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Glaucoma Treatments & Resources

What Is the Treatment for Glaucoma?

If you have glaucoma, you’ll want to learn more about managing glaucoma as soon as possible, because optic nerve damage from glaucoma is irreversible. Treatment of glaucoma by lowering intraocular pressure can stabilize the condition and protect the optic nerve from getting worse.

There are different options for glaucoma treatment and you should consult a doctor to see which one is most appropriate for you:

Glaucoma Medication

Currently, in the US, eye drops are often the first choice for treating patients. For many people a combination of medications and laser treatment can safely control eye pressure for years. Eye drops used in managing glaucoma decrease eye pressure by helping the eye’s fluid to drain better and/or decreasing the amount of fluid made by the eye.

Laser Surgery or Laser Treatment

There are two main types of laser procedures to treat glaucoma depending on the type of glaucoma. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is used for those with open angle glaucoma and Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is helpful in those who have angle closure glaucoma or its precursor stages.

Conventional or Incisional Surgery

When other treatments do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your doctor may recommend some form of incisional surgery. This surgery is done in a hospital or surgery center, using a microscope and microsurgery instruments, and includes making a cut (incision) in the eye.

Treatment plans can differ depending on the type of glaucoma and the individual patient. 

Treatment options are organized below by glaucoma type.

  • Treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
  • Treatment of Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma
  • Treatment of Other Types of Glaucoma
  • Treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
    Treatment of Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma
    Treatment of Other Types of Glaucoma
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    Glaucoma Patient Resources

    Glaucoma Research Foundation maintains and regularly updates links to useful glaucoma resources for your convenience.

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    Glaucoma Guide for Patients and Families

    The Understanding and Living with Glaucoma booklet is a comprehensive guide for patients who have been recently diagnosed with glaucoma, for their families, and their friends.

    It offers an up-to-date introduction to glaucoma in an easy to understand format, with in-depth information and answers to frequently-asked questions about all aspects of this condition.