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Glaucoma Ocular Hypertension & Drug Treatment

Ocular hypertension is excessively high eye pressure, which is most commonly associated with the vision-threatening glaucoma disease. Ophthalmologists use a variety of drug treatments in the form of eye drops and oral medications to decrease ocular hypertension and prevent vision loss.

  1. Significance

    • The most significant fear of glaucoma patients is vision loss. Glaucoma is the leading worldwide cause of permanent vision loss and blindness in both eyes, according to MedicineNet.com's report on glaucoma. This disease affects 3 million Americans and roughly 6 million people around the globe.

    Ocular Hypertension and Age

    • Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the amount of fluids (aqueous humor) in the eye. IOP increases when there is a buildup of eye fluids and leads to elevated IOP, called ocular hypertension, which is typical (and likely to increase) after age 40, according to MedicineNet.com. This is caused by some obstruction and/or malfunction in the eye's drainage system.

    Function of Treatment

    • Ocular hypertension in glaucoma patients is a threat to the optic nerve, which is responsible for vision. Damage to the nerve results in vision loss. The goal of treatment is to lower IOP to normal levels, which is achieved by reducing the buildup of eye fluids.

    Eye Drop Prescriptions

    • Eye drops are commonly prescribed for glaucoma patients. The drops treat ocular hypertension by either reducing the amount of fluids that are present and causing the buildup, or by triggering a fluid outflow to essentially accomplish the same objective. The type of drops used varies by overall eye condition. Types include prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, alpha-adrenergic agonists, miotics and epinephrines.

    Oral Drug Treatments

    • Oral medications may be used to reduce ocular hypertension by increasing the drainage of excessive fluids from the eye. Carbonic anhydrase anhibitors are the commonly prescribed oral medication. Brands of carbonic anhydrase anhibitors include Neptazane, Diamox and Daranide.

    Laser Surgery

    • In addition to prescription oral medications and eye drops, many opthalmologists treat ocular hypertension of glaucoma with laser surgery. Lasers can be used to create drainage channels or holes to release excess fluids, dissolve present fluids or, in severe cases of glaucoma, dissolve fluid-producing cells. Trabeculoplasty is the common form of laser surgery for glaucoma patients.

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