Can glaucoma be cured? What treatment can and cannot do

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, the cable that carries visual information to the brain. Nerve fibres that are lost do not regrow, so glaucoma cannot currently be cured in the sense of reversing damage. The good news is that treatment can slow or stop further damage in the great majority of people.

How treatment works

Every proven treatment works by lowering eye pressure. Options include eye drops; **SLT laser, a quick clinic treatment that improves drainage; laser iridotomy for narrow or closed angles; and surgery** such as trabeculectomy, drainage devices or minimally invasive procedures when pressure remains too high.

Exceptions worth knowing

In angle-closure disease, laser iridotomy or lens surgery can treat the underlying mechanism and, if done before damage, may effectively prevent glaucoma — see angle closure. Cataract surgery can also lower pressure in some eyes — see cataract surgery with glaucoma.

Why early diagnosis matters

Glaucoma usually causes no symptoms until it is advanced. Regular eye tests — especially over 40 or with a family history — catch it early, when treatment protects the most sight. See what a glaucoma test involves.

Sudden severe eye pain with redness, haloes, blurred vision, headache or vomiting can be acute angle-closure glaucoma, an emergency. Go to eye casualty or A&E immediately.

Seeing Ms Tahmina Pearsall

Ms Pearsall diagnoses and treats glaucoma, offers SLT laser, and provides glaucoma second opinions. See glaucoma care.

Ms Tahmina Pearsall is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon who qualified in 1993 and has more than 30 years of experience and over 50,000 procedures performed. She trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital, and sees private patients at multiple clinic locations, including Harley Street in London. Read her full credentials.

Ms Pearsall sees patients at Harley Street, London and other clinic locations. Patients travel from across the UK, including Brighton & Hove and Liverpool, and from Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

The first telephone enquiry is free — arrange a free initial call to explain what happened and check whether a review is likely to help. A full clinical consultation with Ms Pearsall costs £250. Treatment prices are listed on the pricing page and confirmed in writing after examination.

This article is general information written for patients and does not replace an individual examination.