How is Glaucoma Surgery Performed?
Although glaucoma can sometimes be treated using medicated eye drops, many times it requires surgery as a longer term solution. There are two mains types of glaucoma surgery: • In a trabeculectomy, a flap is made in the wall of the eye, in which a window is cut. The flap is they loosely re-attached, allowing fluid to flow out through it. Over time, scar tissue may build up on this flap, requiring the surgery to be performed multiple times. • Small tubes can be inserted into the drainage canals in the eyes, allowing the fluid to pass through the eye in a normal manner. Although both of these surgeries can be very effective at relieving increased pressure in the eye, they are both considered to be a temporary solution, as no permanent cure from glaucoma has been discovered. It may be necessary to have both surgeries multiple times in order to reduce the symptoms of glaucoma and to prevent blindness.
