Glaucoma Treatment

With early diagnosis and proper medication and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled. At the present time there is no cure. Once detected, glaucoma usually requires ongoing, long-term care. Keeping your eye pressure under control is very important. You must follow your treatment plan carefully to help control your eye pressure. This will help protect the optic nerve and prevent vision loss.

Glaucoma is typically treated with the use of medications that either help the fluid drain better, or decrease the amount of fluid made by the eye. In most cases, medication can safely control eye pressure for many years.

Surgery is another way to treat glaucoma. In general, any kind of surgery carries some risk, so your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you. In cases of chronic glaucoma, surgery is usually considered when the maximum amount of medicines is not controlling your eye pressure, or when you cannot tolerate the side effects of the medicines.

There are several types of laser surgery used to treat glaucoma. The type of laser surgery will depend on the form of glaucoma you have, and its severity. Laser surgeries are performed in our office, or downstairs in our surgery center. You may meet with one of our surgery coordinators to go over all the necessary paperwork.