First things first, there are several different types of glaucoma most of which are treated in different ways. Types of glaucoma include:
- Chronic or primary open-angle glaucoma
- Acute closed-angle glaucoma
- Congenital glaucoma
- Pigmentary glaucoma
- Secondary glaucoma
How Can We Treat It?
The most common forms of glaucoma are mild or acute. Typically, we can treat them fairly easily.
- Mild Glaucoma Treatment: Mild or open-angle glaucoma can usually be treated with eye drops that need to be used once a day.
- Acute Glaucoma: Acute or close, narrow-angle glaucoma is typically treated with a laser iridotomy. During this procedure, we will create a small hole in the iris which allows fluid to drain out of the canals in the eye to clear everything up. In addition to this type of laser, we may use a treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty which allows for even more drainage to enter out of the eye. This treatment can also sometimes be used instead of eyedrops.
Depending on your vision and your past history, we may recommend that you get eye exams as frequently as every year. If you have a family history of glaucoma or if you haven’t had an eye exam in a while, contact our Athol office and call us at (978) 249-2020.