Glaucoma - dental considerations and patient care planning

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy and a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Although primarily an ophthalmologic disease, it has important implications for dental medicine. This literature review discusses the clinical relevance of glaucoma in dental practice, focusing on antiglaucoma medications, dental treatment planning, and recognition of symptoms that may resemble dental pathology. Dental procedures involving stress, prolonged supine positioning, vasoconstrictors, or nitrous oxide may influence intraocular pressure or create additional risks in susceptible patients. Dentists should obtain a detailed medical history, identify glaucoma type and therapy, apply stress-reduction protocols, select anesthetic agents carefully, manage xerostomia proactively, and arrange urgent ophthalmologic referral when unexplained facial or dental pain is accompanied by visual symptoms. Close collaboration between dentists and ophthalmologists is essential for the safe treatment of patients.