{"id":9403,"date":"2024-03-18T12:19:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T11:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/?page_id=9403"},"modified":"2025-11-10T17:26:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:26:30","slug":"low-pressure-glaucoma","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Low-pressure glaucoma treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Low-pressure glaucoma treatment<\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_8374\" style=\"width: 859px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8374\" class=\"wp-image-8374 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/glaucoma-treatment-complete-overview-of-all-treatment-methods.png\" alt=\"Low-tension glaucoma treatment - we provide a complete overview of the various treatment methods for angle-closure glaucoma\" width=\"849\" height=\"566\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/glaucoma-treatment-complete-overview-of-all-treatment-methods.png 849w, https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/glaucoma-treatment-complete-overview-of-all-treatment-methods-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/glaucoma-treatment-complete-overview-of-all-treatment-methods-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/glaucoma-treatment-complete-overview-of-all-treatment-methods-360x240.png 360w, https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/glaucoma-treatment-complete-overview-of-all-treatment-methods-600x400.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 849px) 100vw, 849px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-8374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Low-tension glaucoma treatment &#8211; we provide a complete overview of the various treatment methods for angle-closure glaucoma<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/#low-pressure-glaucoma\" >Low-pressure glaucoma<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/#causes-of-low-tension-glaucoma\" >Causes of low-tension glaucoma<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/#diagnosis-of-low-pressure-glaucoma\" >Diagnosis of low pressure glaucoma<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/#risk-factors-for-low-pressure-glaucoma\" >Risk factors for low pressure glaucoma<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/#treatment-of-low-pressure-glaucoma\" >Treatment of low pressure glaucoma<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-treatment\/low-pressure-glaucoma\/#prognosis-for-the-clinical-picture-of-low-tension-glaucoma\" >Prognosis for the clinical picture of low tension glaucoma<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"low-pressure-glaucoma\"><\/span>Low-pressure glaucoma<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The disease, formerly known as low tension glaucoma, is known as normal tension glaucoma and has similar characteristic damage to the optic nerve as conventional glaucoma or primary chronic open angle glaucoma.<\/p>\n\n<p>The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. However, the <strong>classic main symptom is conspicuously absent<\/strong>: increased physical eye pressure acting on the inside of the eye (intraocular pressure).<\/p>\n<p>In normal-tension glaucoma, the <strong>intraocular pressure is always within the normal range<\/strong>. This means that patients do not have an intraocular pressure higher than 21 mmHg, but still develop damage due to glaucoma. This phenomenon is generally considered to be the main factor in the development of glaucoma.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, studies have shown that a normal intraocular pressure in the range of 11 to 21 mmHg by no means excludes the presence of glaucoma.<\/p>\n<p>Experts now assume that <strong>almost half of all diagnosed cases of glaucoma in Europe can be attributed to the low-pressure variant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"causes-of-low-tension-glaucoma\"><\/span>Causes of low-tension glaucoma<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Normal-tension glaucoma is probably caused by a vascular impairment of the optic nerve. Low blood pressure and general circulatory disorders are often associated with it.<\/p>\n<p>An increased sensitivity to intraocular pressure is usually present. In such cases, damage already occurs at pressure levels that can be tolerated by other people without any problems.<\/p>\n<p>The development of glaucoma is gradual, as the blood vessels are not sufficiently supplied with blood in the long term due to a constantly low blood pressure.<\/p>\n<p>This also affects the sensory cells in the eyes, which are damaged if they are not supplied with sufficient nutrients and oxygen.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"diagnosis-of-low-pressure-glaucoma\"><\/span>Diagnosis of low pressure glaucoma<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In glaucoma screening, <strong>pachymetry<\/strong>, the measurement of corneal thickness, is a precise method for determining intraocular pressure. One challenge with normal-tension glaucoma is that it often remains undetected during a routine examination.<\/p>\n<p>In the context of a suspected diagnosis of glaucoma, the normal pressure variant is usually difficult to identify as the intraocular pressure is not elevated.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/free-e-book-on-glaucoma\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7139 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/e-book-glaucoma-teaser-quer-EN.png\" alt=\"Free E-book on Glaucoma by Augenakupunktur Noll\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/e-book-glaucoma-teaser-quer-EN.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/e-book-glaucoma-teaser-quer-EN-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/e-book-glaucoma-teaser-quer-EN-768x346.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To make a diagnosis, the ophthalmologist examines the back of the eye using a <strong>slit lamp (ophthalmoscopy)<\/strong>. This makes it possible to examine structures such as the optic disc and the blood vessels that supply it.<\/p>\n<p>Normal tension glaucoma often shows <strong>small indentations in the area of the optic disc<\/strong> as well as <strong>occasional haemorrhages and thinning at the outer edge of the pupil<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>A special contact lens called a <strong>gonioscope<\/strong> enables the detection of disease processes in the chamber angles of the eye that are associated with the development of glaucoma.<\/p>\n<p>If glaucoma is suspected, visual <strong>field measurement (perimetry)<\/strong> provides further information. <strong>Laser scanning photography or laser scanning ophthalmoscopy<\/strong> provides a precise visualisation of the optic nerve head in 3D, enabling an accurate diagnosis to be made at an early stage of the disease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Optical coherence tomography (OCT)<\/strong> is an imaging technique that also helps to confirm the presence of glaucoma.<\/p>\n<p>An <strong>eye test<\/strong> is performed to check for possible visual impairment and visual acuity. In the case of glaucoma, such damage is usually only recognisable at a more advanced stage.<\/p>\n<p>As normal pressure glaucoma is often caused by vascular problems, a <strong>24-hour blood pressure measurement<\/strong> is often carried out to detect fluctuations and overall low blood pressure values.<\/p>\n<p>If sleep apnoea is suspected as the cause, further examinations such as a<strong> sleep laboratory<\/strong> and a neurological examination may be useful.<\/p>\n<p>An overview of the options for diagnosing low pressure glaucoma:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Corneal_pachymetry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Pachymetry<\/strong><\/a>: measurement of corneal thickness<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ophthalmoscopy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Ophthalmoscopy<\/strong><\/a>: examination of structures in the eye using a slit lamp<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gonioscopy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Gonioscope<\/strong><\/a>: examination of the chamber angle in the eye<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Visual_field_test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Perimetry<\/strong><\/a>: examination of the quality and size of the visual field<\/li>\n<li><strong>Laser scanning ophthalmoscopy<\/strong>: examination of the fundus of the eye<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Optical_coherence_tomography\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Optical coherence tomography (OCT)<\/strong><\/a>: non-contact examination of the retinal structures<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eye test<\/strong>: examination of vision and visual acuity<\/li>\n<li><strong>Long-term blood pressure measurement<\/strong>: measurement of blood pressure over a 24-hour period and creation of a daily blood pressure profile<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sleep laboratory<\/strong>: examination of various sleep parameters of patients (polysomnography)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"risk-factors-for-low-pressure-glaucoma\"><\/span>Risk factors for low pressure glaucoma<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the main risk factors for the development of normal-tension glaucoma is <strong>impaired blood flow to the optic nerve<\/strong>, and the causes of this can be manifold.<\/p>\n<h3>Flammer syndrome<\/h3>\n<p>Flammer syndrome is characterised by<strong> impaired regulation of the blood supply<\/strong> and is often accompanied by various symptoms, including<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low blood pressure<\/li>\n<li>Frequently cold hands and feet<\/li>\n<li>Low body weight<\/li>\n<li>Restricted thirst<\/li>\n<li>Regular migraines<\/li>\n<li>Tinnitus<\/li>\n<li>Increased sensitivity to odours or pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The problem lies not only in <strong>low blood pressure<\/strong>, but above all in<strong> strong fluctuations in blood pressure<\/strong>. These often occur at night and can lead to <strong>significant drops in blood pressure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Sleep apnoea<\/h3>\n<p>In sleep apnoea, the muscles of the upper airways relax during sleep and lead to a constriction in the throat area.<\/p>\n<p>This often manifests itself as loud snoring when breathing in and out. The pauses in breathing during sleep mean that the body is not supplied with sufficient oxygen during these phases.<\/p>\n<h3>Metabolic syndrome<\/h3>\n<p>Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n<p>It consists of four factors that are considered <strong>high risk factors for circulatory disorders<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Obesity, severe <strong>overweight<\/strong>, especially in the abdominal area<\/li>\n<li><strong>High blood pressure<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Insulin resistance<\/strong>, for example in the form of type 2 diabetes mellitus<\/li>\n<li><strong>Disorders in fat metabolism a<\/strong>nd abnormal blood lipid levels<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"treatment-of-low-pressure-glaucoma\"><\/span>Treatment of low pressure glaucoma<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A decisive factor in the treatment of normal-tension glaucoma is to prevent the progression of optic nerve damage. The treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disease and the individual findings.<\/p>\n<p>A key aspect is the regulation or optimisation of blood pressure to a healthy level. This is usually achieved by<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Drug therapy<\/strong> (e.g. miotics, the longest known medication)<\/li>\n<li>A significant and sustainable <strong>change in lifestyle<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Consistent <strong>weight management<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Sport<\/strong>! regular, moderate physical activity with an increase over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As with macular degeneration, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/macular-degeneration\/macular-degeneration-nutrition\/\">diet also plays an important role<\/a>, with antioxidant foods such as healthy vegetable fats, omega-3 fatty acids and an abundant intake of vegetables and berries being recommended. Adequate fluid intake, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/glaucoma\/glaucoma-causes\/stress-and-glaucoma-there-is-a-close-connection\/\">stress management<\/a>, abstinence from nicotine and sufficient sleep all contribute to good health.<\/p>\n<p>The treatment of normal tension glaucoma requires <strong>interdisciplinary collaboration between different medical specialities<\/strong> to address the underlying causes. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment, as therapy must be customised.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, eye drops, laser treatment or surgery may be recommended as complementary measures.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"prognosis-for-the-clinical-picture-of-low-tension-glaucoma\"><\/span>Prognosis for the clinical picture of low tension glaucoma<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As with most eye diseases, the<strong> timing of treatment<\/strong> is a decisive factor in the prognosis of normal tension glaucoma. Recognising the disease at an early stage significantly improves the chances of success.<\/p>\n<p>Treatment should always aim to address the underlying cause in order to positively influence the course of the disease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Continuous medical monitoring<\/strong> is of great importance, as blindness can occur in the long term if left untreated. Successful treatment of the underlying disease can often lead to extensive freedom from symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>However, it is important to <strong>permanently control the underlying blood pressure<\/strong> problems. <strong>Lifestyle changes<\/strong> also play a decisive role in prevention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Low-pressure glaucoma treatment Low-pressure glaucoma The disease, formerly known as low tension glaucoma, is known as normal tension glaucoma and has similar characteristic damage to the optic nerve as conventional glaucoma or primary chronic open angle glaucoma. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. However, the classic main symptom is conspicuously absent: increased [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8371,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"ohne-ueberschrift.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9403","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9403"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9403\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10575,"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9403\/revisions\/10575"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.akupunktur-noll.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}