eye. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma often shows no symptoms until the advanced stages, when vision becomes severely impaired. Annual eye exams are key to diagnosing glaucoma because intraocular pressure can be measured and assessed for deficiencies.
Prescription Eye Drops
There are multiple types of prescription eye drops that are designed to reduce intraocular pressure or improve aqueous outflow. Beta blockers reduce aqueous outflow. Common types of beta blockers include levobunolol, timolol, betaxolol and metipranolol. Side effects of beta blockers include difficulty breathing, slowed pulse, hair loss, reduce blood pressure, impotence, fatigue, depression and memory loss. Alpha-agonists are prescription eye drops reduce aqueous humor and increase drainage. Apraclonidine and brimonidine are two commonly prescribed alpha-agonists. Patients using alpha-agonists may experience fatigue, dizziness, red and itchy eyes and dry mouth. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors decrease the production of aqueous humor. Dorzolamide and brinzolamide are two types of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Side effects include frequent urination and tingling in the fingers and toes. Prostaglandin-like compounds work to increase aqueous humor. Commonly prescribed compounds include latanoprost, bimatoprost and traroprost. Patients report the following side effects: mild reddening and stinging of the eyes, darkening of the iris, changes in eyelid skin and blurred vision.
Miotic/cholinergic agents increase aqueous humor. Two commonly prescribed ones are pilocarbine and carbachol. Side effects include pain around or inside eyes, pain in the brow or forehead, blurred or dimmed vision, nearsightedness, allergic reactions, stuffy nose, sweating, increased situation and occasional digestive problems. Epinephrine compounds, including dipivefrin, increase aqueous humor as well. Patients report red eyes, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, headaches and anxiety as side effects.
Oral Medications
Oral medications are often prescribed in conjunction with medicated eye drops. Acetazolamide and methazolamide are carbonic anhydrase inhibitors that are commonly prescribed for glaucoma. Similar to the eye drops, frequent urination and tingling of the fingers and toes are two common side effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Some patients include kidney stones, upset stomach, depression, fatigue, impotence and weight loss. Taking oral medications with food can reduce side effects. The Mayo Clinic recommends that patients add bananas and apple juice to their diet to replace potassium that may be lost as a result of these medications.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to correct glaucoma but is generally reserved as a last resort for treatment. A patient's doctor can advise him on the best surgery method. Although they don't occur with all patients, there are some complications and side effects associated with surgery. These side effects include an imbalance in eye pressure and potential loss of vision.
