Various conditions can causeglaucomaand require differenttreatment approaches.
Surgery can target this serious eye condition in various ways.
Learn here about the varying types of glaucoma and the surgical procedures that can work to counter them.
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Trabeculoplasty
Many people undergotrabeculoplastyfor open-angle glaucoma.
As it doesn’t involve an incision, it is a non-surgical procedure.
Trabeculoplasty is considered an appropriate first-line treatment in glaucoma and is often utilized before drops are even started.
Trabeculoplasty can help lower eye pressure by increasing drainage.
The approach originally used was argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT).
If this is not sufficient, the other half can be treated.
The downside of ALT is that it can cause scarring and can’t be repeated.
A somewhat newer approach is selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).
This uses a lower-powered laser but works in much the same way.
Glaucoma Implant Surgery
Another way to reduce pressure in the eye is to use a tube shunt.
This procedure is typically used in cases where conservative measures or trabeculectomy have not been successful.
A tube shunt is also the preferred surgical procedure for certain subtypes of glaucoma, such as neovascular glaucoma.
Other options include iDose TR (travoprost).
The iDose TR is a surgical implant that continuously releases medication.
When used in the eye, they work to bring down pressure in various ways.
This can happen when the colored portion of the eye, the iris, blocks the drainage system.
A laser can create a tiny channel about the size of a pinhole in the iris.
Who May Need Glaucoma Surgery?
Not everyone with glaucoma needs to undergo surgery.
Glaucoma can often be managed with less invasive measures such as medication alone.
Some of these may interfere with the potential success of the procedure, while others remain essential.
But keep in mind that the first few days after surgery are very important for your recovery.
Your eye will be patched initially after the procedure to protect it from injury and infection.
Your eye doctor will give you specific instructions for the procedure you underwent.
Your eye doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drops every hour or two.
Risks and Complications
In many cases, you will recover without incident from glaucoma surgery.
But there may be instances when you experience a complication.
However, you cantake steps to reduce the risk.
The treatment recommended will depend upon the jot down and severity of your glaucoma.
Your eye doctor may prescribe drops to help keep your eye pressure in check.
This is often the first option recommended in addition to laser trabeculoplasty.
You may need to take medication anywhere from one to four times a day.
Your eye doctor may try several different ones before they find the best one for you.
They may even recommend taking several medications at the same time to lower pressure sufficiently.
If these approaches, either alone or in combination, are not sufficient, surgery may be recommended.
Surgical approaches work in different ways, from increasing drainage to reducing the fluid produced in the eye.
Your eye doctor can help you navigate the options and determine the best approach.
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Bright Focus Foundation.Tube shunt drainage devices for glaucoma.
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Senthil S, Dada T, Das T, et al.Neovascular glaucoma - a review.Indian J Ophthalmol.
2021;69(3):525-534. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_1591_20
UT Southwestern Medical Center.Microinvasive glaucoma surgery or MIGS offers reduced risks.
Bright Focus Foundation.Glaucoma surgery series: cyclophotocoagulation.
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UPMC.Can you prevent glaucoma?
3 things to start doing now.
