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Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, pills, laser surgery, traditional surgery or a combination of these methods. The purpose of any treatment is to prevent vision loss as it is irreversible in glaucoma.

Fortunately, glaucoma can be managed if detected early, and with medical and/or surgical treatment, most people with glaucoma will not lose their sight.

As with any medication or treatment, it is important that you work with your doctor to determine the best course of action for you, making sure they are aware of any medications you may currently be taking, including over the counter pills and vitamins. Treatments can include eye drops or in some cases pills may also be prescribed. If this combination does not achieve the desired results of lowered intraocular pressure, or there are intolerable side effects, a surgical procedure may be the next best option.

Surgical procedures include:

Laser Surgery

• Trabeculoplasty

This is the most common laser procedure performed for open-angle glaucoma. This procedure takes between 10 and 15 minutes, is painless, and can be performed in either a doctor's office or an outpatient facility.

• Peripheral iridotomy

This type of laser surgery is usually reserved for eyes that either have elevated IOP after having failed other more traditional treatments, or those in which filtering surgery is not possible or advisable due to specific features of the eye.

Traditional Surgery
When medications and laser therapies do not adequately lower eye pressure, doctors may recommend conventional surgery.

• Trabeculectomy

This common surgery is used in both open-angle and closed-angle glaucomas. It is usually an outpatient procedure. The number of post-operative visits to the doctor varies, and some activities, such as driving, reading, bending and heavy lifting must be limited for a period of time after the surgery. Even after having a trabeculectomy, a glaucoma patient may still need to use some eye drops to keep their pressure in the desired range.

• Drainage Implant

This is another surgical option where devices, generally a small silicone tube, have been developed to aid the drainage and lower IOP. This type of is preferred in patients whose IOP cannot be controlled with traditional surgery or who have previous scarring.