There are many factors that the ophthalmologist uses to determine if you have glaucoma. The goal of glaucoma treatment is to prevent or slow further damage from occurring. Your ophthalmologist may recommend eye drops, pills, laser surgery or a surgical operation as therapy. Glaucoma is most often controlled with eye drops that lower the eye pressure. These medications need to be taken as prescribed in order to be effective.
Laser surgery is performed for certain types of glaucoma.
There are two different types of laser surgery. One is used for certain types of open-angle glaucoma to enlarge the drainage tracts of the eye. A different laser procedure is used for angle closure glaucoma to create an opening in the iris to improve the flow of fluid. In certain cases a surgical operation is needed to prevent or slow progression of glaucoma. There are no symptoms associated with the most common form of glaucoma, so it is very important to return regularly for examinations to monitor your glaucoma and your response to therapy.