Treating and Managing Glaucoma

Glaucoma can’t be cured, but it can be managed with proper treatment.¹ Eye drops, oral medications and surgical procedures are all options for controlling glaucoma, slowing down the effects of the disease and preventing further vision loss.¹

Diagnosing glaucoma

There are several tests that an ophthalmologist might use to diagnose glaucoma.²

Visual acuity test: Assesses the smallest letter you can read on a standardised chart.
Eye pressure test: Measures the pressure level in your eye.
Visual field test: Checks for any ‘missing’ areas in your vision.
Ophthalmoscopy: Examines the interior of the eye (using a special tool called an ophthalmoscope).
Gonioscopy: Examines the area where the fluid should drain out of your eye, to check if there is a blockage.
Optic nerve assessment: Determines if your optic nerve has been damaged.

Note: During the eye exam, you might be given eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupils, which gives the ophthalmologist a better view of your eyes.²

Treatments for glaucoma

Unfortunately, vision lost because of glaucoma cannot be restored, but treatment can slow it down or stop it from progressing further.¹

Medications to reduce eye pressure

Eye drops: Prescription eye drops can help to lower eye pressure, either by improving fluid drainage or reducing the amount of fluid your eye produces.³

View our guide on how to take eye drops correctly here.

Oral medications: If eye drops alone don’t lower your eye pressure enough, there are also prescription oral medications that can help.³ You might need to take just one medication or a combination of medications.¹

Surgical procedures to reduce eye pressure:

Laser surgery: A procedure called laser trabeculoplasty (pronounced truh-bek-u-low-plas-tee) uses a small laser beam to stimulate the structure that drains fluid from the eye.^1,3,4 This helps to improve fluid drainage and reduce pressure build-up.^1,3,4

Conventional surgery (filtering surgery): A procedure called a trabeculectomy (pronounced truh-bek-u-lek-tuh-me) creates an opening or ‘drainage flap’ in the white part of the eye, to help fluid drain from your eye more efficiently.^1,3,4

Drainage implant: A small silicone tube shunt is implanted into the eye to drain away excess fluid and lower the pressure levels.^1,3,5 This is usually an option for cases of uncontrolled glaucoma or secondary glaucoma.¹

Follow your treatment to preserve your vision

Following your treatment regimen properly is the only way to manage glaucoma and protect yourself against further vision loss.^1,6 This means you need to take your medication/s in the right amounts and at the right times.⁶

Managing glaucoma is a lifelong process.¹ It’s essential that you have regular eye exams, so your eye care professional can monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan if needed.¹

Discover some helpful tips for making your treatment easier here.