Diagnosed with Glaucoma: What Happens Next?

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with glaucoma, your first reaction may be fear. However, a diagnosis only means your optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA, can now begin treatment to prevent your vision from worsening. It’s far better to know you have glaucoma than it is to be unaware. The sooner you receive treatment, the easier your eye doctor can prevent adåditional vision loss. There are several options for treating glaucoma.

Medicated Eyedrops

In most instances, glaucoma is caused by too much pressure in the eye. Therefore, your eye specialist may prescribe medicated eyedrops that work in one of two ways: by preventing excess tear production or by improving the way fluid drains from your eyes. Both are beneficial in reducing pressure.

Oral Medications

Alongside your eyedrops, your vision specialist may prescribe an oral medication known as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. This is a type of diuretic that limits the body’s production of aqueous humor, thus lowering intraocular pressure.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy may also be beneficial in relieving pressure in the eye. Your vision professional may use a laser to improve the way fluid drains from the area where your iris and cornea meet. This procedure can be done easily in your eye doctor’s office and will usually show full results within several weeks.

Surgery

In some instances, surgery may be required to relieve intraocular pressure. During this procedure, an eye surgeon may place tubes to increase drainage. Or they may perform a MIGS procedure, which is an acronym for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA, Lappen Eye Care can help with treatment. Call today to schedule a consultation.