Inflammatory glaucoma may have many causes, and without treatment, it can lead to severe complications or vision loss.

Inflammatory glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that happens as a result of an inflammation called uveitis. This eye condition can cause symptoms such as eye pain, blurry vision, and eye redness.

As the condition progresses, severe symptoms, such as vision loss, can occur. Treatments include medicated eyedrops, injections, antibiotics, immunosuppressive medications, and surgery, which can help prevent vision loss and other complications.

People with inflammatory glaucoma might notice multiple signs and symptoms. Symptoms can sometimes appear very quickly, but they can also develop slowly. These symptoms can be might be mild or severe.

Early symptoms can include:

Symptoms can appear in one or both eyes. As inflammatory glaucoma progresses, it can cause increased symptoms such as severe eye pain, headaches, and nausea, as well as increased vision symptoms, including:

There isn’t always a known cause for inflammatory glaucoma. Sometimes, the initial inflammation is found to be autoimmune, but can’t be linked to another condition.

When a cause for inflammation can be identified, it’s likely to be a condition such as:

In all instances, inflammatory glaucoma develops if the inflammation increases interocular pressure.

Multiple possible treatment options for inflammatory glaucoma are available. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can be a key part of treatment. No matter the underlying cause, you’ll typically need treatment specifically targeted at the swelling in your eye.

Treatment options include:

  • Anti-inflammatory eye drops: A doctor might prescribe eye drops that contain a corticosteroid or other anti-inflammatory medication.
  • Anti-inflammatory injections: Injections can help treat deeper levels of inflammation.
  • Oral corticosteroids: Oral corticosteroids are another option to help reduce inflammation.
  • Spasm-reducing eye drops: Eye drops might also help reduce eye muscle spasms. These drops can relieve eye pain.
  • Eye pressure relieving eye drops: Eye drops can be used to help reduce glaucoma eye pressure.
  • Eye pressure medications: Oral medication options can also help reduce eye pressure in some cases.
  • Antibiotics or antivirals: Antibiotics and antiviral drugs can help treat an infection that is causing inflammatory glaucoma. They might also help prevent an additional infection.
  • Immunosuppressant medications: Immunosuppressant medications can help treat auto-inflammatory glaucoma by reducing inflammation.
  • Surgical implants: Surgical implants can be an option for inflammatory glaucoma that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Implants release corticosteroids into the eye for months or even years.
  • Laser therapy: Laser therapy is a quick procedure that can help reduce eye pressure by improving how your eyes drain. It can slow down the progression of glaucoma symptoms.
  • Filtering surgery: During this surgical procedure, a doctor creates a tube in the eye to help increase drainage and reduce pressure.
  • Implanted tubes: Sometimes, implanted drainage tubes are an option to relieve glaucoma eye pressure.
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS): Several types of MIGS can help relieve more severe cases of glaucoma.

Are treatments for inflammatory glaucoma covered by insurance?

Your coverage for your inflammatory glaucoma treatments will depend on factors such as your location, insurance plan, and the specific treatments your doctor orders. Alao, details of your plan, such as your deductible and coinsurance and copayment amounts, will affect your total treatment costs. As a rule, most insurance plans will cover treatments they deem “medically necessary”.

You can search for coverage by looking through your plan online or by calling and speaking with a representative. It can help to start by using the ICD-10 number for inflammatory glaucoma, H40.43. An ICD-10 number is the number medical facilities and insurance companies use to bill for specific conditions.

Inflammatory glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that develops as a result of inflammation in the eye. The cause isn’t always known, but when it is, common causes include infections, surgery, injury, or autoimmune conditions.

Without treatment, inflammatory glaucoma can progress to severe complications, including vision loss. Treatments, such as eye drops, injections, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and surgery, can help resolve the condition.