What Is Glaucoma Surgery?
There are several types of glaucoma surgery, all of which aim to improve drainage of ocular fluids. Conventional glaucoma surgery, or trabeculectomy, involves removing eye tissue to create a new drainage path for the eye fluids. There are also laser surgery options, including trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation. In trabeculoplasty, the doctor uses a laser to burn the ciliary tissue (the part of the eye that controls the flow of ocular fluid), which improves the eye’s internal drainage. Iridotomy is most useful for cases in which the iris is blocking eye fluids from drainage; this procedure creates a small hole in the iris to allow drainage. Finally, cyclophotocoagulation is similar to trabeculoplasty in that it burns ciliary tissue. This technique is often used for patients for whom other glaucoma surgeries have failed.
