There are 2 main types of glaucoma; acute angle closure glaucoma and chronic open angle glaucoma.
As the name suggests, acute angle closure glaucoma has an acute onset where eye pressure suddenly shoots up. Such cases are considered medical emergencies and patient has to be admitted into A&E to bring the eye pressure down as quickly as possible. Medications are usually administered intravenously to allow them to take effect in the shortest possible time.
For chronic open angle glaucoma, the first line of treatment would usually involve topical eyedrops. These eyedrops are aimed to control eye pressure and to prevent further nerve loss. These medications are a lifelong treatment and patient needs to be monitored over the years should modification of medications be needed. We advise you to work closely with your eye doctor on this.
Once the medications fail to work, which may occur years down the road, surgical options would then have to be considered to control the eye pressure.
