Editing Glaucoma (section)

=== Treatment approaches for primary glaucoma ===
'''Primary angle closure glaucoma:''' Once any symptoms have been controlled, the first line (and often definitive) treatment is laser [[iridotomy]]. This may be performed using either Nd:YAG or argon lasers, or in some cases by conventional incisional surgery. The goal of treatment is to reverse and prevent contact between the iris and trabecular meshwork. In early to moderately advanced cases, iridotomy is successful in opening the angle in around 75% of cases. In the other 25%, laser iridoplasty, medication (pilocarpine) or incisional surgery may be required.

'''Primary open-angle glaucoma:''' Prostaglandin agonists work by opening uveoscleral passageways. Beta-blockers, such as timolol, work by decreasing aqueous formation. [[Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor]]s decrease bicarbonate formation from ciliary processes in the eye, thus decreasing the formation of aqueous humor. Parasympathetic analogs are drugs that work on the trabecular outflow by opening up the passageway and constricting the pupil. Alpha 2 agonists ([[brimonidine]], [[apraclonidine]]) both decrease fluid production (via inhibition of AC) and increase drainage. A review of people with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension concluded that medical IOP-lowering treatment slowed down the progression of visual field loss.<ref name="Vass2007" />