Can glaucoma be cured?

No, glaucoma is a chronic, incurable disease – nerve fibres in the optic nerve that have been damaged cannot be regenerated or restored. The aim of every treatment (drops, laser or surgery) is to lower the eye pressure permanently and thus protect the optic nerve from further damage – visual field that has already been lost cannot be regained. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are therefore crucial to preserve the remaining vision.

Which treatment method is right for me?

Treatment usually takes place in stages, depending on the type of glaucoma, the stage, the current eye pressure, the damage to the optic nerve and individual factors: Eye drops (pressure-lowering): first-line therapy for most patients, especially in the early stage SLT laser (selective laser trabeculoplasty): if drops are not enough, are not tolerated or make everyday life difficult Surgery (trabeculectomy, MIGS, tube shunt): if drops and laser do not lower the pressure sufficiently, the optic nerve continues to be damaged despite therapy or there is a very high initial pressure with acute risk

How badly is my optic nerve affected? What stage is my glaucoma?

This question is central to treatment planning and prognosis – patients should ask explicitly about the current degree of damage. The ophthalmologist assesses this with: Visual field test (perimetry): shows which areas of the visual field have already been lost OCT (optical coherence tomography): measures the thickness of the nerve fibre layer at the optic nerve Eye pressure measurement: shows the current pressure (target value individual, usually 12–18 mmHg) Fundoscopy: direct examination of the optic nerve for haemorrhage, cupping and pallor The earlier glaucoma is detected, the better the prognosis – in the early stage it usually causes no symptoms, which is why regular check-ups are recommended from the age of 40 (every 2–3 years) and, with a family history, from the age of 35 (annually)

What is my target eye pressure?

The target pressure is the individual eye pressure at which further damage to the optic nerve can very probably be prevented – it is not the same for all patients. In early glaucoma the target value is often 15–18 mmHg, in advanced glaucoma rather 10–12 mmHg or even in single figures. Patients should ask explicitly: "What is my current eye pressure?" and "What is my personal target pressure?"

Do I still need to use eye drops after the operation?

That depends on the individual case and the type of operation – many patients can significantly reduce the number of drops or even stop them completely, but not all. Studies show that 70–90% of patients need less medication after successful surgery and many become drop-free. With advanced glaucoma or a very high initial pressure, however, drops may still be needed to keep the pressure in the target range – this is monitored and adjusted at the follow-up checks (day 1, week 1, month 1, then every 3–6 months).

Is glaucoma surgery painful? How long does it take?

No, glaucoma surgery is usually pain-free. The eye is numbed locally with anaesthetic eye drops – the patient stays awake throughout the procedure but feels no pain, only a slight feeling of pressure. If needed, a mild sedative can be given; general anaesthesia is only necessary in exceptional cases. The procedure is performed as an outpatient and takes 15–45 minutes per eye depending on the method; the total time in the clinic (including preparation and observation) is about 2–4 hours.

How long is the recovery? When can I work and drive again?

The recovery time depends heavily on the surgical method: MIGS (minimally invasive): 3-7 days SLT laser: 1-2 days Trabeculectomy: 4-8 weeks Tube shunt: 4-6 weeks

How often do I need check-ups after the treatment?

After the operation, close monitoring is necessary: on day 1, after 1 week, after 1 month, then every 3–6 months for life. Glaucoma remains a chronic disease that requires permanent monitoring of eye pressure, the optic nerve and the visual field – even after successful surgery. With drug therapy (drops), check-ups every 3–6 months are usual, or annually once the condition is stable.

What happens if the operation is not enough or the pressure rises again?

In some cases the eye pressure can rise again after an operation or not be lowered sufficiently – this is not a failure but part of long-term glaucoma planning. Possible options are: Readjustment of the filtering bleb (after trabeculectomy) with laser suture lysis or needling Additional eye drops to lower the pressure further Second operation (e.g. tube shunt after a failed trabeculectomy) Combined procedures (e.g. cataract surgery + MIGS if the lens is also clouded) About 10–20% of patients need a further intervention over the years – regular check-ups are therefore crucial so that action can be taken in good time.

Can I have both eyes operated on at the same time?

As a rule, the eyes are operated on one after the other, not at the same time. Most surgeons prefer to operate on one eye first, observe the pressure and healing and then plan the second eye – this minimises the risk of complications in both eyes at once. The interval between the operations is typically 2–6 weeks, depending on how the first eye heals.

What are the risks and complications?

Glaucoma surgery is a routine procedure with a high level of safety, but as with any operation there are risks: Infection (rare <1%): endophthalmitis, requires immediate treatment Bleeding (1-2%): usually harmless Pressure too low / hypotony (occasionally 5-10%): can lead to macular folds, choroidal effusion Cataract formation (common - after trabeculectomy): accelerated clouding of the lens, possibly later cataract surgery Scarring (occasionally 10-20%): the filtering bleb scars, pressure rises again (needling possible) Double vision (rare <5%): usually temporary The risk of serious complications is below 1–2% – a careful preliminary examination and choosing an experienced clinic reduce these risks considerably.

How much does glaucoma surgery cost?

In Austria and Germany, glaucoma surgery is usually fully covered if it is medically indicated. In some cases there is a deductible. The costs per eye are €800-1,500 (SLT), €2,500-5,000 (trabeculectomy), €2,000-3,500 (MIGS) and €2,500-5,500 (tube shunt).In some cases, however, there are considerable waiting times, which is why a procedure abroad can be an advantage. If a medical necessity has been established, statutory health insurance also covers the costs of an operation abroad. Please check with your health insurer in advance, however. The average costs of glaucoma surgery are €500 to €1,000 per eye (SLT laser), €2,000-3,500 (trabeculectomy), €2,200-4,000 (MIGS) and €3,000-5,500 (tube shunt)

Eye Surgery Up to -35%

Glaucoma / Green Star Surgery

Glaucoma — lowering intraocular pressure for good and preserving your eyesight.

Your Price at GO Medics

from €750 (SLT)

Best PriceIncl. consultation & aftercare

Price in DE / AT / CH

€1,150

You save €400

Duration1–2 hours

Recovery timedepending on the procedure: 1–2 days (SLT laser) to 4–8 weeks (trabeculectomy)

Treatment inCroatia & Slovenia

QualityISO-certified

SupportGerman-speaking

About the treatment

Glaucoma, also known as the “green star” in German-speaking countries, covers various eye conditions in which the optic nerve is progressively damaged. Glaucoma surgery primarily aims to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) permanently in order to prevent further damage to the optic nerve and preserve the remaining eyesight — vision that has already been lost cannot be restored by the operation.

Main benefits of glaucoma surgery

1. Effective and lasting reduction of intraocular pressure

Glaucoma operations can lower the intraocular pressure significantly and in the long term — depending on the procedure by about 20–50% compared with the initial value. With normal-tension glaucoma even a single-digit IOP can be reached, which is particularly effective at preventing further loss of visual field.

2. Preserving the remaining eyesight and preventing further damage to the optic nerve

The most important benefit is preserving the eyesight you still have by preventing further damage to the optic nerve. Studies show that a successful reduction in pressure slows or stops the progression of visual field loss — with early surgery, a slight improvement of the visual field can in some cases even be observed.

3. Fewer eye drops, or none at all

Many patients can considerably reduce the number of daily glaucoma eye drops after surgery or even stop them completely — studies show that 70–90% of patients need less medication and many become drop-free. This improves quality of life considerably, as patients no longer have to apply drops every day, which is a real relief especially with long-term therapy involving several preparations a day. It also removes the side effects of the drops (e.g. burning, redness, allergic reactions, systemic effects such as low blood pressure or a slower heartbeat with beta blockers).

4. Better quality of life and less fear of further loss of vision

Patients often report a markedly better quality of life after surgery, because they can go about their daily lives with less anxiety about their eyesight. Stable pressure control and the knowledge that further damage is being effectively prevented reduce the psychological burden considerably.

5. Long-term savings

Although the operation involves costs at first, in the long run it can be more cost-effective than lifelong drug therapy with several eye drops a day over decades. Especially for patients who need several drops a day or whose medication does not work well enough, surgery is an economically sensible alternative.

Important note

Glaucoma surgery is not a cure — glaucoma remains a chronic condition that continues to require regular check-ups. The aim is not improvement but preserving the remaining eyesight. In the first weeks after the operation, the stability of the intraocular pressure is the most important factor in whether central vision improves or deteriorates further — careful aftercare is therefore decisive.

Why GO Medics?

GO Medics connects you with ISO-certified partner clinics in Croatia and Slovenia — with German-speaking support, transparent prices and personal guidance from the first consultation to aftercare.

Your benefits at GO Medics

Lasting pressure reduction — intraocular pressure is significantly and permanently reduced by 20–50%, depending on the procedure.

Optic nerve protection — prevents further damage to the optic nerve and preserves the remaining vision.

Fewer or no eye drops — 70–90% of patients need less medication and many stop using drops entirely.

Better quality of life — no daily drops, less fear of further vision loss, stable pressure control.

Long-term savings — a one-off cost for surgery instead of decades of daily drop therapy.

Fast recovery (with MIGS) — minimally invasive procedures allow a return to everyday life after just 3–7 days, far quicker than classic trabeculectomy (4–8 weeks).

Price comparison

DACH region€1,150

GO Medicsfrom €750 (SLT)-35%

Savings€400

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