Glaucoma Treatment: Keep Your Vision Safe

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness, but the good news is you have choices. Whether you prefer drops, a quick laser session, or surgery, understanding each option helps you pick what fits your life.

Medication Options

Eye‑drops are the most common first‑line treatment. They work by lowering the fluid pressure inside the eye, which protects the optic nerve. There are several families of drops:

• Prostaglandin analogs – often used once daily, they increase fluid outflow.
• Beta‑blockers – reduce fluid production; sometimes cause a slow heart rate.
• Alpha agonists – both reduce production and increase outflow, but may cause dry mouth.
• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors – work on fluid production, can be a pill if drops aren’t enough.

When you start drops, give them a few weeks to see if pressure drops to the target range. If not, your doctor may add a second medication. Remember to set a reminder; missing doses can let pressure creep back up.

Procedures: Laser & Surgery

If drops don’t control the pressure or cause side effects, a procedure may be the next step. Laser therapy is quick, usually done in the doctor’s office, and doesn’t require a hospital stay.

• Selective Laser Trabecular Microsurgery (SLT) – targets the drainage angle to improve fluid outflow. Minimal discomfort, and you can go home the same day.
• Argon Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (ALPI) – mainly used for angle‑closure glaucoma. It creates a tiny hole in the iris to open the drainage path.

When laser isn’t enough, surgical options are considered. The most common is a trabeculectomy, where a small flap is made to let fluid drain into a new pocket. Newer minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) use tiny stents or tiny tubes and often have faster recovery.

Before any procedure, your eye doctor will measure your eye pressure, look at the optic nerve, and discuss risks. Most people experience pressure reduction, but you’ll still need regular check‑ups.

Living with glaucoma means staying on top of appointments and checking your pressure numbers. Keep a log of your drops, note any side effects, and tell your doctor about new medications you start, because they can affect eye pressure.

Lastly, protect your eyes from injury and keep a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, and controlling blood pressure can all help keep your eye pressure steady.

Glaucoma may feel scary, but with the right treatment plan you can protect your vision for years to come.