Trabeculectomy

Trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure often used in the treatment of glaucoma to relieve intraocular pressure. The procedure involves creating a new drainage pathway for aqueous humor to flow out of the eye. The new drainage hole allows the fluid to flow out of the eye and into a filtering area called a bleb.

Procedure

The trabeculectomy procedure is performed in an operating room under local or general anesthesia. The surgeon creates a small hole in the eye's white part (sclera), covered by a thin trap-door in the sclera. The aqueous humor can now percolate into the bleb where it is absorbed into the venous system.

Indications

Trabeculectomy is indicated for patients with glaucoma who have not achieved sufficient pressure reduction with medical treatment or laser treatment. It is also used for patients with certain types of glaucoma, such as neovascular glaucoma, uveal glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma.

Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential complications associated with trabeculectomy. These can include infection, low eye pressure (hypotony), cataract, and loss of vision.

Postoperative Care

After the procedure, patients will need to use eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation. Regular follow-up visits with the ophthalmologist are necessary to monitor the eye's pressure.

See Also

• Glaucoma
• Eye surgery
• Ophthalmology

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