Treatment Options

Because vision loss caused from glaucoma is permanent and cannot be reversed, it’s important to get treatment before more damage is done. Treatment options for glaucoma include eyedrops, laser treatment as well as surgical procedures.

Medication/ Eye Drops

Many glaucoma patients can have their disease controlled by prescription eye drops. These must be used every day and sometimes multiple drops may be used at the same time. These medications work by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid that the eye produces. Less aqueous fluid results in lower eye pressure. Other eye drops may help the aqueous fluid flow better through the eye’s natural drainage system.

Laser Surgery

In the past few decades, laser treatment has become one of the primary ways that doctors can treat glaucoma. Laser glaucoma surgery can only be used on certain types of glaucoma and it depends on the severity of the disease. There are multiple types of lasers that can be used to treat glaucoma, including an SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) for patients that have primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) for treatment of narrow angles and narrow-angle glaucoma, as well as Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). During your glaucoma eye exam, our doctor will help determine if laser glaucoma surgery is needed and which option might be best for you.

MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery)

One of the most recent developments in glaucoma treatment is the invention of MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery). At Advanced Eye & Laser Center of Mansfield, our surgeon uses the iStent Inject device that is typically used in conjunction with cataract surgery. This treatment can greatly reduce eye pressure and often lead to less drops or no drops being needed to control high intraocular pressure, resulting in a better quality of life.