Treatment Options for Glaucoma in Seniors

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An eye care specialist can identify glaucoma in seniors through an eye exam. These exams can detect glaucoma well before any eye damage or associated symptoms appear.

Diagnosis and tests

Some of the most useful glaucoma tests include:

🩺 Eye pressure test (tonometry), which measures the pressure inside your eye using a tiny instrument after numbing your eye.

🩺 A visual field test (perimetry) that maps your peripheral vision to identify areas of vision loss caused by glaucoma.

🩺 Dilated eye exam (ophthalmoscopy), where your pupils are dilated with eye drops to allow the specialist to inspect your optic nerve for damage.

🩺 Optic nerve imaging using technologies like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to take detailed images of your optic nerve and retina.

🩺 Corneal thickness test (pachymetry), which measures the thickness of your cornea that can influence eye pressure readings.

🩺 An angle test (gonioscopy) that examines the drainage angle of your eye to determine if it is open or closed.

Glaucoma treatments for older adults

For seniors, glaucoma treatment typically focuses on lowering eye pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Common treatments for glaucoma in older adults include:

🩺 Medicated eye drops – These are often the first line of treatment for glaucoma in seniors to reduce intraocular pressure. They are usually easy to use but may have side effects like dizziness or fatigue.

🩺 Prescription medications – Oral medications may be added if eye drops alone are insufficient. These work over time to help control eye pressure.

🩺 Laser surgery –  Non-invasive laser procedures such as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) can improve fluid drainage and reduce eye pressure, usually performed outpatient and with minimal pain.

🩺 Traditional surgery – In some cases, surgery like trabeculectomy or drainage device implantation is needed to physically improve fluid drainage. However, because seniors often have other health issues and thinner eye tissues, surgery risks must be carefully considered.

🩺 Combination therapy – Often, treatment involves a mix of eye drops, medications, and possibly laser or traditional surgery tailored to individual health status and glaucoma severity.

Seniors might require individualised treatment plans due to age-related factors like other medical conditions, cognitive issues, and physical limitations. Early detection and consistent management are essential to slow progression and preserve vision.