How medicines fit in

There is no cure for glaucoma, but treatment can usually prevent it from getting worse and keep your vision intact enough for day-to-day life.

The treatment for glaucoma has improved greatly over recent years and new. It's estimated that thanks to these effective glaucoma treatments, most people diagnosed early with glaucoma in the UK will retain useful sight for life.

All treatment for glaucoma is designed to reduce pressure inside the eye so that it's no longer pressing on - and damaging - the optic nerve behind the eye.

Treatment options include eye drops, tablets, laser therapy and surgery.

Eye drops

Treatment usually begins with daily eye drops to lower the pressure in the eye. There is a wide variety of eye drops which work in different ways. Generally, they work in reducing the amount of watery content of the eye (the aqueous humour) or by increasing the flow of this fluid out of the eye, or both.

For many people with glaucoma, these eye drops will be enough to keep the eye pressure at the right level and stop any further damage, but in some cases, eye drops alone aren't enough and laser treatment or surgery might be needed.

It's very important to use your eye drops exactly as prescribed and to try not to miss any doses even though your vision may seem normal. It's easy to forget to use them when you have no noticeable symptoms, but each missed dose could mean that your vision is reduced a little further. If you're newly diagnosed with glaucoma, it is a good idea to get into a habit with your eye drops right from the start.

If you do miss doses, be honest about it with your healthcare professional. He or she can suggest ways to help you if you're finding it difficult to take the drops.

CA/SS/NON/0097 Date of preparation May 2013

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