This condition progresses very slowly and is often symptom-free until very late in its course. The intraocular pressure rises gradually over a period of months to years and slowly causes loss of vision. Because of this lack of symptoms many patients with open angle glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease and that they are losing sight. The treatment of open angle glaucoma primarily entails the use of eye drops to decrease the pressure inside the eye. These drops must be used daily and usually more than once a day.
Some patients require several different kinds of eye drops to control the glaucoma.
In a large majority of patients these drops successfully control the glaucoma and prevent blindness. In the remaining patients, laser treatments or surgical procedures that create an artificial drain for the eye can be used to control the glaucoma in most instances. Commonly asked questions about Glaucoma There is definitely an increased familial incidence of the two types of glaucoma that have been discussed. Someone who has a parent, brother, or sister with one of these types of glaucoma will have about a one in ten chance of developing the condition. There are other secondary types of glaucoma that may or may not be hereditary.