Is surgery for glaucoma still necessary at age 80?

Whether or not surgery is necessary for 80-year-old glaucoma depends on the situation. Some older adults can undergo surgery, while others can be treated with medication alone. There are many treatment options for older adults with glaucoma, and common treatments include medication, surgery, and dietary modifications. For 80-year-olds with glaucoma, mild cases can be treated with eye drops to lower intraocular pressure, or with oral medication, which is recommended under a doctor’s supervision. For more severe glaucoma symptoms, surgery may be necessary to minimize other complications. However, because older people have more physical lesions, and some have chronic conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure, a decision on whether or not to operate needs to be made after considering all factors. There are more causes of glaucoma at age 80, and there will be more treatment options. It is recommended that the cause of the disease be determined and the actual physical condition of the older person be taken into account before deciding whether or not to have surgery.