Procedures
Topical Treatments
Eye Drops, Other Medications Slow Glaucoma Progression
There is no cure for glaucoma. Treatment is designed to control glaucoma to prevent vision loss for the rest of one’s life. Glaucoma must be monitored several times a year to assure the treatment is still effective. Often treatment must be adjusted to maintain control of the disease.
Using one or more eye drops daily helps lower eye pressure and prevent the progression of glaucoma. Commonly used eye drops include:
- Latanoprost (Xalatan)
- Bimatoprost (Lumigan)
- Travoprost (Travatan)
- Dorzolamide (Trusopt)
- Brinzolamide (Azopt)
- Timolol (Timoptic)
- Brimonidine (Alphagan P)
Prevent Vision Loss
The best way to prevent visual loss from glaucoma is through regular eye examinations by an eye doctor. Your eye doctor will help you to determine the most appropriate follow-up schedule.
More frequent examinations (every 1-2 years) are recommended if you have any problems with your vision or have a family history of glaucoma. More frequent examinations are also recommended if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
For children, routine annual screening examinations by the pediatrician are usually sufficient, unless an eye appears abnormal or if the child has trouble seeing.
