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Glaucoma Treatment & Surgery Options

Glaucoma is an eye disease that results from increased pressure within the eye caused by fluid backup. Over time, this elevated pressure will cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to blindness.

Early detection is the key to saving your sight. A simple test during regular eye exams can catch glaucoma in its earliest stages.

Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, pills, laser surgery, traditional surgery or a combination of these methods. The goal of any treatment is to prevent loss of vision, as vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible.

Medications and eye drops are the usual first course of action in treating glaucoma. Following your doctors' directions is crucial in preventing damage and loss of sight.

When medications do not achieve the desired results, or have intolerable side effects, your ophthalmologist may suggest surgery. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation offers a number of innovative procedures for surgically treating glaucoma, including:

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Irectomy or Laser Iridotomy