What is the purpose of administering Diamox to glaucoma patients?

The purpose of administering Diamox, also known as acetazolamide, to glaucoma patients is to decrease aqueous humor production. In glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure results from an overproduction of aqueous humor or decreased outflow. Diamox is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces the production of aqueous humor, leading to a decrease in intraocular pressure. This is particularly beneficial in managing conditions such as open-angle glaucoma or acute angle-closure glaucoma, where lowering the pressure is critical to prevent optic nerve damage and maintain vision. By effectively decreasing aqueous humor production, Diamox helps manage the disease and reduce the risk of complications associated with high intraocular pressure.