Surgery for Advanced Glaucoma: What to Expect

 If you’ve been living with glaucoma, you know better than anyone how challenging it can be to manage. While medications and laser treatments can certainly help in the early stages, there comes a point if you have advanced glaucoma when surgery may be the best option to protect your vision.

Although it can initially feel overwhelming, our highly experienced team at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, New York, is here to help you understand the process. Knowing what to expect from glaucoma surgery can help ease the uncertainty and guide you toward the best decision for your eye health. We’ll break it down for you! 

When is glaucoma surgery necessary? 

We generally recommend glaucoma surgery when other treatments like eye drops, medications, or laser therapy haven’t effectively controlled the pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure). Elevated eye pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss, so surgery aims to lower this pressure. So, if your vision continues to worsen despite various attempts, surgery can offer a more permanent solution to protect your eyes. 

Types of glaucoma surgery 

Different surgical options depend on the type and severity of glaucoma. The most common types include: 

Trabeculectomy 

Trabeculectomy is one of the most common surgeries for advanced glaucoma. It involves creating a small drainage flap in your eye to allow fluid to escape, reducing intraocular pressure. 

Tube shunt surgery

If you’re not a candidate for a trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery is another option. This procedure involves placing a small tube in your eye to help drain excess fluid and lower pressure. 

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

MIGS procedures are less invasive than traditional surgeries, offering quicker recovery times and fewer risks. These are often used earlier in glaucoma progression or alongside cataract surgery. 

What to expect during surgery

Glaucoma surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Here’s what you can generally expect: 

Presurgery preparation

You may be given eye drops to dilate your pupils or local anesthesia to numb your eye. 

The procedure

Depending on the type of surgery, the procedure can last between 30 minutes to two hours. 

Postsurgery care 

After surgery, your eye will be covered with a protective shield, and we’ll give you specific eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation. 

Ultimately, surgery for advanced glaucoma can be a vital step in protecting your vision and preventing further vision loss. Understanding the different surgical options and the procedure can help you feel more confident and prepared for the journey ahead. 

So, if you have advanced glaucoma and are considering surgery, click here to set up an appointment with our team of experts today.