1. ¹Glaucoma Unit, Memorial Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt
2. ²Basel University Eye Clinic, Basel, Switzerland

Correspondence: T Shaarawy, MD, Glaucoma Surgery Research Group, University Eye Hospital, Mittlere St. 91 Basel 4012 Switzerland. Tel: +41 61 2658781; Fax +41 61 265 8652; E-mail: shaarawy@glaucoma-surgery.com

Received 10 April 2003; Accepted 5 November 2003; Published online 16 April 2004.

Abstract

Reducing IOP is presently the evidence based, most accepted and most practised therapeutical approach for glaucoma patients. Currently topical ocular hypotensive medications, with its different classes, as well as filtering surgery (trabeculectomy and non-penetrating glaucoma surgery) are in the forefront of therapeutic modalities for IOP reduction. This article looks at the potential advantages and disadvantages of topical medications versus filtering surgery. It does not directly address the question of initial treatment of glaucoma, or what is the better treatment of glaucoma, as other review articles had, but rather looks in a more specific on the pros and the cons of each in relation to IOP reduction. In other words this article deals with the situation once the decision has been made to reduce IOP.