Can glaucoma be treated without surgery?

Glaucoma does not necessarily require surgery. For some patients in the early stages or with stable conditions, eye pressure can be effectively controlled and disease progression delayed through medication or laser treatment. However, timely surgical intervention is necessary when the condition is severe or conservative treatments prove ineffective. If symptoms such as eye pain, blurred vision, or headaches occur, prompt medical attention is recommended.

In early primary open-angle glaucoma, where intraocular pressure is only mildly elevated and there is no significant optic nerve damage, first-line treatment typically involves anti-glaucoma medications that either reduce aqueous humor production or enhance its outflow to stabilize eye pressure. Long-term, regular medication use and periodic monitoring are essential.

In early-stage angle-closure glaucoma, laser peripheral iridoplasty or iridectomy can be performed to relieve pupillary block and prevent angle closure, thereby avoiding sudden spikes in eye pressure. However, if the disease progresses rapidly, with optic nerve atrophy or visual field defects developing, and medication or laser therapy becomes ineffective, surgical intervention is required to control the condition and prevent blindness.

Daily precautions include avoiding prolonged bending or head-down positions, minimizing emotional fluctuations to prevent increased eye pressure, maintaining regular sleep patterns without staying up late, reducing intake of spicy and stimulating foods, regularly monitoring intraocular pressure, and adjusting treatment plans according to medical advice.