Treatments and surgery

Understand your treatment options.

If you are considering treatment, this section explains what common procedures involve, what to expect, and the questions worth asking.

Clinically reviewed · Last reviewed 2026-06-13

All treatments A–Z

Cataract surgery A quick, very common operation that replaces the eye's cloudy lens with a clear artificial one. Laser eye surgery Reshapes the cornea to correct focus and reduce the need for glasses in suitable adults. Glaucoma treatment Lowers eye pressure with drops, laser or surgery to protect the optic nerve and preserve vision. Eye injections (intravitreal) Injections of medicine into the eye to treat retinal conditions such as wet AMD and diabetic eye disease. Dry eye treatment Lubricating drops, eyelid care and simple changes that ease dry, gritty eyes and blepharitis. Corneal cross-linking A procedure that strengthens the cornea to slow or stop keratoconus from getting worse. Glaucoma laser surgery Laser treatment that improves fluid drainage or opens the drainage angle to lower eye pressure in glaucoma. Ptosis surgery An operation that lifts a droopy upper eyelid to improve vision, comfort, and appearance. Scleral lenses Large, rigid contact lenses that vault over the cornea to give clear, comfortable vision in keratoconus and severe dry eye. Amblyopia treatment Patching, glasses, or eye drops that help a weaker eye develop better vision in childhood. YAG laser capsulotomy A quick, painless laser that clears cloudy vision returning months or years after cataract surgery. Punctal plugs Tiny plugs placed in the tear ducts to keep natural tears on the eye for longer in dry eye. Orthokeratology (ortho-k) Special overnight contact lenses that reshape the cornea for clear daytime vision without glasses. Vitrectomy Keyhole surgery to remove the gel inside the eye, used to treat retinal and other back-of-eye problems. Myopia control Treatments to slow short-sightedness progression in children, including ortho-k, atropine drops and outdoor time. Vision therapy Structured eye exercises and training for convergence problems, amblyopia and some squints. Retinal laser treatment A laser procedure to seal retinal tears, treat diabetic eye disease, or reduce swelling in retinal vein blockages. Strabismus surgery Surgery to adjust eye muscles and improve alignment in children and adults with a squint. Corneal transplant Surgery to replace part or all of a damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue to restore vision. Blepharitis treatment Daily eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and sometimes drops or antibiotics to control inflamed eyelid margins. ROP treatment Laser, injections or surgery for severe retinopathy of prematurity when screening finds treatable disease. Trichiasis surgery Eyelid surgery to turn inward lashes away from the cornea in advanced trachoma, part of WHO's SAFE strategy. Mass drug administration How WHO community treatment programmes distribute medicines to prevent trachoma and river blindness — public health, not self-treatment. Blepharoplasty Surgery to remove excess upper or lower eyelid skin and fat; can improve vision when droopy lids block sight.

Common procedures

Explainers focused on what matters to patients.

  • Cataract surgery
  • Laser eye treatment
  • Squint (strabismus) surgery
  • Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
  • Injections for retinal conditions

What to expect

Each treatment page covers preparation, the procedure itself, recovery, and realistic outcomes in plain language.

Questions to ask

We include the practical questions to ask your eye surgeon, so consultations feel less overwhelming.

Frequently asked questions

Is cataract surgery safe?

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and well-established procedures worldwide, usually performed as day surgery. As with any operation it has small risks, which your surgeon will explain.

How long is recovery after eye surgery?

Recovery varies by procedure. Many people resume daily activities within days, while full healing can take several weeks. Your surgeon gives specific aftercare guidance.

Will I need glasses after surgery?

It depends on the procedure and lens choices. Some people reduce their dependence on glasses, but many still need them for certain tasks. Discuss expectations before treatment.

What are anti-VEGF injections for the eye?

They are medicines injected into the eye to treat swelling or abnormal blood vessels in conditions such as wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. They are given in specialist clinics.

Are eye drops with preservatives safe long term?

Occasional use is fine for many people, but frequent use of preserved drops can irritate dry eyes. Preservative-free options exist for long-term lubrication — ask your clinician.

What is laser treatment for glaucoma?

Laser trabeculoplasty helps fluid drain from the eye in some types of glaucoma. It is an outpatient procedure and may reduce or delay the need for extra eye drops.

When is eyelid surgery needed?

Blepharoplasty or ptosis surgery may be considered when droopy lids block vision or cause strain. Cosmetic reasons are separate from medically needed lid surgery.

Can antibiotics treat pink eye?

Only bacterial conjunctivitis may need antibiotic drops. Viral and allergic pink eye are more common and are not helped by antibiotics unless a clinician confirms bacteria.

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