Treatment

Treatment options for glaucoma are always evolving  another reason to visit your eye doctor regularly to screen for the condition. Be sure to ask for a contrast test, which can help identify subtle changes in contrast sensitivity due to the loss of retinal cells. Also, ask for the HRT and pachymetry  a test to measure corneal thickness.

As a rule, elevated eye pressure can be managed with eye drops, medication, laser treatment or surgery. If detected early, eye drops most likely will be prescribed to control the pressure and prevent peripheral vision loss from advancing glaucoma.

Response to treatment is as varied as the patients themselves. Regardless of which treatment a doctor chooses (based on the patient's medical history and eye findings), the patient must understand that it is vital to follow the medical prescription regimen and to have regular follow-up eye exams. Eye drops are most commonly prescribed, although oral medications may also be used.