Glaucoma Surgery and Procedures

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve is at risk of damage. The optic nerve is the part of the eye that carries the images we see to the brain. Damage to the nerve is usually associated with elevated pressure inside the eye (called intraocular pressure). Many Americans may be unaware they have this potentially blinding disease because they have no symptoms. If glaucoma cannot be controlled with medications or if drug therapy is inappropriate (e.g. as in pregnancy), the surgical management of the disease will be offered. There are two basic types of surgical management, treatment using a laser and treatment involving surgical intervention.

Conventional Glaucoma Surgery

Conventional glaucoma surgery, or trabeculectomy, also known as filtering microsurgery, is used to reduce intraocular pressure thus preventing or lessening damage to the optic nerve due to rising pressures of glaucoma. In this procedure, a small amount of the trabecular meshwork is removed in the eye to increase outflow of aqueous. The surgeon will make a small incision in the outer part of the eye leaving a flap of tissue to cover the incision. This allows for fluid to slowly be released from the inside of the eye to its outer layers. The resulting flap creates a tiny bump known as a "bleb". The bleb is hidden behind the eyelid therefore, it is not visible. The slow release of fluid from inside the eye allows the eye pressure to drop to normal limits, thereby lessening the detrimental effects on the optic nerve.

Trabeculectomy is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery setting and patients go home following the surgery. Patients are usually provided with intravenous sedation although some may require general anesthesia. Medication may also be required around the eye to prevent movement of the eye during surgery. The success rates for this type of surgery are about 70% to 90% for at least one year. Often, drugs may be required to prevent or retard closure of the bleb (drainage opening). The surgery may be repeated in the same eye if the patient's condition warrants it.