Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure in the eye, also known as intraocular pressure, rises. This can result in nerve damage and permanent loss of vision. One form of glaucoma, known as narrow angle glaucoma, occurs suddenly and requires immediate medical treatment because the intraocular pressure rises suddenly.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are medications that are commonly used to treat narrow angle glaucoma. Beta blockers reduce the amount of aqueous humor that is produced, which helps lower the pressure in the eye. This is essential for the treatment of narrow angle glaucoma, the online Handbook of Ocular Disease Management explains. As a result, beta blockers are often one of the first medications used in the event of narrow angle glaucoma. One commonly prescribed beta blocker is timolol, the Merck Manual explains, which is administered via eye drops containing 0.5 percent timolol.
Alpha-agonists
Alpha agonists are another class of medication used to reduce intraocular pressure. These drugs increase the rate at which aqueous humor is drained from the eye. A 1-percent solution of apraclonidine, which is an alpha agonist, is often used for the treatment of narrow angle glaucoma, the Handbook of Ocular Disease Management notes.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can also be used to reduce intraocular pressure. These medications, which include acetazolamide, dorzolamide and brinzolamide, reduce aqueous humor production, explains the MayoClinic.com. These medications can be taken orally.
Miotics
Miotic agents are potent medications which can rapidly reduce intra-ocular pressure, notes the Merck Manual. These drugs increase the rate at which aqueous humor flows out of the eye. One of the more commonly used miotic agents, pilocarpine, can be administered as a 2- to 4-percent solution directly into the eyes. Miotic agents are only recommended once the intraocular pressure has already been reduced via other medications, as these drugs are not effective when the eye pressure is over 40mm of mercury.
Laser Peripheral Iriodtomy
Once the pressure in the eye has been lowered, narrow angle glaucoma requires laser surgery for successful long-term treatment. The most commonly used procedure is called a laser peripheral iriodtomy, in which a laser burns a hole which allows the aqueous humor to flow out of the eye more easily. Typically this is done on both eyes, since patients who have had narrow angle glaucoma in one eye have a high risk of also developing the condition in the other eye.
