Remembering your glaucoma eye drops every day can be hard. So can getting the drop into your eye, keeping up with refills, or fitting several medicines into your routine. If this sounds familiar, there may be another option worth discussing with your eye doctor.

In a recent AARP article, glaucoma specialist Karen Allison, M.D., explains how tiny implants that release medicine over time may reduce the need for daily eye drops. 

Dr. Allison serves on the Prevent Blindness board and The Glaucoma Community’s Expert Advisory Council. In the article, she highlights common reasons people miss their drops, such as forgetting, running out, or falling asleep before taking them. 

See more: Eye Drop Fatigue: How to Stay Consistent Without Burning Out

Why Longer-Lasting Treatment Matters

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries messages from your eye to your brain. Lowering eye pressure helps protect that nerve and reduce the risk of further vision loss. Eye drops are one way to do this, but taking them as prescribed is an ongoing part of treatment.

One challenge is that glaucoma often has no early symptoms. You may feel fine and see well even while damage is developing. That makes it important to follow your treatment plan rather than use symptoms to decide when you need medicine. 

A sustained-release treatment delivers medicine slowly over time. Instead of putting every dose into your eye yourself, a doctor places a small implant inside the eye to release the drug.

For someone who struggles with daily treatment, that could ease part of the workload. It also gives you something specific to ask about if your current routine is hard to manage.

Still, fewer drops does not mean your glaucoma is cured. Current treatments cannot restore sight already lost from glaucoma. The goal is to protect the vision you have. 

How Do Glaucoma Medicine Implants Work?

Two options highlighted by AARP are DurystaⓇ (bimatoprost intracameral implant) and iDose TRⓇ (travoprost intracameral implant). Both are approved to lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. 

These implants deliver medicine. They are different from drainage devices used to help fluid leave the eye.

Durysta is a tiny implant containing bimatoprost, a pressure-lowering medicine. A doctor injects it into the front part of the eye, where it slowly releases medicine and eventually breaks down. Its effects can last for several months.

There is an important limit: under its current U.S. prescribing information, Durysta should be used only once per eye. Repeat treatment is not recommended because of the risk of losing cells that help keep the cornea clear. The cornea is the clear front surface of your eye. 

iDose TR contains travoprost, another pressure-lowering medicine. A doctor places it through a small opening in the eye and anchors it in position. Unlike Durysta, it does not dissolve.

iDose TR is designed for extended medicine delivery. However, you should not assume an implant will keep you free of drops for a set number of years. Ask your doctor what results are realistic for your eyes and how they will decide whether you need more treatment.

In January 2026, the FDA approved updated labeling that allows repeat treatment with iDose TR in eligible patients. This involves removing the previous implant and placing another. Your doctor must check the health of your cornea before deciding whether another implant is appropriate. 

Both treatments have risks. Depending on the implant, these may include inflammation, changes in eye pressure, corneal problems, and infection associated with an eye procedure. Some people with corneal disease, a previous corneal transplant, or an active eye infection should not receive these treatments.

What Should You Ask Your Eye Doctor?

Start with the part of treatment that is hardest for you. You might say, “I miss my evening drops,” or “I have trouble squeezing the bottle.” Those details help your doctor understand what needs to change.

Then ask whether a medicine implant is suitable for your type of glaucoma and your eye health. Ask how much it might reduce your need for drops, what the procedure involves, and what follow-up visits you would need. Discuss the risks that matter most for your eyes.

It is also helpful to ask what happens next: How will we know the treatment is working? What would we do if my pressure rises? What might I pay after insurance?

An implant is one option to discuss. Eye drops, laser treatment, and other surgery remain important choices. For example, selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT, helps improve fluid drainage in open-angle glaucoma. Your doctor can explain how these approaches compare for you. Protect & Preserve Your Vision

Keep using your prescribed medicines unless your doctor tells you to change them. Regular visits remain essential, even if an implant reduces your daily drops. 

Managing glaucoma takes steady effort, and treatment should account for the challenges you face at home. Longer-lasting medicine offers another way to approach those challenges. If your drop routine is becoming difficult, bring it up at your next visit. You and your doctor can work toward a plan that protects your vision and is easier to follow.

Sources:

• AARP (September 25, 2026). “4 Medical Breakthroughs for Eye Health”. aarp.org
• Glaucoma Research Foundation. (September 17, 2025). “Making Glaucoma Treatment Even Easier with Sustained Release Medication”. glaucoma.org

The information provided by The Glaucoma Community is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always talk with your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or care. The Glaucoma Community does not endorse specific treatments, providers, or products.