{"id":91596460230,"date":"2025-11-18T10:06:41","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augenarzt-banyai.de\/blog\/general\/is-glaucoma-curable-prognosis-target-values-explained-by-dr-med-banyai\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T10:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T08:09:11","slug":"is-glaucoma-curable-prognosis-target-values-explained-by-dr-med-banyai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augenarzt-banyai.de\/en\/blog\/glaucoma\/is-glaucoma-curable-prognosis-target-values-explained-by-dr-med-banyai\/","title":{"rendered":"Is glaucoma curable? Prognosis & target values \u2013 explained by Dr. med. B\u00e1nyai"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of gradual vision loss \u2014 but is the disease curable? Many patients ask this question immediately after diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news up front: Although glaucoma cannot be completely cured, modern therapy can very effectively slow or even stop its progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we explain why early diagnosis is crucial, what the target values for treatment mean, and what the long-term prognosis is for those affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out about glaucoma now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What exactly is glaucoma (green star)?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\"Kopfschmerzen<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease in which the optic nerve is gradually damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, elevated intraocular pressure contributes to this damage, but other factors\u2014such as impaired blood flow or the optic nerve\u2019s individual sensitivity to pressure\u2014can also play a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glaucoma is usually painless, and its symptoms often appear only late, typically once the visual field has begun to be restricted. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness \u2014 it is one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glaucoma \u2013 a chronic but treatable condition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A major difference between glaucoma vs cataracts<\/a> is that glaucoma cannot be cured in the classic sense \u2014 it cannot be completely reversed. Damage already done to the optic nerve is irreversible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news: If glaucoma is detected early and treated consistently, its progression can usually be halted or significantly slowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of every therapy, therefore, is to preserve the patient’s existing vision for as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why isn’t glaucoma curable?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Glaucoma is one of the chronic, progressive diseases of the eye \u2014 this means that it progresses slowly over time and cannot be reversed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease primarily affects the optic nerve, which is damaged by chronically elevated intraocular pressure or inadequate blood supply. The optic nerve is composed of more than a million delicate nerve fibers that transmit visual information from the eye to the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once these fibers are destroyed, they cannot regenerate \u2013 this results in permanent visual field deficits that do not improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is precisely why glaucoma is not curable: the damage already done to the optic nerve cannot be medically repaired. Modern treatment approaches therefore do not aim for a cure, but for stabilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main goal is to stop or slow the progression of the disease \u2013 primarily by consistently lowering intraocular pressure, either medically, by laser therapy, or surgically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earlier glaucoma is detected, the greater the chance of permanently preserving remaining vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Target pressure for glaucoma \u2014 what does it mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every glaucoma therapy has a clear goal: to protect the optic nerve from further damage and to preserve vision for as long as possible. The decisive factor is the so\u2011called target pressure \u2014 an individually defined intraocular pressure at which the optic nerve does not sustain further damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike many other conditions, there are no “one-size-fits-all” values for glaucoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The target value is an individually tailored pressure range that is determined by several parameters: the extent of prior optic nerve damage, baseline intraocular pressure, the patient’s age, and individual risk factors such as circulatory disorders, diabetes, or a family history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is the target value determined?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Examination \/ Factor<\/strong><\/th>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)<\/strong><\/td>Measures the thickness and structure of the nerve fiber layer. Shows whether thinning is already present and thus provides indications of optic nerve damage.<\/td><\/tr>
Visual field test (perimetry)<\/strong><\/td>Assesses functional limitations in vision. Indicates whether vision loss is already affecting everyday life, orientation, or reading.<\/td><\/tr>
Progression of intraocular pressure<\/strong><\/td>Pressure measurements taken at different times can fluctuate. Only regular, structured measurements provide a realistic assessment of risk.<\/td><\/tr>
Individual sensitivity to pressure<\/strong><\/td>This is especially important in normal-tension glaucoma: even “normal” pressure readings can be harmful if the optic nerve is particularly sensitive.<\/td><\/tr>
Personal risk factors<\/strong><\/td>Age, the extent of prior optic nerve damage, circulatory disorders, diabetes, and family history significantly influence the determination of target values.<\/td><\/tr>
Example: Determination of target values<\/strong><\/td>– Early glaucoma, young patient: target approximately 16 mmHg<\/strong>; advanced glaucoma, older patient: target below 12 mmHg<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How is the target value achieved?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the individual target value has been established, the actual therapeutic work begins: the goal is to achieve this pressure level and maintain it over the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various treatment approaches are available and may be combined or adapted depending on the initial condition, the type of glaucoma, and the patient’s preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pharmacological therapy:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, treatment begins with pressure-lowering eye drops. There are different classes of drugs \u2014 including prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These medications lower intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humor production or by improving its outflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selection is made on an individual basis, depending on effectiveness, tolerability, and each patient’s life circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Laser treatment (SLT):<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a gentle, painless laser procedure that targets and improves the outflow of aqueous humor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be used as an adjunct or \u2014 as new studies show \u2014 as a first-line treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially for people who do not tolerate eye drops well or who have difficulty using them regularly, SLT can be an effective long-term alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn more about SLT<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Surgical procedures:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If eye drops and laser treatment are insufficient, or if the disease progresses, surgical interventions are used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include classic procedures such as trabeculectomy, modern minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and pressure-lowering implants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim is always to permanently improve the outflow of aqueous humor and to reduce the pressure to a safe level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Cataract surgery with a pressure-lowering effect:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Especially when lens opacity (cataract) is present, cataract surgery can also lower intraocular pressure\u2014often permanently. Replacing the lens creates more space in the anterior chamber angle and improves pressure dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At B\u00e1nyai Augenheilkunde, we carefully assess before every procedure whether such a dual benefit is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Lifestyle and comorbidities:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Factors such as blood pressure, sleep behavior (e.g., in sleep apnea), stress, or diabetes also affect intraocular pressure and blood flow to the optic nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why good interdisciplinary collaboration with primary care physicians or internists is important. Patients are also advised about lifestyle factors that can support their treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular checks are crucial:<\/strong>
<\/strong>Even if the target level is initially reached, ongoing monitoring is still necessary. The optic nerve can change over time, so the target level may need to be adjusted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At B\u00e1nyai Augenheilkunde, we provide long-term care for patients \u2014 with state-of-the-art diagnostics and individually tailored therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prognosis: What patients can do themselves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to medical treatment, your own active participation is essential. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n

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