Treatment of Glaucoma in the Elderly

Elevated eye pressure--ocular hypertension--increases with age, and is strongly associated with glaucoma, according to MedicineNet.com's glaucoma report. Vision loss is the most dreaded possible outcome of this eye disease, but with early detection and proper treatment, this can be avoided.

Significance

• Glaucoma is the number one worldwide cause of permanent vision loss and blindness in both eyes, according to MedicineNet.com, which also reports that roughly 6 million people around the world are affected by the glaucoma eye disease, and more than 3 million Americans have glaucoma.

Age and Eye Pressure

• Eye pressure, technically called intraocular pressure--IOP--is determined by the amount and flow of eye fluids, aqueous humor, which bathe and protect the eye, and help supply its oxygen and nutrients. When the drainage of this eye fluid is obstructed or malfunctions, usually caused by some other eye condition, the fluid builds up, thereby increasing IOP. Elevated IOP is typical for those over 40, and increases with age, according to MedicineNet.com.

Function of Treatment

• The ultimate function of glaucoma treatments for the elderly is to lower the eye pressure to normal levels, so that the patient's eyesight isn't threatened by the high IOP's ability to damage the optic nerve--responsible for vision. Reducing the amount of eye fluids trapped in the eye is what lowers IOP.

Eye Drops

• Special eye drops are prescribed to lower the high IOP by either reducing the amount of present fluids in the eye, or increasing the outflow of fluid. There are many different kinds of eye drops that may be used, and the kind prescribed depends on the patient's overall eye condition. Beta-blockers, prostaglandin analogs, miotics, alpha-adrenergic agonists, and epinephrines are a few of the types of eye drops prescribed for glaucoma.

Oral Medications

• Oral medications are sometimes prescribed for elderly glaucoma patients. These also function to increase fluid outflow from the eye. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are the oral medications commonly prescribed for glaucoma treatment, and include brands like Diamox, Neptazane and Daranide.

Laser Surgery

• Advances in laser technology have had an impact on glaucoma treatment. Lasers are used to create drainage channels or holes in the eye, and to dissolve excess fluid, or rid cells that are causing blockage. In severe cases of glaucoma, lasers are used to destroy fluid-producing cells. The most commonly used type of glaucoma laser treatment is trabeculoplasty.