Normal Tension Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a condition in which high pressure builds up in the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. In normal-tension glaucoma, also known as low-tension glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve and vision loss are experienced but with non-elevated pressure present in the eye. This eye condition affects more women than men and normally after the age of 60.

Causes

• While the cause of normal-tension glaucoma is unknown, reduced blood flow to the optic nerve or fragile optic nerves may contribute to the disorder. Reduced blood flow to the optic nerve can be caused by vascular disease.

Symptoms

• Symptoms will not be experienced early in the disease so it is important to keep regular checkups with your optometrist. In late stages of the disease, significant damage to the optic nerve will have occurred and vision loss will begin.

Diagnosis

• Normal-tension glaucoma will be diagnosed by the doctor examining your optic nerve. He will use an ophthalmoscope to look into your eye through the pupil to see the color and shape of the optic nerve. A tonometry is a device that measures pressure inside of the eye. A pachymetry is an ultrasonic wave instrument that measures the thickness of your cornea.

Treatment

• Treatment for normal-tension glaucoma will include lowering the pressure in the eye as much as possible. Eyedrops are the most common treatment for all types of glaucoma and your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of eyedrops. Beta blocker eyedrops such as Betagan and Betoptic reduce production of aqueous humor, a natural fluid produced in your eye and when not drained properly causes pressure to build. Other types of eyedrops that will reduce aqueous humor production include Iopidine, Trusopt and Azopt.

  Oral medications such as Neptazane and Diamox Sequels will be prescribed if eyedrops alone do not decrease pressure in the eyes. Side effects of these drugs include stomach upset, rashes, fatigue, kidney stones, impotence and weight loss. Potassium loss is also common so it is best to add bananas and apple juice to your diet.

Surgery

• When medications are not helping or cannot be tolerated, surgery may be an option. Laser surgery opens blocked drainage holes allowing aqueous fluid to drain easily from the eye reducing pressure. The surgery lasts 10 to 20 minutes and is painless. Your doctor will need to check pressure several times in the following weeks. A drainage implant is a small silicone tube inserted into your eye helping aqueous fluid drain out of your eye. This procedure will be performed in a hospital setting and followups will be required to check pressure within the eyes.