Acute Treatment of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that usually advances over time, causing gradual damage. Sometimes, however, certain types of damage to the eye result in a rapid onset of symptoms that can threaten your eyesight.

Fluid in the Eye

• Eye tissues are nourished by a viscous liquid called aqueous humor. This fluid washes over the lens of the eye before being reabsorbed by the anterior ciliary vein.

Types of Glaucoma

• Glaucomas are characterized by an abnormal rise in eye pressure, which can damage the retina and the optic nerve. Usually, the increase in pressure is due to a slowed drainage of aqueous humor. In such cases, pressure buildup is slow and steady. Sometimes, however, trauma or surgery can cause a complete blockage, which results in an acute rise in pressure.

Symptoms

• The sudden rise in pressure causes intense pain and waves of nausea, accompanied by blurry vision. These symptoms contrast with the symptoms of a slow buildup of pressure, which may be absent until permanent damage to the optic nerve has already occurred.

Surgical Treatments

• The National Eye Institute states that if acute glaucoma strikes, it should be considered an emergency, because vision loss is imminent---sometimes within days. Laser surgery is usually required to resume at least partial fluid flow.

Drug Treatments

• After laser surgery, eye drops or oral medications can be taken to slow pressure buildup in the eye. In combination, these medications can effectively guard against vision loss.