Interventions for glaucoma and management of intraocular pressure

Glaucoma is one of the health conditions that have generated significant attention in the health care sector because it is the second-leading cause of blindness. This disease is a major challenge because it progresses or develops without symptoms until it successfully damages the optic nerve. As a result, approximately 50% of people with this condition remain undiagnosed while nearly one in every ten people aged 80 years or more are affected by it (Parente, 2011). Given its tendency to develop without symptoms until it becomes severe, glaucoma is a major health risk to every individual ranging from newborns to the elderly. While standard treatments exist, glaucoma can cause loss of vision or total blindness because of pressure inside the eye.

Glaucoma, which is also known as increased intraocular pressure (IOP), is a condition attributable to insufficient drainage of aqueous humor from the eye's anterior chamber (Vera, 2013). The condition results in damage of the optic nerve of the eye, which becomes worse or severe over time. As a result of increased pressure, glaucoma results the atrophy of the optic nerve which may progress to blindness if untreated. Since this condition tends to be inherited, it may not be detected until during later stages in life.

Glaucoma is classified into two i.e. open-angle and close-angle or narrow angle. The most common type of this illness is recurring open-angle glaucoma, which accounts for 90% of the disease. Open-angle glaucoma tends to develop slowly and may affect both eyes while it's also associated with myopia and diabetes. Given the lack of early warning signs, open-angle glaucoma can contribute to gradual loss of peripheral vision. On the contrary, close-angle or narrow angle glaucoma is less common and mostly linked to eye trauma, papillary dilation, and several inflammatory procedures following the installation of mydriatic drops. It is mostly manifested through sudden excruciating pain around or in the eye, ocular redness, and blurred vision.

Interventions for Glaucoma

Even though there is no cure for glaucoma, it can be prevented in cases where associated changes are detected early and properly treated. However, there are several interventions that can be utilized to help in treatment of this condition including:

The first intervention measure for glaucoma is eye drops, which are absorbed into the bloodstream and help control eye pressure. However, the effectiveness of this intervention requires counting drops and complying with schedule and/or doses (Vera, 2013).

Medications are administered depending on the severity of the condition and because of the inadequacy of eye drops to effectively control increased intraocular pressure. The most commonly used medications are pills, which help reduce the production of fluid in the eye or turn down the eye's faucet.

Surgical procedures are utilized when medications fail to generate desired results or produce intolerable side effects. Some of the most commonly utilized surgical interventions include laser surgery, trabeculectomy, non-penetrating surgery, and drainage implant surgery.

Drug therapy, which must be meticulously complied with, is utilized because it prevents increased intraocular pressure that generates disk changes.

Standardized extracts of bilberry and French maritime pine bark are natural interventions used in preventing this condition. These interventions reverse the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the disease (Parente, 2011).

Interventions for Cushing's Disease

The Cushing's disease is treated through various interventions following tests that are carried out to determine whether the body has excess cortisol and the level of ACH in the blood. Given the difficulties in diagnosing the condition, the diagnosis is usually delayed and may contribute to the disease's severity. Some of the most common interventions for Cushing's disease include:

Surgery: Surgical procedures are carried out to remove the pituitary adenoma and tend to be long-term cure for the condition. These procedures are carried out by health professionals like pituitary surgeons and neurosurgeons. These professionals utilize different techniques like endoscopic endonasal approach and endoscopic technique.

Medication: Medical or drug therapy is the second most commonly used intervention for the Cushing's disease though there is no single effective drug that reduces the production of ACH or the size of pituitary gland (UCLA Health, n.d.). However, medications help in inhibiting the production of cortisol in the adrenal gland as well as dealing with causes of excessive control. For seriously ill patients, medical or drug therapy is necessary before the appropriate surgical procedure is carried out.

Radiation therapy: Since surgeons may be unable to remove the tumor through surgical procedures, radiation therapy is utilized because it's effective in controlling the growth of the tumors. While it helps control tumor growth, the side effect of radiation therapy is the likelihood of delayed pituitary failure.

Bilateral Adrenalectomy: This intervention is utilized if the tumor cannot be removed through surgical procedures or the patient does not effectively respond to medical therapy or radiation therapy.