Treatment is required when there is evidence of optic nerve damage and/or visual field loss due to glaucoma caused by eye pressures being too high in your eye.  Your ophthalmologist will discuss the treatment option most suitable for you. 

The goals of glaucoma treatment are to

• maintain a target eye pressure most suitable for your eye (normal eye pressure is 10-21 mmHg)
• reduce any further damage to your optic nerve
• maintain and preserve your visual field (and prevent further loss of vision)

Laser treatment

Trabeculoplasty involves applying laser to the trabecular meshwork to make the drainage angle work better and increase aqueous fluid outflow thereby reducing the eye pressure.

Click to view SharpHealthcare AAO video on Trabeculectomy

Surgery

There are several surgical options to treat open angle glaucoma.

1. Trabeculectomy involves the creation of a tiny flap in the sclera and conjunctiva called a filtration bleb so that the aqueous fluid can drain out of the eye through the flap and into the bleb thereby lowering the eye pressure

Click to view SharpHealthcare AAO video on Trabeculectomy

2. Glaucoma drainage device involves the implant of a tiny drainage tube in your eye. The glaucoma drainage implant drains the aqueous fluid from the eye into a reservoir placed under the conjunctiva thereby lowering your eye pressure.

Click to view SharpHealthcare AAO video on Glaucoma Implant Surgery

3. MIG (iStent) procedures work by using microscopic-sized devices implanted at the trabecular meshwork to reduce the eye pressures.  As the devices are small, there is usually less risk of complications.  The procedure is usually done in combination with cataract surgery. 

Click to view Glaukos video on iStent Inject

It is important to undergo Glaucoma Eye Examination by your eye doctor regularly (between every 3-6 months) to monitor your eye pressures (if you are at risk) and/or glaucoma control (if you are on glaucoma treatment).

Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. 

If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.