Trabeculectomy

This surgical procedure lowers the intraocular pressure inside the eye (IOP) in patients
with glaucoma. This is achieved by making a small hole in the eye wall (sclera), covered
by a thin trap-door in the sclera.

What to expect:
After surgery, the eye is initially red and swollen to a variable degree, and the eyelid
may also droop partially. Over a period of weeks to months, this is usually resolved.

Not visible to the naked eye, the drainage bleb can be seen if the patient looks into a
mirror and raises their upper lid. After surgery, patients typically aren’t aware of nor
feel any sensation from the presence of the drainage bleb. Adjustments can be made to
make the bleb more comfortable should complications occur.
Before surgery:
Prior to surgery, patients should continue all drops and tablets according to normal
treatment regimen until the morning of the operation. Blood thinning medications such
as Aspirin, Warfarin and Clopidogrel should also be continued.
Be sure to consult with your clinician about taking blood thinning medication prior to
surgery to assure it’s within the correct therapeutic range.
If patients opt to have the surgery performed under general anesthesia, a pre-operative
assessment of their general health needs to be carried out just before surgery.
Underlying medical conditions including cardiac disease, uncontrolled high blood
pressure and diabetes are addressed prior to scheduling of surgery.
Trabeculectomy surgery typically lasts up to 45 to 60 minutes.