Glaucoma treatment can include eye drops, oral medications, laser treatment, or surgery, depending on the type of glaucoma and how far it has progressed:
Eye drops
The most common treatment, prescription eye drops can lower eye pressure and prevent optic nerve damage. Some eye drops increase fluid drainage, while others reduce the amount of fluid the eye produces. Depending on the desired pressure level, more than one drop may be prescribed.
Oral medications
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and beta blockers are examples of oral medications that can be used to treat glaucoma.
Laser treatment
May be used if eye drops aren't effective.
Surgery
May be used to correct problems that cause fluid buildup and pressure in the eye, such as in childhood glaucoma. Another surgical option is a peripheral iridectomy, which removes part of the iris near its root. A surgeon may also implant a shunt, or tiny tube, into the white part of the eye to help drain excess fluid.