Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

Glaucoma

Treatment

In the United States, treatment of open angle glaucoma usually begins with prescription eye drops. These medicines lower pressure inside the eye. As an alternative to medication or when medication fails to control glaucoma, laser surgery can be done. This surgery, also called laser trabeculoplasty, uses a laser to widen the openings in the eye's drainage system. Laser surgery is quite safe, but the condition gets worse again over time. In Europe, laser surgery is often used as first-line treatment for glaucoma. If both medication and laser surgery are unsuccessful, conventional eye surgery may be necessary to make a new opening for fluid to leave the eye.

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, be sure to follow up regularly with your eye doctor. It is also important that you use your medication as directed. Many people do not follow through with treatment because they feel fine and do not notice the gradual loss of their vision. However, it is important to remember that glaucoma treatment prevents further damage to your eye, but will not restore vision that has already been lost.

Acute glaucoma must be recognized and treated within 24 hours to prevent loss of vision. Treatment usually begins with laser treatment to make a new opening in the iris that allows fluid to drain. This often cures the problem, but it sometimes is necessary to use eye drops long-term or to perform additional surgery.