Glaucoma treatments

glaucoma treatments

Glaucoma treatments are medical and surgical approaches used to slow or stop damage to the optic nerve and prevent vision loss. Most treatments focus on lowering the pressure inside the eye because high pressure is a major risk factor for damage. Common options include daily medicated eye drops, laser procedures to improve fluid drainage, and surgeries that create new pathways for fluid to leave the eye. Some newer approaches use tiny drains or implants placed in the eye, and others involve injections or sustained-release devices that deliver medicine over time. Treatment choice depends on the type and stage of glaucoma, how well a person can use eye drops, and their overall health. These approaches matter because glaucoma often causes no symptoms until vision is lost, so effective therapy is the best way to preserve sight. With the right treatment plan, many people maintain useful vision for decades, but poor adherence, side effects, or advanced disease can limit success. Doctors balance benefits and risks when recommending options, and ongoing monitoring helps adjust care as the disease changes. Research continues to produce less invasive and more convenient treatments to reduce side effects and make it easier for people to stick with therapy. Understanding available approaches lets patients take an active role in decisions that protect their vision and quality of life.