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Glaucoma Treatment
Last Updated: July 3, 2026
Lifestyle Modifications
Support overall eye health, manage risk factors, and facilitate early detection and ongoing monitoring of glaucoma.
- Undergo regular comprehensive eye examinations, especially if you are over 50 years old or have a family history of glaucoma (e.g., a parent or sibling).
- Manage underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and short-sightedness, which can increase your risk or exacerbate glaucoma.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, regular moderate exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
ConsultOptometristOphthalmologist
Medicinal Treatment
Decrease intraocular pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve and preserve vision.
- Prescription eye drops, which are the most common initial treatment, designed to decrease the amount of fluid produced in the eye or improve its drainage. These include prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
- Oral medications, such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, may be prescribed in some cases for short-term or additional intraocular pressure reduction, though less common than eye drops.
- Consistent adherence to prescribed medication regimens and regular follow-up appointments to monitor intraocular pressure, optic nerve health, and visual fields.
ConsultOphthalmologist
Surgical Treatment
Create or enhance drainage pathways to significantly lower intraocular pressure when medication or laser treatment is insufficient, preventing further vision loss.
- Laser treatment, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) or Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) to improve fluid drainage, or Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) for specific types of glaucoma like narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Trabeculectomy, a traditional surgical procedure that creates a new drainage channel for fluid to exit the eye, forming a small 'bleb' under the eyelid to reduce pressure.
- Glaucoma drainage devices (implants/shunts), which involve implanting a small tube or device to divert fluid from the eye, often considered when trabeculectomy is not successful or suitable.
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), a group of newer procedures designed to lower eye pressure with less tissue trauma and faster recovery, often performed in conjunction with cataract surgery.
ConsultOphthalmologist (Glaucoma Specialist)
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OptometristOphthalmologistOphthalmologist (Glaucoma Specialist)
About This Disease
Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of Glaucoma Treatment.
Know more about Glaucoma Treatment