Abstract
Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease, in which one of the risk factors - high intraocular pressure - renders the blood flow through the papilla of the optic nerve insufficient, thus compromising the visual functions. The current concept of etiopathogenesis of glaucoma refers to damage of the retinal ganglion cells, nerve fibers, and recently was also to related to the central nervous system.
Eventually, irreversible visual loss ensues. Glaucoma can be treated conservatively (using pharmacotherapy), with a laser or surgically.
The choice of appropriate therapy depends on the type of glaucoma, severity of visual loss, risk factors, the patient's comorbidities, and his/her age. As for the drugs used in glaucoma pharmacotherapy, these are prostaglandin analogues and prostamides, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2-sympatomimetics, parasympatomimetics, and hyperosmotic substances.
The main goal of glaucoma treatment is to maintain adequate visual function and good quality of life.