Damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed. Medications are available which reduce the production of aqueous humor within the eye and medications are available to increase the drainage of this fluid from the eye. Eye drops, pills taken by mouth, laser treatments and surgeries are all used to treat glaucoma. Some patients have elevated eye pressures but no evidence of optic nerve damage, and may be carefully followed without treatment. With any type of glaucoma, regular eye examinations are essential to preventing optic nerve damage. The goal of treatment varies from patient to patient. It is not possible to state what eye pressure will be safe for all patients as optic nerves vary in their susceptibility to damage.

Once the diagnosis of glaucoma is established treatment is lifelong and aims to slow the progression of the disease. Glaucoma often cannot be fully cured but with adequate treatment can be controlled. Long-term follow-up with intra-ocular pressure recording, optic disc examination and visual field analysis is therefore imperative.

Most patients with glaucoma require only medication to control the eye pressure. Sometimes, several medications that complement each other are necessary to reduce the pressure adequately.

Surgery is indicated when medical treatment fails to lower the pressure satisfactorily. There are several types of procedures, some involve laser and can be done in the office, others must be performed in the operating room. The objective of any glaucoma operation is to allow fluid to drain from the eye more efficiently. Treatment can save remaining vision but it does not improve eye sight.