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.^2,3

Diagnosing glaucoma

There are several tests that an ophthalmologist might use to diagnose glaucoma.^2,3

• Angle exam (gonioscopy): Examines your eye’s drainage area, at the angle where your cornea (the clear outer layer of your eye) meets your iris (the coloured part of your eye). A narrow or blocked drainage angle increases your risk of glaucoma.
• Corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry): Measures the thickness of your cornea. A thin cornea means an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma.
• Dilated eye exam: Uses eye drops to widen your pupil (the black circle at the centre of your eye). A special tool shines a bright light into the back of your eye, so your ophthalmologist can examine your retina and optic nerve. Atypical size and shape of blood vessels means an increased risk of glaucoma.
• Eye pressure check (tonometry): Measures the pressure level in your eye. Increased pressure means an increased risk of glaucoma.
• Optic nerve imaging (optical coherence tomography): Uses a special digital camera to capture images of the retina and optic nerve. Damage or abnormalities indicate a higher risk of glaucoma.
• Visual field test: Checks for any ‘missing’ areas in your field of vision (e.g. straight ahead or to the side). Blank or blurry spots mean an increased likelihood of glaucoma.

Note: During certain tests, you will be given eye drops to numb the surface of your eyes, so your ophthalmologist can use special testing tools without causing you any discomfort.²

Treatments for glaucoma

Unfortunately, vision loss because of glaucoma cannot be restored, but treatment can slow it down or stop it from progressing further.^1-3

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 reduce the pressure inside your eyes.³ These medications are usually known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.³

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.^2-4 This helps to improve fluid drainage and reduce pressure build-up.^3,4

Incisional surgery (filtering surgery): A procedure called a trabeculectomy (pronounced truh-bek-u-LEK-tuh-me) creates an opening to help fluid drain from your eye more efficiently.^3,4

Drainage implant: A small tube shunt is implanted into the eye to drain away excess fluid and lower the pressure levels.^3,5

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.⁶ This means you need to take your medication/s in the right amounts and at the right times.^6,7

Managing glaucoma is a lifelong process.^3,7 It’s important to have regular eye exams, so your eye care professional can monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan if needed.^2,3,7

Discover some helpful tips for making your treatment easier here.