Pharmacological measures generally consist of eye drops that reduce intraocular pressure.
These medications are prescribed to treat eyes with ocular hypertension and glaucoma and must be applied at the correct frequency. The goal of medical treatment is to lower intraocular pressure below the level at which optic nerve damage worsens.
Eye drops reduce pressure through different mechanisms: some decrease aqueous humor production, while others increase outflow.
Good adherence to treatment is essential for effective disease control, as glaucoma is usually a chronic condition requiring continuous and strict monitoring.
Early diagnosis is crucial to manage disease progression, so annual visits to the ophthalmologist are recommended starting at age forty.
The more advanced the glaucomatous process at initial presentation, the lower the target pressure range must be to prevent disease progression.
Initial treatment for open-angle glaucoma is typically medical, with surgery reserved for cases of treatment failure or poor medication tolerance.
The effectiveness of the therapeutic regimen should be periodically reassessed.