Surgical Treatment for Glaucoma

MIGS involves the insertion of micro stents allowing the fluid of the eye to bypass the blocked trabecular meshwork (drainage pores inside the eye) and thereby lower the intraocular pressure. It is commonly performed in conjunction with cataract surgery and has a modest effect on lowering the intraocular pressure. This is performed by a glaucoma surgeon in a hospital as a day-only procedure, typically under local anaesthetic.

Trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure used to create a small channel in the eye to allow excess fluid to drain out, reducing the pressure inside the eye. The fluid drains into a space under the conjunctiva to form a “drainage bleb”.

Tube shunt surgery is an operation to implant a small silicon drainage device (known as a “tube shunt”) into the eye to help fluid drain out of the eye and lower the intraocular pressure. The shunt is connected to a small silicone plate and is positioned under the conjunctiva.

Trabeculectomy and tube shunt surgery are performed by a glaucoma surgeon in hospital, typically under local anaesthetic and as day only procedures. In some cases, general anaesthetic may be used. These operations usually take 1-2 hours.

Trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery may be recommended for patients with glaucoma when the eye pressure is not adequately controlled with eye drops or laser, and the damage to the optic nerve is progressing. They may also be used in those experiencing side effects from eye drops.