Description Disorder in which t...
Description
Disorder in which the pressure within the eye is increased. It most commonly results from abnormal circulation or blocked drainage of the fluid (aqueous humor) within the eye. The cause for this is often unknown though it can run in families or follow an infection or injury, especially if there is bleeding in the eye. Normally, the fluid produced is absorbed at the same rate. When this balance is upset, pressure may build up in the eye. If the abnormally high pressure is not reduced damage to the nerve of the eye (optic nerve) can occur resulting in the loss of sight. Pre-Glaucoma is suspected with increased intraocular pressure, with no perceived damage to the disc (the nerve-containing structure at the back of the eye) or visual fields.
Symptoms
Decreased vision, pain, nausea, visual disturbances, headache, eye redness.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Pressures within the eye will be measured during a painless procedure in which a puff of air is blown into the eye. This is a part of a routine eye examination with an eye specialist.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: Pressure in the eye must be measured
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Pressures within the eye will be measured during a painless procedure in which a puff of air is blown into the eye. This is a part of a routine eye examination with an eye specialist.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: Pressure in the eye must be measured
Specialists:
Ophthalmology
Treatment
Treatment consists of glaucoma medications, and/or surgery. The medications include eye drops and oral medications. The most common eye drops are beta-blockers (levobunolol/Betagan, timolol/Timoptic, betaxolol/Betoptic, metipranolol/OptiPranolol), alpha-agonists (apraclonidine/Iopidine, brimonidine/Alphagan), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide/Trusopt, brinzolamide/Azopt), prostaglandins (latanoprost/Xalatan, bimatoprost/Lumigan, travoprost/Travatan), miotic or cholinergic drugs (pilocarpine/Pilopine, carbachol/Isopto Carbachol), and epinephrine agents (dipivefrin/Propine). The oral medications most commonly used are carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: acetazolamide/Diamox and methazolamide/Neptazane.