Juvenile Glaucoma

What is the treatment?

The primary goal of treatment is to reduce intraocular pressure to prevent or minimize damage to the optic nerve. Treatment options may include:

Eye drops:

Medications, such as prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, may be prescribed to lower intraocular pressure.

Oral medications:

In some cases, oral medications may be used to control intraocular pressure.

Surgery:

If medications are ineffective, surgery may be needed. Surgical options include trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy (link), or surgery to implant aqueous drainage devices (link).

Laser operations:

Laser trabeculoplasty-SLT (link) can be performed to improve drainage and reduce intraocular pressure.

Long-term treatment:

Juvenile glaucoma requires ongoing management and monitoring. This usually includes regular eye exams, intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve evaluation, and visual field testing. Adherence to prescribed medications and follow-up appointments is vital to preventing vision loss.