Glaucoma – diagnosis and treatment

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve which, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible vision loss and even blindness. The condition often develops unnoticed, as it usually causes no symptoms in its early stages.

Why is early diagnosis important?

The most common cause of glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure, which damages the optic nerve. However, glaucoma can also occur with normal intraocular pressure. Early diagnosis is crucial to slow down or stop disease progression.

Typical symptoms of glaucoma

  • Often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease
  • Visual field loss (tunnel vision)
  • Blurred or unclear vision
  • Increased sensitivity to glare
  • Pain or pressure in the eye (in certain types of glaucoma)
  • Sudden deterioration of vision (in acute glaucoma attacks – a medical emergency!)

Diagnosis – how is glaucoma detected?

As glaucoma develops gradually, regular preventive examinations are particularly important. Using state-of-the-art diagnostics, we can detect glaucoma early and reliably:

  • Intraocular pressure measurement (tonometry): assessment of pressure inside the eye
  • Visual field testing (perimetry): detection of visual field defects
  • Optic nerve analysis (OCT – optical coherence tomography): high-resolution imaging of the optic nerve for early detection of damage
  • Pachymetry: measurement of corneal thickness, as this can influence intraocular pressure readings
  • Anterior chamber angle examination (gonioscopy): evaluation of the aqueous humour outflow pathways

Regular follow-up examinations are essential, as damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed – but timely treatment can slow down or stop further progression.

Treatment options – management of glaucoma

The aim of treatment is to lower intraocular pressure in order to slow down or halt the progression of glaucoma. Depending on severity, the following treatment options may be considered:

In most cases, glaucoma is initially treated with eye drops that lower intraocular pressure. Different mechanisms of action are available:

  • Reduction of aqueous humour production (beta blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors)
  • Improvement of aqueous humour outflow (prostaglandin analogues, alpha agonists)
  • Rho-kinase inhibitors – reduce smooth muscle tone, widen Schlemm’s canal, improve aqueous humour outflow and lower intraocular pressure.

Regular and consistent use is crucial for successful treatment.

If medical therapy is insufficient or not well tolerated, laser treatment may be an effective alternative:

Laser treatment is painless and performed on an outpatient basis.

In advanced cases, surgical intervention may be necessary:

  • Trabeculectomy: creation of an artificial drainage pathway for aqueous humour.
  • Microstents (MIGS – minimally invasive glaucoma surgery): minimally invasive procedures using tiny implants to improve aqueous humour outflow.

The choice of treatment depends on the type of glaucoma, disease progression and individual factors.

Why Augenpraxis Odeon?

Frequently asked questions

Glaucoma cannot be completely cured, as existing damage to the optic nerve is irreversible. However, regular monitoring and targeted treatment can effectively slow down or stop disease progression.

Depending on disease severity, we offer several treatment options:

  • Medical therapy with eye drops to lower intraocular pressure
  • Laser treatments such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to improve aqueous outflow
  • Surgical procedures for advanced glaucoma, such as trabeculectomy or microstents (MIGS)

People over the age of 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, or individuals with conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure have an increased risk and should attend regular screening examinations.

In most cases, yes. Treatment is individually tailored, and in some cases laser or surgical procedures may reduce the need for long-term eye drop therapy.

As long as there are no significant visual field defects and visual function remains adequate, driving is usually possible. Regular check-ups are essential to ensure that vision remains sufficient.