Glaucoma Treatment Options
While glaucoma cannot be cured, effective treatments reduce eye pressure (IOP) and slow progression. Treating glaucoma may differ between individuals based on several factors you'll cover with your doctor during your free consultation.
Prescription Eye Drops
The first line of defense against glaucoma, prescription eye drops help lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by either reducing fluid production within the eye or improving drainage. These drops are often used for open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease. Glaucoma medications may include prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, alpha agonists, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, each working in different ways to regulate fluid levels and relieve pressure. Regular use is essential, as missing doses can allow eye pressure to rise, increasing the risk of optic nerve damage. If eye drops are not sufficient in controlling IOP, additional treatments may be recommended.
Laser Therapy (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty - SLT)
For glaucoma patients with open-angle glaucoma, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) offers a non-invasive alternative to eye drops. This procedure uses a low-energy laser to stimulate the eye’s trabecular meshwork, the drainage system responsible for regulating fluid outflow. By enhancing drainage, SLT can lower eye pressure without requiring daily medication. The procedure is quick, painless, and performed in-office, with results that can last for several years. SLT is often used as a primary treatment for glaucoma or in combination with prescription eye drops for enhanced pressure control.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is an advanced surgical approach designed to improve fluid drainage with minimal disruption to the eye’s natural structures. MIGS procedures typically involve the insertion of tiny drainage stents or the modification of the eye’s fluid outflow pathways, resulting in a lower risk of complications and faster recovery times compared to traditional glaucoma surgeries. These techniques are ideal for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma who require additional pressure reduction beyond medications or laser therapy. MIGS is often performed in conjunction with cataract surgery, making it a convenient option for individuals undergoing both procedures.
Trabeculectomy & Drainage Implants
For patients with advanced glaucoma or cases where other treatments have failed, trabeculectomy or drainage implant surgery may be necessary to achieve long-term eye pressure control. Trabeculectomy involves creating a small flap in the eye’s sclera (the white part of the eye) to form a new drainage channel, allowing excess fluid to escape and lowering IOP. Drainage implants, also known as glaucoma drainage devices or shunts, are tiny medical devices surgically placed to create an alternative drainage pathway when the eye’s natural drainage system is no longer functioning properly. While these surgeries are more invasive than MIGS, they provide effective pressure reduction for individuals with severe or rapidly progressing glaucoma.
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