Procedures

Glaucoma Surgery

Glaucoma is a condition that steadily inflicts permanent damage upon a person’s optic nerve. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, however with early detection, damage can be minimized. There are several measures a person can take to slow the condition’s progress and retain their current vision.

The administering of eye drops is typically the first measure taken against the growth of glaucoma. However, the drops used to treat glaucoma often interfere with other medications and may not always be an option. Should the condition’s severity warrant the use of surgery, there are two primary surgical procedures commonly used to rid the eye of some of its excess aqueous humor and slow the progress of glaucoma:

1. Trabeculoplasty: Using a laser, the surgeon creates a series of tiny holes where the cornea and iris meet. These holes allow for more aqueous humor to drain from the eye, reducing pressure against the optic nerve.

2. Trabeculectomy: Commonly used for more advanced cases of the condition, a trabeculectomy procedure requires the surgeon to create an artificial drainage area in the eye which, like trabeculoplasty, allows for more fluid to exit the eye, relieving much of the pressure inside.