For any person suffering from glaucoma the final decision as to whether to opt for eye surgery or laser treatment may rest with him or her self.

But it is usual that the advice of a doctor is followed, who can more ably describe to the patient just what is involved in both treatments, and who is after all more knowledgeable in such matters, than the patient.

These are a few of the options open to the patient and doctor when contemplating eye surgery.

Treatment of Glaucoma by Eye Surgery.

Trabeculectomy. This is a microsurgical operation for the treatment of glaucoma.

n  A small piece of tissue is removed from the mesh network at the filter angle which has become clogged, to create an opening for the drainage of the eye fluid, aqueous humor.

n  A new filter pathway is so created to drain the eye fluid.

n  The new pathway is made by using a small piece of tissue (a filtering bleb!) from the conjunctiva which is the covering of the white part of the eye.

n  The cyst like bleb is then placed at the top of the eye under the upper eyelid.

n  This newly created drainage lets the eye fluid  flow from the eye, into the bleb, and pass into the capillary blood circulation. This kind of surgery is the most common and effective in reducing eye pressure.

Viscocanalostomy. Is another surgical method of reducing eye pressure.

n  A piece of the eye wall ( Sclera) is removed.

n  This removal leaves only a very thin membrane of tissue, and the aqueous fluid can more easily drain away.

n  While this kind of surgery is less invasive into the eye than other methods, it is not as effective.

Glaucoma Implants or Tubes. Also known as Aqueous Shunt Surgery. The tubes are artificial drainage devices which are used to reduce eye pressure.

n  These are microscopic tubes with a reservoir attached.

n  The reservoir is placed under the tissue of the conjunctiva.

n  The microscopic tube extending from the reservoir is placed inside of the eye, creating a new drainage pathway, for the aqueous humor fluid to drain from the eye, thus alleviating pressure on the optic nerve.

Sometimes the surgeon may choose to create alternative fluid drainage pathways, and while glaucoma surgery is usually effective, there is always the risk of complications like infections or bleeding.

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