Can glaucoma be fixed with surgery​?

No, glaucoma cannot currently be cured or completely fixed with surgery. However, glaucoma surgery can help control the condition and protect your sight.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries information from your eye to your brain. If the damage continues, it can cause permanent sight loss. Treatment aims to lower the pressure inside the eye and reduce the risk of more damage. This may involve eye drops, laser treatment or surgery.

For some people, surgery may be needed when other treatments are not enough. It can help lower eye pressure and slow the progress of glaucoma. However, it cannot bring back sight that has already been lost.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve.

The eye contains a clear fluid called aqueous humour. This fluid normally drains away from the eye. If it does not drain properly, pressure can build up inside the eye. This pressure can damage the optic nerve over time.

Glaucoma does not always mean that your eye pressure is high. Some people can develop damage to the optic nerve even when their eye pressure is within the normal range.

Glaucoma can develop slowly, and many people do not notice any symptoms at first. This is why regular eye checks are important.

Can glaucoma surgery cure glaucoma?

Glaucoma surgery cannot cure the condition. It is used to help control glaucoma and reduce the risk of further damage to the optic nerve.

Surgery can lower the pressure inside the eye by helping fluid drain away more easily. This may help slow down the loss of vision caused by glaucoma.

Any sight that has already been lost because of glaucoma usually cannot be restored. The main goal of treatment is to protect the vision you still have.

What does glaucoma surgery do?

The main aim of glaucoma surgery is to improve the flow of fluid out of the eye.

There are several types of glaucoma surgery. The best option will depend on the type of glaucoma you have, your eye pressure, how your glaucoma is progressing and your overall eye health.

Your eye specialist will explain which treatment may be right for you.

When is glaucoma surgery needed?

Many people with glaucoma can control their eye pressure with eye drops. Some people may also have laser treatment.

Surgery may be considered when these treatments are not lowering eye pressure enough or when glaucoma continues to get worse. It may also be considered in some people where a lower eye pressure is needed to protect their sight.

This does not mean that surgery is always the next step. Your eye specialist will look at your test results and discuss the benefits and risks of each treatment with you.

Can surgery reduce the need for eye drops?

In some cases, glaucoma surgery can reduce the amount of glaucoma medicine a person needs.

For example, after a successful trabeculectomy, some people may be able to use fewer glaucoma eye drops. However, this is not guaranteed. You may still need eye drops after surgery to keep your eye pressure under control.

You should never stop your glaucoma medicine unless your eye specialist tells you to.

What types of glaucoma surgery are there?

There are several types of surgery and laser treatment for glaucoma.

One common operation is called a trabeculectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a new drainage route for fluid to leave the eye. This helps lower the pressure inside the eye.

Other procedures can improve the natural drainage system inside the eye. Some may use a very small device to help fluid drain away. There are also laser treatments that can improve drainage or reduce the amount of fluid made by the eye.

What is laser treatment for glaucoma?

Laser treatment is different from traditional glaucoma surgery, but it can also help lower eye pressure.

One example is selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT. It can be used for some people with open-angle glaucoma. The laser helps the eye's drainage system work better so that fluid can leave the eye more easily.

Some people may be able to use laser treatment instead of, or alongside, eye drops. Your specialist can tell you if it is suitable for you.

What happens after glaucoma surgery?

Your recovery will depend on the type of treatment you have.

It is normal for the eye to feel sore or watery after some types of glaucoma surgery. Your vision may also be blurred for a while. You will usually need eye drops after surgery to help the eye heal and reduce the risk of problems.

You will also need follow-up appointments. These allow your eye specialist to check your eye pressure and make sure your eye is healing as expected.

Can glaucoma come back after surgery?

Glaucoma is a long-term condition, so surgery does not mean that you no longer need eye care.

The operation may control your eye pressure for a long time, but your eyes will still need to be checked. In some cases, further treatment may be needed if eye pressure rises again or glaucoma continues to progress.

Regular follow-up is an important part of protecting your sight.

Can glaucoma surgery improve your vision?

Glaucoma surgery is not designed to improve vision that has already been lost.

Its main purpose is to lower eye pressure and help prevent or slow further damage to the optic nerve.

This is why finding and treating glaucoma early is so important. The earlier glaucoma is managed, the better the chance of protecting the vision you still have.

Is glaucoma surgery safe?

Like any operation, glaucoma surgery has possible risks and side effects.

These can include bleeding, infection, inflammation and changes in eye pressure. Some people may also develop a cataract after certain types of glaucoma surgery. Serious complications are uncommon, but your specialist will explain the risks before treatment.

Your specialist will also explain what you can expect during recovery and what symptoms you should look out for.

When should you seek urgent help?

Some types of glaucoma can develop suddenly and need urgent treatment.

Severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, coloured rings around lights, a headache, nausea or vomiting can be signs of acute glaucoma. If these symptoms happen suddenly, seek urgent medical help.

Can glaucoma be prevented from getting worse?

While there is currently no cure for glaucoma, treatment can help slow down damage and protect your sight.

The most important thing is to follow the treatment plan given to you and attend your follow-up appointments. This allows your eye care team to monitor your eye pressure, optic nerve and vision.

If you have glaucoma, do not wait for your vision to change before seeking care. Glaucoma can cause damage before you notice any symptoms.

Could vision correction be right for you?

Glaucoma surgery cannot cure glaucoma, but it can play an important role in controlling the condition and protecting your sight. The right treatment depends on your type of glaucoma and your individual eye health.

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

Your best vision could still be ahead of you.