Glaucoma describes a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. According to the National Eye Institute, an increase in the pressure in the eye, the intraocular pressure, leads to optic nerve damage in glaucoma. The National Institutes of Health names it the second most common cause of blindness in the U.S.
Angle closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that occurs due to a sudden blockade of fluid drainage in the eye, leading to rapid increase in intraocular pressure. Early and adequate treatment is required to save the eye from irreparable damage. Several treatment options are available, which can be combined in emergency situations.
Medications
All medications used in angle closure glaucoma lower build up of the intraocular pressure by lowering aquaeous fluid production and/or improving fluid drainage. Most medications for glaucoma are applied as eyedrops.
According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, alpha adrenergic agonists reduce the production of aquaeous humor, the principal fluid responsible for changes in intraocular pressure, and increase its outflow. Examples of alpha adrenergic blockers include apraclonidine, brimonidine, epinephrine and dipivefrin.
Beta blockers reduce the production of aquaeous humor. Examples mentioned by the MayoClinic.com include levobunolol, betaxolol, timolol and metipranolol.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors reduce the production of aquaeous humor. Examples are dorzolamide and brinzolamide. Acetazolamide and methazolamide are tablet forms of this class of drugs.
Cholinergic agents or miotics increase the outflow of fluid from the eye. Examples are pilocarpine and echothiophate.
Prostaglandin analogs reduce outflow of aquaeous humor from the eye. Examples of these are latanoprost, bimatoprost and travoprost.
Combinations of different classes of drugs as single tablets are available. According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, these are used in an attempt to achieve better results. Examples of such combinations are Cosopt with dorzolamide and timolol, Xalacom with latanoprost and timolol, Combigen with brimonidine and timolol.
Conventional Surgery
According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, a surgical procedure called peripheral iridectomy can be done in angle closure glaucoma. It involves the removal of a section of the iris to improve outflow of fluid from the eye.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery is also used in angle closure glaucoma. The procedure used in this type of glaucoma, according to the American Health Assistance Foundation, is called laser peripheral iridotomy. Here, an opening is made in the iris to facilitate fluid drainage. According to the MayoClinic.com, this procedure is likely to be done in both eyes because of the likelihood of recurrence of angle closure glaucoma in the other eye. The surgery is done in one eye at a time.
