Glaucoma Treatment Cost in India

Glaucoma treatment in India typically ranges from $500 to $6,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually linked to raised eye pressure. Treatment is usually lifelong, and costs depend on:

• Diagnostic tests: eye pressure, OCT of the optic nerve, visual fields and gonioscopy.
• Eye drops: a recurring monthly cost.
• Laser treatment: selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) or laser iridotomy.
• Surgery: trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

The AAO describes two main types:

• Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type, painless and slow, often with no symptoms until vision is lost.
• Angle-closure glaucoma: the drainage angle closes; an acute attack is an emergency.
• Emergency signs: sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea and vomiting.

The AAO notes that vision lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered, so early diagnosis matters.

• Eye drops: usually the first treatment; they must be used every day.
• SLT laser: can lower pressure and may reduce or delay the need for drops.
• Laser iridotomy: for angle-closure glaucoma.
• Surgery: when pressure is not controlled despite drops and laser.

Regular follow-up visits with pressure checks and visual fields are needed for life.

• Assessment: a full glaucoma work-up is usually completed in one or two days.
• Laser: a quick outpatient procedure.
• Surgery: plan for about one to two weeks in India for early follow-up checks.
• Bring: previous pressure readings, visual field reports and a list of drops used.