The eyes are filled with a fluid called the aqueous humor, which drains out of the eyes through a series of ducts. If these ducts become blocked or too much of this fluid is made, it can lead to increasing pressure within the eyes. This elevated eye pressure can compress and damage the optic nerve, leading to a condition called glaucoma, which results in blindness. Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be stopped from progressing by relieving the eye pressure.
Step 1
Use eyedrops that increase eye drainage. According to the Mayo Clinic, many different eyedrops can be used to help increase the drainage. These include epinephrine eyedrops (epinephrine, which is also known as adrenaline, increases the drainage of the eye and is sometimes sold as depivefrin), prostaglandin-imitators (such as latanoprost and travoprost), as well as cholinergic drugs (such as pilocarpine).
Step 2
Use eyedrops that reduce aqueous humor production, which can relieve eye pressure. Eyedrops that work in this way include beta-blockers (such as betaxolol and timoprolol), alpha-agonists (such as brimonidine), and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (which include the compounds brinzolamide and drozolanide).
Step 3
Take oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. In some cases, eyedrops alone may not adequately relieve eye pressure. The Mayo Clinic recommends that patients take carbonic anhydrase pills to further relieve pressure. Patients taking this prescription medication should consume high-potassium foods (such as bananas and apple juice) because these medications can cause potassium loss.
Step 4
Have your eyes surgically repaired. MedlinePlus indicates that surgery may be necessary for patients who cannot sufficiently lower their eye pressure with medications. Often this kind of surgery involves using a laser to increase the size of the holes that allow the aqueous humor to drain out of the eye.
