Surgical Treatment Options |
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Some cases of glaucoma can be treated with medications. For others, laser or traditional surgery is required to lower eye pressure.
Common surgeries include: |
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- Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) – For patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. A small hole is made in the iris to increase the angle between the iris and cornea and encourage fluid drainage.
- Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) – For patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). SLT is a non-invasive method to reduce intraocular pressure that is effective in roughly 80% of patients and is repeatable.
- YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (YAG CP) – For patients with severe glaucoma damage who have not been helped with other surgeries. The ciliary body that produces intraocular fluid is destroyed.
- Filtering Microsurgery (Trabeculectomy) – For patients who have not been helped with laser surgery or medications. A new drainage passage is created by cutting a small hole in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and creating a collection pouch between the sclera and conjunctiva (the outer covering of the eye).
- Tube Shunt Surgery – May be recommended for patients with neovascular glaucoma, failed trabeculectomy, or susceptibility to developing scar tissue. A thin, flexible tube (a shunt) with a silicone pouch is inserted in the eye to facilitate drainage.
Trabeculectomy - Trabeculectomy involves creating a tiny drainage hole in the sclera (the white part of the eye) that allows fluid to flow out of the eye, lowering eye pressure. This prevents or reduces damage to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma Drainage Devices: Ex-PRESS® shunt, Ahmed™, and Baerveldt® - Another type of microsurgery involves the placement of glaucoma drainage devices (also known as valves, tubes or shunts). It is usually recommended when the eye pressure cannot be lowered enough with medicine, laser treatment, or trabeculectomy, and also for certain specific types of glaucoma.
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iStent® and Kahook Blade® (minimally invasive) - these minimally invasive techniques are used at the time of cataract surgery or as a stand alone procedure to help direct the flow of fluid through the eye's natural drainage system that has become blocked.
They are generally considered less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery and are intended for patients with mild to moderate damage from open angle glaucoma. |
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Femtosecond Laser Technology (both glaucoma and cataract procedures can be performed) - Glaucomatous eyes are affected from cataract surgery due to the release of energy during phacoemulsification or the process of breaking the cataract into smaller pieces. The femtosecond laser reduces the amount of strain on the eye which helps to minimize further damage.
