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Glaucoma Surgery

When is Surgery A Viable Option For Treating Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often caused by too much pressure inside the eye. While surgery is not the first option for treatment, it may be necessary when other treatments fail. The goal of glaucoma surgery is to lower intraocular pressure by increasing fluid drainage.

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While medicated eye drops are often prescribed to lower pressure levels, they may not be effective for everyone, particularly in cases of high pressure or when the side effects of medication outweigh the benefits. In such situations, glaucoma surgery may be necessary.

If sugery is recommended, our team of expert eye doctors in Glenn Dale, MD, may recommend glaucoma surgery.

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The Most Common Types Of Glaucoma Surgery


One of the most common types of glaucoma surgery is minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

MIGS is less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery and is typically performed on an outpatient basis, lasting around 10-15 minutes.

It includes procedures such as

  • Trabecular micro-bypass surgery
  • Canaloplasty

Other types of glaucoma surgery can include laser surgeries, such as

  • Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT),
  • Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)
  • Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI)
  • Cyclo photocoagulation.

These procedures aim to open blockages in the eye and create tiny holes to facilitate fluid drainage.

Conventional Non-Laser Glaucoma Surgery


If laser surgery is ineffective, conventional non-laser glaucoma surgeries may be required. These include.

  • Trabeculectomy
  • Drainage implant surgery
  • Electrocautery

Trabeculectomy involves removing some of the inner tissue mesh to facilitate fluid drainage.

Drainage implant surgery involves inserting a tiny tube inside the eye to help with fluid drainage.

Electrocautery uses a heated device to relieve fluid pressure.

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What Are The Risks Associated With Glaucoma Surgery?

What Are The Benefits of Glaucoma Surgery?

While laser surgeries for glaucoma have minimal recovery time, they may come with some side effects, including:

  • Swelling
  • Soreness
  • Dry eye
  • Scratched cornea
  • Blurry vision

Invasive surgeries like trabeculectomy and implant surgery have more risks and require longer recovery times.

Our team of compassionate eye doctors in Glenn Dale, MD, are happy to discuss the potential risks and benefits to help you find the best treatment option.

Studies have shown that in older patients, glaucoma filtering surgery has a success rate of 70-90% for at least one year, as documented in most studies with one-year follow-ups.

If other glaucoma treatments are unsuccessful or unsuitable, then glaucoma surgery could be the solution, and it can help protect your optic nerve and prevent vision loss.

Glaucoma surgery can be repeated if your eye’s opening closes again after your initial surgery. While surgery may not restore the vision you’ve lost because of glaucoma, it can help protect your remaining vision.

Routine, comprehensive eye exams are critical for detecting and treating glaucoma, so schedule your appointment today.

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Serving Opthalmology Patients From:

College Park | Glenn Dale | Washington, D.C | Bowie | and throughout MD

  • Early detection is key, so knowing the early symptoms of glaucoma could go a long way toward preventing and treating this common eye disease.
  • Glaucoma testing involves measuring internal eye pressure and a detailed scan of the retina for signs of disease.
  • Do you need glaucoma surgery? Trabeculectomy, or glaucoma filtration surgery, can help prevent your glaucoma from worsening.
  • Has your eye doctor recommended glaucoma laser treatments? They can help manage your glaucoma and reduce the chance that this serious eye condition will worsen. Learn about the different kinds of glaucoma laser treatments available.
  • Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions caused primarily by the buildup of pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve. While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are ways to manage it.
  • Have you been thinking about getting glaucoma surgery? MIGS, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, can help prevent your glaucoma from getting worse.
  • Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over 60. Every year approximately 22% of people diagnosed with glaucoma undergo glaucoma surgery.
  • We all know smoking isn’t good for our health, but did you know it can also affect our eyes? Find out how smoking and glaucoma are connected.
  • Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide. Early detection is key to preventing permanent damage to your eyes. Learn more about the causes of glaucoma and its risk factors, and find out your eye doctor can help.
  • Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness and vision loss.  By the time glaucoma symptoms appear, a person may have already suffered irreversible vision loss. A comprehensive eye evaluation is the best way to detect glaucoma early and prevent vision loss.