Glaucoma therapy: Drops, laser or surgery?
Dr Olivia Huang Shares Practical Insights with Optometrists
Santiya William, B.Optom, Ophthalmic Technician & Staff Writer, IECRC
Dr Olivia Huang, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist and Director of Glaucoma at International Eye Cataract and Retina Centre (IECRC), delivered a Primary Eye Care Continuing Education (PECCE) lecture on 1 September 2026, addressing a key question in glaucoma care: Which treatment is right for each patient?
Titled “Glaucoma Therapy: Drops, Laser or Surgery?”, the lecture was held at Connexion, 1 Farrer Park Station Road. It was Dr Huang’s second session in the PECCE series, following her August lecture on glaucoma detection. Attendees earned 2 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) points.
PECCE is a CPE programme organised by IECRC since 2008 and accredited by the Ministry of Health’s Optometrists and Opticians Board (OOB).
With extensive clinical experience in glaucoma management, Dr Huang shared practical insights into the range of treatment options available, including medical therapy, laser procedures and glaucoma surgery. Drawing on real-world clinical practice, she discussed how treatment decisions are guided by each patient’s disease severity, target eye pressure, rate of progression, response to previous treatments, lifestyle and individual needs.
Glaucoma management is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Eye drops remain an important treatment option, but their effectiveness can be affected by side effects, dosing schedules, instillation difficulties and long-term adherence. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) offers an alternative or complementary approach for suitable patients, while surgical interventions—including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage devices—may be considered when further or more substantial eye pressure reduction is needed.
Dr Huang emphasised that there are multiple ways to manage glaucoma, and the most appropriate treatment depends on the individual patient. In clinical practice, she discusses the potential benefits, limitations and considerations of each option with patients, taking into account their clinical findings, treatment goals and preferences. This personalised approach helps patients understand why a particular treatment is recommended and supports informed decision-making throughout their glaucoma care.
The lecture also highlighted the important role of optometrists and opticians in the long-term management of glaucoma. As practitioners who often see patients regularly, they can help identify difficulties with eye drop use, reinforce treatment understanding, monitor for concerning changes and recognise when reassessment by an ophthalmologist may be needed. A sound understanding of the available treatment modalities enables more effective communication and continuity of care between primary eye care practitioners and glaucoma specialists.
Through her clinical and educational work, Dr Huang continues to support collaborative, evidence-based glaucoma care. The session provided attendees with practical insights into the rationale behind different treatment approaches and how these can be tailored to meet the needs of individual patients.
Further PECCE lectures are planned for the remainder of 2026. Details will be available on the Optometrists and Opticians Board website.