Can glaucoma be cured with eye drops​?

No, eye drops cannot cure glaucoma. But they can help control the condition and protect your sight. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve, which carries signals from your eyes to your brain. If the damage gets worse, it can lead to permanent sight loss.

The good news is that treatment can slow down or stop glaucoma from getting worse. For many people, this includes using eye drops every day and having regular eye checks.

If you have been told you have glaucoma, you may have questions about your treatment. You may also wonder if you will need to use eye drops for the rest of your life. Here is what you need to know.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve. This nerve sends information from your eye to your brain, allowing you to see.

Glaucoma is often linked to high pressure inside the eye. This can happen when fluid in the eye does not drain as it should. The pressure can then damage the optic nerve over time.

However, glaucoma can also happen when the pressure in the eye is within the normal range. This is why eye pressure is only one part of a glaucoma check.

Glaucoma can develop slowly and may not cause any clear symptoms at first. Regular eye tests can help find signs of glaucoma before you notice changes to your sight.

How do glaucoma eye drops work?

Glaucoma eye drops are used to lower pressure inside the eye. Different types of drops work in different ways.

Some drops reduce the amount of fluid made by the eye. Others help fluid drain from the eye more easily. By lowering eye pressure, the drops can reduce the risk of further damage to the optic nerve.

Your eye specialist will choose the type of drop that is right for you. Some people may need more than one type of eye drop to control their eye pressure.

How long do glaucoma eye drops take to work?

The time it takes for eye drops to work depends on the medicine you are using.

For example, some medicines can start lowering eye pressure within a few hours. Other medicines may take longer to reach their full effect. Your eye specialist will tell you how and when to use your drops.

It is important to use your drops as prescribed, even if your eyes feel fine.

Can eye drops reverse glaucoma damage?

No. Glaucoma treatment cannot usually reverse damage that has already happened to the optic nerve.

Instead, treatment aims to protect the sight you still have. Lowering eye pressure can help slow down or prevent further damage.

This is why finding glaucoma early is so important. If glaucoma is found before major sight loss occurs, treatment may help protect your vision for many years.

Can glaucoma get worse while using eye drops?

It is possible for glaucoma to continue getting worse even when you are using eye drops. This does not always mean that the treatment has failed.

Your eye specialist will monitor your eye pressure, optic nerve and vision over time. If your glaucoma is not well controlled, your treatment may need to change.

You may be given a different type of eye drop or more than one medicine. Your specialist may also talk to you about laser treatment or surgery.

Do you have to use glaucoma eye drops for life?

Many people with glaucoma need long-term treatment. This may mean using eye drops every day for many years.

For example, some people taking medicines such as bimatoprost or brinzolamide may need to continue using them long term if they are helping to control their eye pressure.

Do not stop using glaucoma eye drops unless your eye specialist tells you to. Stopping treatment without advice could allow your eye pressure to rise and increase the risk of further damage.

Regular follow-up appointments are also important, even if your vision seems unchanged.

What happens if eye drops do not work?

Eye drops are not the only treatment for glaucoma. If drops do not lower your eye pressure enough, your specialist may discuss other options with you.

Laser treatment can be used for some types of glaucoma. It can help fluid drain from the eye and lower eye pressure.

Surgery may also be an option if other treatments are not enough to control the condition. The treatment that is right for you will depend on the type of glaucoma you have and how much risk there is to your sight.

Is laser treatment a cure for glaucoma?

Laser treatment does not cure glaucoma either. Like eye drops and surgery, its aim is to control the condition and reduce the risk of further damage.

Some people may still need eye drops after laser treatment. You will also need regular checks to monitor your glaucoma.

Can glaucoma cause blindness?

Glaucoma can cause permanent sight loss if it is not treated. The damage to the optic nerve cannot usually be reversed.

However, treatment can help slow down the condition and protect your remaining vision. This is why it is important to follow your treatment plan and attend your regular appointments.

Glaucoma does not always cause symptoms in its early stages. You may not know that there is a problem until damage has already occurred.

When should you get your eyes checked?

Regular eye tests can help find signs of glaucoma. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of developing the condition, such as having a close family member with glaucoma.

If you have already been diagnosed with glaucoma, you should attend the follow-up appointments recommended by your eye specialist. These checks help your care team see whether your treatment is working.

If you have sudden severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, coloured rings around lights, nausea or vomiting, seek urgent medical help. These can be signs of acute glaucoma and need prompt treatment.

Can you have treatment for glaucoma at My Eye Clinic?

Glaucoma is not currently curable, but the right treatment can help protect your sight. Eye drops are an important treatment for many people, but they are not the only option.

If you are considering vision correction and want to find out if you could be suitable, take our suitability self-test. It can help you understand whether you may be a suitable candidate for treatment and what your next step could be.

Your best vision could still be ahead of you.